Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-07-18
AusREy's GREAT RIDES.
Remarkable Journeys on Horseback
Across the Western Plains.
IBy Chas. Blanchard. ]

by Chas. Blanchard
Among the deeds Of early life In the
west the famous rides Of F. X. Aubrey
from the plaza Of Santa Fe to the pub.
lie square Of Independence. Mo-, as q
physical achievement, stands without
an equal. Indeed, 1t is doubtful II the
history of the world can present par
Rllel to that great ride Of 800 miles,
through country overrun with hos
tile Indians, a large part of the dis
lance being through sandy deserts,
and leading across rivers. mountains
and prairies, with only the sky TO-
covering and the earth as a resting
place.
An old friend Of Independence, who,
knew Aubrey well, in conversation re-
lated the following to me. years ago.
Il first met Aubrey in 1S4S, he was
a young man Of about So, the perfect
picture of health and strength, short,
rather heavy set, weighing about 160
pounds, he had an honest, open coun-
tenance and was one of the rising
men of the plains. He was a French
Canadian, came to st. Louis in 1910,
and very soon afterwards engaged in
business as Santa Fe trader. making
trips to Santa Fe from independence,
Mo-, and spending the larger part Of
his time in the saddle.
He was a noted horseman, and
spared neither man nor beast when on
a journey. Everything he did was
done with a rush.
aubrey made two rides alone from
Santa Fe to independence. The first
was ON wager Of $1,000 thar he
could cover the distance in eight
days. He succeeding in reaching his
destination three hours before the ex.
piration of the time He Killed sever.
al horses in the ride and, it Is said,
that the death of one horse on the
way compelled him to walk twenty
five miles to Council Grove, carrying
bis saddle on his back before he found
another. He was the lion Of the day
1t st. Louis and Independence after
that ride. There were many powerful
men and many good rides in those
times. but not one dared 10 attempt
to beat Aubrey's record. He deter.
mined to beat 1t himself, and on a
second wager, he left Santa Fe in 49,
81 and gave the severest test Of hu-
man endurance l have ever known.
II was on my way to Santa Fe with
twenty-five wagons filled with mer-
chandise and l knew nothing Of his
design. When we were at Rabbit Ear
Hill, 175 miles from the old Spanish
City, we saw a man approaching In a
sweeping gallop mounted on yellow
mare and leading another horse. As
he came nearer, mistaking us for In
tlians he whirled and retreated a
short distance, then turned to take a
second look. Our wagons coming
around the hill proved that we were
friends and putting spurs to his steed,
he dashed past. merely nodding his
head as the dust few into our faces.
1t was surprise to me for Aubrey to
treat friend in that style, but when
reached Santa Fee, understood 1t all.
Every moment was precious. It was
the supreme effort Of his life might
and day he rushed on. Six horses
dropped dead as he rode them.
"His own beautiful mare, Nellie,
the one he was riding as he passed
our party, and one Of the finest pieces
Of horse flesh I ever saw, quivereJ
and fell In the agonies Of death at the
end Of the first 200 miles. Several
splendid horses had been sent and sta
toned with different trains on the
trail making 1t uncertain where Au-
brey would find them. No man could
keep up with Aubrey. He would have
sacrificed every horse In the west. II
necessary, to the accomplishment Of
his design. II was not money he was
after, but fame.
Eve had laid wager that the trip
would be made In six days.
Eat the end Of Ave days and thir-
teen hours. exhausted and fainting,
he was taken from horse that was
trembling from head to feet and COW
cred with sweat and foam at the
southwest corner Of the present
square Of independence. He sank
into stupor, from which he was not
aroused for forty.eight hours"
"A short time after this last feat
that made Aubrey famous throughout
the west, he was one night sitting
leIsurely In the rotunda of a West
port hotel where a large crowd Of
people we're discussing the merits Of
that great ride, some few advanced
Continued on Page Five.)