The National tribune., 1907-03-21

Atchison His disguise was perfect. Nc
one would suspect him as being sol
der. 1t was almost dark and raining
when he arrived at the old plantation
When he got to the gate he was met by
an old gray-haired man about 20 year!
old, very pleasant and polite. Young
in that part of the country where the
Anderson brothers resided, and the
Quantrill gang was raiding thru tina,
country almost daily. The boys had
been spotted as Union sympathizers
and were compelled, TO make their way
to the front and join the army or be
waylaid by the guerrillas.
On the 18th day of May Capt. Allen
sent for the younger brother. Henry,
who was but II years old and very
small for his age, not over five feet five
inches tall, weighed only a little over
100 pounds and looked to be not over
IA years old, as no one would have
taken him to be soldier. Neither would
anyone have believed him to have had
the amount of experience that he had
gone thru. He had crost the plains in
$50 and also in so, fought Indians at
different times. hunted buffaloes and
wolves and was accustomed to all kinds
of hardships.
The Captain informed him that he
had a very important and dangerous
duty to perform, and wanted to know
If he had the courage to undertake a
task of that kind. Young Hegwer said
that 'if it was in his line Of duty as a
soldier, that when he enlisted he did
not expect to shirk any of the duties
that were required Of him, and that he
was ready and willing to undertake
anything that was possible.
WELL" said the Captain, young man
I am glad to hear you express yourself
as willing to undertake this most haZ-
ardous undertaking. ! do not know Of
anyone in my command capable to I'M
dertake this except you"
This company has been sent here"
said the Captain, "for the purpose of
detecting a band of bushwhackers who
have been kidnapping lot of negros for
the purpose of taking them South and
selling them as slaves" Cat that time
slaves were from $500 to $1,000 per
head, according to their age, in the
Southern States.) 1.-THE place suspect
ed" the Captain said, lis an old slave
plantation about Is miles east of here
that / want you to go to, but you will
have to be very careful in your under
taking or we will never see you alive
again. Put on your citizens clothes
that you had on when you enlisted, and
get yourself ready to start in the morn
ing Make your plans, and let me know
In the morning how you are going to
carry them out"
After studying a little while young
Hegwer said: II will come over this
evening and tell you my plans"
Promptly Vat o'clock Hegwer re-
ported that he was ready to start early
in the morning; that he would take his
time, get to the plantation a little be-
fore dark and there insist on staying
all night If possible. When he had
fully discovered what he wanted to find
out he would write letter to his broth
er, indicating to him what was neces-
sary. The Captain said, You have laid
your plans WELL" handed him SIS, and
wisht him good luck in his undertake
ing.
The next morning young Hegwer was
seen crossing the Missouri River on g
ferryboat, making his way in a north
Hegwer babe him the time of day, and
inquired if it would be possible for him
TO stay all night, that he was very tired,
wet and hungry, and that he had come
a long way that day and was not able
to go much farther The old gentle
man looked at him rather pitifully,
hesitated quite a little while, finally
wanted to know, where air you 'gwine
and wha' air you FROM"
Young Hegwer stated that his folks
lived in Doniphan County, Kan, imme-
diately west of st. Joseph, Mo-; that his
oldest brother was with the rebel Gen.
Price, somewhere in southern Missouri;
that his father was dead and his moth
er was rather cross to him. and that he
had run away from home. That pleased
the old gentleman very much, and he
took a very hearty laugh over it. He
took him in the house, gave him some