The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1907-06-08

came tney ola not return; four O'Clock
came and still they were not there.
The old man was getting very ner.
vous. He chewed his tobacco much
faster and he spit his Juice much far.
Their and talked much louder. He
finally came up to young Hegwer and
said in a trembling voice:
81 reckon you and will have to
take that food to them niggers. Jack
and Mike must have got into some
sorter trouble"
They started with the wagon, as II
had already been, loaded and prepared
to go. They drove in the same direc
ton through the woods, until finally
they came into sight OF dim light a
short distance ahead of them. They
came to a bayou about 80 feet wide
with foot bridge across it. There
the old gentleman stopped, got out OF
the wagon and went in the direction
of the light. In . short time he re-
turned, another with him, and intro
duced young Hegwer to him as a new
member of the gang. They each gath.
cred in some of the boxes and cans
and started In the direction of the
light. Young Hegwer was bound to
see 1t all: tied the mules TO tree,
gathered up box and followed them.
To his great surprise, there he
found what he was looking for. A
large log cabin about SO feet long, 20
feet wide, with about 40 negro men
and women and boys IA or 10 years
old, all chained to the walls, their
chains fastened round their ankles. ly.
in on beds OF straw with some Gov.
ering.
On his return to the plantation they
found Jake and Mike had returned.
They reported that they had been fol.
lowed by some spies, and in order to
mislead them they had to go way
around, as they did not dare to come
directly to the plantation for fear of
being discovered.
Next morning young Hegwer was
sent out to finish the blowing that he
had begun-the other end of the field
was near the road that went to Atchi.
son. There he wrote the letter to his
brother and handed II to one of the
drivers Of team that was going down
town. to be mailed. That night every.
thing went as heretofore, and all prep,
arations were being made for the
start for the south. The next night,
nearly midnight. Q troop Of cavalry
was heard coming up TO the planta.
| ton. 1t surrounded the house, and
! the inmates were all taken prisoners
Young Hegwer escaped through the
back door and hid out until the res,
had been loaded into government.
ambulance and started for Atchison
| The troopers were commanded by 30.
Madden. first lieutenanAs company Is
Ninth Kansas cavalry.
Young Hegwer took one OF The
horses that belonged to one OF the sol
diers that rode In the wagon with the
| prisoners and led the way to the cabin
In the woods where the negros hut
been kept. The cabin WAS surrounded
by the soldiers: the guards showed
| fight at the beginning. but soon saw
that they were overpowered and sun
| rendered. The negroes were liber
ated. and the guards were taken prls
oncrs. by this time day began &c
break. and the whole procession began
their march TO Atchison. About moor
they arrived at the headquarters, tn.
| prisoners were all taken to Leavcn
worth and there tried by courtmartial
and sentenced to a long term OF year,
In prison. The negroes were liberated
and allowed to 70 on their way re
| joicing. think n happier lot Of ne
gros never have been seen before MOI
since.