Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 July 1886 — The Train-Wreckers. [ARTICLE]

The Train-Wreckers.

BY CAPTAIN JAMES MONTFORD.

“During the winter of 1861-2 a continual warfare was kept up in Missouri with the guerrilla bands. “They are the most terrible pests of a country, even when anxious to defend it, and the ordinary guerrilla is a friend to no one but himself. “I was often out upon the chase, and several fierce skirmishes took place. A band of guerrillas had taken possession of the Missouri Railroad, and burned the bridges, tore up the rails, and brought about a desolation that half a dozen battles w ould not have caused. "I met with an adventure at this time which evidences the bloody and ruthless character of these outlaws. “I think it was about the last of December that I started from the command for a small station some tw r enty miles distant. “I had business with a gentleman in the village, and rode across the country, intending to leave my horse—l owned a good one at the time —with my acquaintance, and return with the supply train, which was expected at that time. “The day was as bad a one as I could have well chosen; the bleak air swept ovor prairies, chilling horse and man to the very Done. “I should have waited for a fairer day; but the train was expected up in the morning, I was anxious to go, and had already been delayed several days. “So I started early, and rode along cheerfully enough for the first five miles, when a genuine Western storm arose, and began to rage with the fury that is only witnessed in those treeless districts. “I was soon soaked through to the skin, the rain beat upon my face fiercely, and I wished myself back at camp, or anywhere else out of the storm. “I believe we were five hours traveling the succeeding five miles, and at the end of that time I was nearly frozen. “The fear of losing my way added still more to my distress, for there were no fences or other landmarks, and the ground was being fast covered by the beating snow, which succeeded the rain. “My clothing was frozen stiff, and the peck and breast of my horse was covered with sheets of frozen breath and blood Which had oozed from his swollen nostrils. M 1 must find shelter, I thought, or perish In the most horrible manner. “ Suddenly I noticed smoke arising in the distance. No house was visible, and it has seemed remarkable to me that I observed the smoke; a fortunate chance was the cause, perhaps. “No house jvas to be seen, the place was in the hollow of the prairie, and I rode within twenty rods of the door ere I saw the way. “Getting off the home with difficulty, my limbs had become stiffened with cold, I was about to approach the house, when it occurred to me that it would be as well to reconnoiter a little. “A band of outlaws might be harboring there, and then I would wish myself outside again, cold as it was. “Speaking kindly to the horse, who stretched his nose against me for warmth, I fastened the bridle to a shrub and stole cautiously toward the house.

“Making a circuit, I approached from the back of the building. It was a poor affair, the habitation of a prairie farmer, evidently; but there was shelter for man and beast. “As I came up the door at the side opened. I had but time to escape around the comer when three men issued out. “They were rough looking fellows, warmly clad, and I at once concluded to give them a wide berth. “With some imprecations at the weather, they hurried to the stable, which fronted the road. “When they reappeared it was upon fleetlooking horses, and they then rode away toward the north. “I watched them out of sight, and then approached the cabin again. Listening, I could hear no one, aud conceived that the place was untenanted. “I resolved to take advantage of the shelter, and hastening back to my poor horse 1 «oon left him munching hay in the little «table, and myself hurried on to the house. “I was nearly ready to drop with fatigue and cold, and, waiting for no ceremony, I opened the doer and entered. A fire was burning on one side of the poorly furnished apartment, and hurrying forward I spread out my person to the blaze. “I had seen no one as yet, but a voice sounded from a back room a moment later. “ ‘ls that you, Carl?” asked a woman’s voice. “I explained that I was a traveler, nearly frozen, and bad taken the liberty to enter the house, as I saw no one about. “A tall, wrinkled old woman, with a very erect carriage, came in from the kitchen. ? “She looked at me searchingly, as I made any excuses, and I thought a sad expression appeared upon her face. What could it tnean. or was 1 mistaken? “I decided that the laster was the case, and lying back in the hard chair, I enjoyed the fire as a man only can when he has been chilled through to the bone. “My dozing was broken by the sound of -voices outside; men wer« approaching the

house. The old woman seemed to shrink with fear as she heard the sound. “Rising to my feet, expecting some disaster, I placed my hand upon my pistol and waited. “The door opened, and twenty men, I counted them as they came in singly, filed into the room. “They were all armed with rifles, and an entire arsenal of small arms, and I knew I was in the presence of a band of guerrillas. “There was no help for it, however, the men had seen my horse, and doubtless knew my character. “ ‘Put up your shooter and surrender,’ said a tall, red-headed man, who seemed the leader. ‘You shan’t be hurt so long as you remain quiet.’ “‘But who are you?’ I returned with as much resolution as I could summon up. ‘lt would not be policy to surrender until I know to whom I ’ “A loud laugh from the entire crowd cut off my speech. “ ‘That’s a good one,’ said the tall individual. * 'Twas jist lettin’ you down kinder easy ’cause you cum into my place unawares. We can kill you easy enough, if you insist upon it.’ “I did not. Resistance would be the last thing I should attempt against such overpowering numbers. “I handed over my weapons to the leader, and he ordered two of the gang to takp me into the back-room and watch while they conferred together. “I passed nearly an hour in the backroom, listening to the talk going forward in front. From the broken words I heard I pieced out the following: “The supply train, due to-morrow, was to pass this afternoon, and the outlaws were plotting its destruction, i__ “The track was nearly a mile from the house, and the leader concluded to go at last. He entered the room where I sat, and ordered the guards to watch me closely. “One of them pleaded so strongly to go upon the expedition that the leader submitted, and when the men left I was alone with the old woman and the single robber. “My own fears and troubles had been swallowed up by the more important news I had received regarding the train. “It was quite valuable, besides being much required by the troops at the time. There were several officers on board, also, and their capture or death would be a great loss. “To shorten a long story, I had a flask of liquor in my pocket; ti e outlaw had a larger in his own possession, and he also had an appetite for a larger quantity than was obtainable. “He drank up the liquor in his own flask in a very few minutes, and my own follow ed immediately afterward. “As might have been expected, the cold and the liquor threw him in a drunken slumber. I now decided to leave the house at any risk. “The old woman had remained in the front room. Slowly I drew away the ruffian’s weapons. I had been left unbound, ai d warned by my own escape, I proceeded to secure the iellow without awakening him. I then entered the front room and prevailed with the old lady to allow me to serve her in the same way. “Five minutes later I had mounted my horse and was riding at break-neck speed toward the railroad track. “I heard the engine whistle shrilly as I left the stable, and knew the probabilities were against my reaching the spot in time to do any good. “I rode with the speed of the wind over the snow-covered ground, and came into view of the track just as the train halted. “Running the steed back, I looked at the cars; they were already in the possession of the outlaws. “A couple of the men had gone up the track with a red flag, and had halted the trait; —in an ambush of their fellows. “They jumped on board, with shouts and screams of triumph, while the bullets rattled fiercely. “Disappointed that I had not been a few minutes earlier, I watched the rascals. “The soldiers upon the train were soon all dead or prisoners, and then the outlaw s left the cars. “Standing tqgether in a body, they consulted for a moment, and then the engine was uncoupled, two men leaped upon it and drove down the track. “I watched them with bated breath. What did they intend to do? It was soon explained. “The locomotive was stopped again a few miles away, then the lever was thrown back, and the engine rushed back upon the cars with the speed of the avalanche. “A moment, and it collided with the foremost car, plowed its way through, and soon the valuable supply train was but a mass of smoking ruins. The Colonel stopped and drew a long breath. “I tell you it was a thrilling night,” he said, after a moment; “but the guerrillas soon paid for the damage. “I escaped without difficulty, and reached camp again that night. The following week witnessed the destruction of that band of bushwhackers, for the soldiers were maddened by the loss of their supplies, and rested not a moment until they revenged it.”