Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 June 1888 — AUBREY’S GREAT RIDE. [ARTICLE]

AUBREY’S GREAT RIDE.

Remarkable Journey on ’ Horseback Across the Westet-n Plains. ,Kansas City News. Among the deeds of early life in the West the famous ride of F.,X. Aubrey from the plaza of Santa Fe to the .public square of Independence, Mo., as a physical achievement stands without an equal. Indeed, it is dbuhtful if the history of the world can . . present a parallel to that great ride of 800 miles, through a country overrun with hostile Indians, a large part of the distance being through sandy deserts and leading across rivers, mountains and prairieA, with only the sky for a covering and the earth ss a resting place. An old resident of this city, who used to know Aubrey very well, in conversation recently, said: “When I first met Aubrey, about 1848, he was a young man of 35, the perfect picture of health and strength. Short, heavy set, weighing about 160 pounds, he had an honest, open countenance, and was one of the rising men of the plains. He was a French Canadian, caiiie to St. Louis in 1840, and very soon afterward engaged in business as a Santa Fe trader, making trips to SantaT©’ 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 ma,de two rides alone from Santa Fe to Independence. The first on a wager of SI,OOO that he could cover the distar n « in eight days. He succeeded in reaching his destination three hours before the expiration of the time. He killed several horses in the ride, and it is said that the death of one horse on the way obliged him to walk twentyfive miles to Council Grove, carrying his saddle on his back, before he foujid another. He was the lion of the day at St. Louis and Independence after this ride. There were many powerful men and many good riders in those times, but not one of them dared to attempt ,to beat Aubrey’s record. He determined to beat it himself, and on a second wager he left Santa Fe in 1851, and gave the severest test of human endurance I have ever known.

“I was on my way to Santa Fe (it was thirty-seven years age with a train of twenty-five wagons filled with merchandise, and knew nothing of his design. When we were at the Rabbit Ears, about 100 miles from the old Spanish city, we saw a man approaching in a sweeping gallop, mounted on a yellow mare and leading another. As he came nearer, mistaking us for Indians, he whirled and retreated 50 or 00 yards, then turned to take a second look. Our wagons coming round a hill proved that we were friends, and putting spurs to his steed he dashed past, merely nodding his head as the dust flew into our faces. It was a great surprise to me for Aubrey to treat a friend in that style, but when I reached Santa Fe I understood it. Every moment was precious. It was the supreme effort of his life. Night 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 horseflesh I ever saw, quivered and fell in the agonies of death at the end of the first 150 miles. Several splendid horses had been 'Sent ahead, and stationed at different

points on the trail. >yp man could keep up with Aubrey. He would have sacrificed every horse in the West if necessary to the accomplishment of his design. It vswas not money he was after, but fame. He had laid a wager that the trip could be made in six days. “At the end of five days and thirteen hours, exhausted and fainting, lie was taken from a horse that was trembling from head to foot, and covered with sweat and foam, at the southwest corner of the present square of Independence. He sank into a stupor, from which he was not aroused for forty-eight hours.”