was formed, and a thorough search of the woods made. At about 7 o’clock
the left of the line came upon the last camp where the robbers were in
possession of their horses. Dr. Hurd of Faribault was in advance, and as
he came to the spot, the noted buckskin horse whinned and stamped showing
most unmistakable signs of delight at again seeing a human form. The camp
was located so near the road that it is a wonder that it had not been
discovered. At each of three saplings a horse had been tied, the yellow
one in the middle. They had been given as long range as possible, but
there was no feed for them except the bark and wood of the trees to which
they were tied. These were eaten as high as the horses could reach and
deep into the roots. The ground around was stamped hard, and there were
evidences that the poor animals had made desperate efforts to escape. At a
short distance away pronged stakes were found which showed that the
fleeing men had found shelter in a most uncomfortable manner. They had
probably thrown blankets over the frame and stopped to dress the wounded
man. There was no trace of eating or sleeping. Behind a log near by, all
the saddles of the five laid in a pile, an old russet-leather saddle, much
defaced, at the bottom of the pile, very wet. This showed two shot marks,
from one of which a medium-sized pistol bullet was taken. Two others on
the pile were black, solid-seat saddles, one new, open, black McClellan,
one new russet McClellan. The black McClellan was marked underneath, at
the front, $8.50, with the cost mark above: two old blankets and three old
gunny bags were found. The robbers carried away all the bridles and good
blankets.
The horses at Rosseneau’s and Laney’s were then procured and the entire
five were delivered to Commissioner Scott of Rice county, it being the
feeling that that community should have the benefit of what was recovered.