The residents of the little town are full
of indignation that the man should have attempted to kill an officer
of this garrison. He is a horse thief and desperado, and made his
escape from their jail several months back, so altogether they
consider that the country can very well do without him. I think so,
too, and wish every hour in the day that the sheriff had been less
cautious. Oliver cannot be tried until next May, when the general
court meets, and I am greatly distressed over this fact, for the jail
is old and most insecure, and he may get out at any time. The fear and
dread of him is on my mind day and night.
FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY,
December, 1873.
EVERYONE in the garrison seems to be more or less in a state of
collapse! The bal masque is over, the guests have departed, and all
that is left to us now are the recollections of a delightful party
that gave full return for our efforts to have it a success.
We did not dream that so many invitations would be accepted at
far-away posts, that parties would come from Fort Leavenworth, Fort
Riley, Fort Dodge, and Fort Wallace, for a long ambulance ride was
necessary from each place.
