ROMANCE OF A RANGER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 80

ROMANCE OF A RANGER.

Captain Jack Springer, who was one of the most widely-known Ranger commanders in Texas 45 years ago, and who had been mourned for as dead by many of his early-day companions, reappeared the other day. He was captured by a band of Apache Indians in 1864, after being severely wounded ir a fight with them on the Canadian River. Contrary to their usual custom, the Indians did not kill and scalp their prisoner. They carried him into the mountains of Arizona, where he was held captive for four years. At the time of Captain Springer' 6 capture he was making his headquarters at Spanish Fort, a little frontier settlement, situated on the Red River. It was on the border of the Indian country, and the Rangers were kept busy guarding the property of the cattlemen who had ventured into that section and in warding off the raids of the wily redskins. Captain Springer was a young man of fine appearance, and he fell in love with Nellie Langham, the daughter of Tom Langham, a wealthy cattleman of this section. The daring young Ranger commander was an ardent lover, and much of hie time when he was not away on a scout after Indians was spent in Mies Langham's company. The date of the wedding had been set, and was only a few weeks off, when the Apaches made their daring raid that led to the fight in which Captain, Springer's capture was effected. The members of the Ranger fbTce who escaped in the fight returned <o Spanish Fort and brought word to Miss Langham that Captain Springer had) been killed. They had no thought that the Apaches would permit him to live. The news of his death caused her to lose her health, and death claimed her in about a year. Sue was buried in a grove of cottonwoods upon the banks of the Red River. Captain Springer was well treated by the Apaches, although a close -watch was kept on him at all times to prevent his escape. He was taken on many hunting

expeditions by the tribe, and after four years of captivity he was told that he Avas free to return to civilisation if bo desired to. His first thought was of his sweetheart at Spanish Fort, conoerning. whom he had had no word during the foiir long years. He immediately set out- upon his journey to his old home. When he arrived at Lac Vegas, N.M., he met? a former member of his Ranger company, who informed him of the death of Miss Langham. Captain Springer continued iiis homeward journey no farther. He turned back, ar.d again joined the Apaches, with whom he lived, for many more years. He was able, throu.ii the knowledge of the Apaches of the n l.eralbearing mountains of Arizona, to Aocate several good mines, and he is now possessed of a comfortable fortune. He is well known among the mining men of, Arizona and New Mexico. A few weeks ago he was seized with a desire to visit the scene of his yoimg manhood and to see the grave of his sweetheart, whose memory he had treasured during all these years. With tbis object in view he returned a few daya ago and took the stage to Spanish Fort. He was in Nacona only a few hours, justf long enough to catch the north-bound stage. He found the long-neglected grave and placed some wild flowers upon it. He hunted up a few of his boyhood acquaintances who are still living in that neighbourhood, and they had a good time exchanging reminiscences of the early days.