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Pete could hear him coming!

leanin' H

Well-known member
Though ya might get a kick out of this old story that I found in my Aunt Ann's book, Western Utah Memories. This story was wriiten by James Sharp in 1952 but took place many years before.

Years and years ago, when a mere lad, I liked nothing better than to listen to old-timers relate events of the past. What tall tales they could, and did, tell; especially if there had been a bottle of "al-key-hawl" passed around. Who were these old-timers? Some were freighters, others Overland Stage drivers, Pony Express riders, telegraph operators, station keepers and just common men. Some of the stories left a lasting impression upon my mind, while others pass entirely over my head. Here is one which registered......
George Wright would always tell of the time he rode express between Fish Springs and Deep Creek. He said Pete Neece was station keeper at Willow Springs and that he had some uncanny power by which he could hear a horse running a great distance if there was no snow on the ground. He claimed Pete could tell exactly when the rider with the west bound mail left Boyd's Station, eleven miles to the east, or when one left Canyon Station, 15 miles to the northwest and could tell where the rider was by the noise his horse made when running over different strata of earth. That always started an argument, for some of those present were from Scotland and some from England, so the argument was never settled. But I had often heard of this man's ability regarding his hearing and many other accomplishments, but had never met him.
One day when I was about 8 years of age someone took sick in the town of Vernon, where I was born and reared. A rider was sent to Tooele, 40 miles north, for a doctor. When he arrived, he had forgotten something or did not have it with him. Whatever it was, it was absolutely necessary, if the patient was to be saved, so another rider was sent for it.
At that time my Father was Bishop of the local church and whenever there was sickness in any family all the rest of the congregation were ready and willing to help. The rider left shortly before noon and those neighbors began to gather at our place along about 4:30, The men would drive up to the house and the wives would get out of the rig and go inside while the menfolk would gather out where we were doing the chores. Everyone wanted to help those in need.
About 5:30 it began to get cold, for it was between Thanksgiving and christmas. The menfolk made a fire out near the woodpile and stood around rather silently. Finally Father and I joined the group as the men were speculating on what time the rider should arrive. Some had it figured the rider would not arrive before 9 o'clock, while others were sure it would be eight because the life of the patient depended on the time the whatever-it-was arrived, as the doctor had said if it did not arrive before ten o'clock it would be too late.
As we stood there, a man came walking down the road and joined us. I did not know him, neither did I know a few others who were around that fire. As this man walked to the fire, Father said, "Mr. Neece, you have had considerable to do with horses and riders during express times. When do you think he will return?" The man stood there thinking seriously. Then a stranger said, "Come on, Pete, You claimed you could hear a piny express rider when his horse was running 10 miles away. So why not show us how you did it, that is, if you ever did!"
Pete asked Father what time the rider has left and was told quarter past twelve. Then, "Who rode?" "Alvin Anderson". "He'll ride what horse?" "He rode my horse Snip from here. He would pick up a fresh one at Cook's ranch and I told him to ask for Troy. Then he would ride to Stockton and I told him to ask the Livery stable man for that black horse Dave Rockwell sold him last summer. He will ride that horse to Tooele and back to Stockton, thenpick up Troy and then Snip back here".
Pete stood there in silence for sometime and then asked, "Time"? "Ten minutes past six". Pete was a man of few words, and without another word walked away and up a small hill. We followed and found Pete about 100 yards away stretched out on the ground with his face to the north. His mouth was partly open but his eyes were closed. His right ear was against the ground while his left hand was pressed tightly against his left ear. I was standing 10 feet from his head when he opened his eyes and said to some men who were whispering, "By God keep still"! We obeyed.
As if talking to himself, he said rather quitely, "Louie's place- no Johnny Williams. Tired horse." In silence we waited for we knew louie's place as the Louis Strasburg ranch 8 miles down the valley and the Johnny Williams place was about a mile nearer us. Then he opened his eyes and said to us all, "He's just riding out of Dave's place and Lord. how he's riding!" Another short wait and then, "Just crossed the bridge at the Hillman house."
A man then said, "Say Pete you're drunk. He can't possibly get here before 8 o'clock and i'll just bet you 20 dollars he ain't." Pete never got up, just reached in his pocket and handed Father a well-filled purse and said, "John, cover it." "But Pete"............ "Cover it." Father took from that purse a 20 dollar gold piece and the other handed his to father and said, "You hold the stakes." Pete went on talking and said, "Just passed that gravel hill by the Cemetery."
"I'll bet you 25 he is not here within the hour', said he who made the first bet. "Cover it John." Presently Pete sat up and said to the man making the wagers, "Want to make some easy money?" "I'm making it might easy", said the first!
Pete said, "I'll bet you another 20 he is here within 20 minutes." "Done", said the man. At that Pete got up. took the purse from Father and the third bet was made. Then Pete said, "Heard him riding between the house and the stable at Larsen Spring whe I got up." We all knew Larsen Spring was about 4 miles from where we stood. No one said anything until we heard the yip-yip of a small dog down at the lower end of town. The someone said, "That's Alvin's dog. He only barks when he sees Alvin."
We started for the house and Father asked me to run on ahead and get the lantern. Down that hill I went and through the door in time to hear an old sister say she wondered who would dress the corpse. I grabbed the lantern and rushed right out the front door.
Alvin rode up as fast as the horse could run and handed whatever-it-was to Father who rushed it in to the doctor. The time was 14 minutes till 7! Pete had won all three bets! Father counted out the money to Pete while some men helpen Alvin from his horse. That young man had taken a terrific beating on that 80 mile ride. He could scarcely stand. Father walked up to him and said, "Alvin we all thank you for the wonderful ride you made."
"That's alright Bishop. I always wanted to see how fast Snip and Troy could run and now I know, and say, the livery man would not charge me for the horse when I told him who sent me and why. I'll be going, so here is your 10$ you gave me to pay for the horse." Father told him, "keep it for you made an amazing ride."
Then Pete said, "And Alvin, you just made me $65. Here is twenty for you."
Some one asked Pete where he'd learned that trick and he replyed, "Indians."

And as for me i'm wondering? Brigham Young is reported to have said, "If a man is to succeed, he must take chances." Now did Pete actually hear that horse running, or did he follow the advice of Brighan and take a long chance? Whichever was his way, he won!
 

Soapweed

Well-known member
That is a nifty story, leanin' H. Thanks for sharing it.

Peach and I rode horseback a hundred miles in one day. We each traded horses every twenty miles, so went through five apiece. It took us fourteen hours and fifteen minutes to make the one hundred miles between Clinton and Valentine, both in Nebraska. I can sympathize with the beating that Alvin's body took on his ride. :wink:
 
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