In this his residence at Rayado, Kit Carson is only kept from spending his whole time by business for which his tastes are more suited.  Soon after the commencement of the settlement, and while he was engaged in his vocation as farmer, news reached him that the Apaches had been committing a most wicked murder, the details of which are horrible in the extreme.  A merchant by the name of White, who was engaged in business at Santa Fe, had been into the United States for the purpose of purchasing goods.  With his train of wagons and his small escort of men, traveled his private carriage, in which there were, as passengers, his accomplished but unfortunate lady and her only child.  On arriving at a point where he anticipated no further danger, Mr. White started on ahead of his caravan, in order that he might reach Santa Fe as soon as possible, and thus relieve his family from the privations of camp life.  He had proceeded but a few miles when he was attacked by some Indians who had concealed themselves in the rocks on either side of the road.  The savages, as the carriage neared their hiding-place, fired with such accuracy of aim that they killed, by their first volley, all of the men who were with the carriage before they were aware of the danger which surrounded them.  Mrs. White and her child were reserved for a worse fate.  They were carried off into captivity.  The child proved to be a source of annoyance to the blood-thirsty savages, and its angel spirit was released from earth by their cruel ferocity.  Before the eyes of its captive mother the fatal tomahawk was raised, and by one dastard blow its keen edge was made to mingle with its brains.  The horrid work failed not to bring the bitter woes and anguish of despair to the breast of the unhappy mother.  It was then thrown into Red River, which was the stream nearest to the scene of the bloody tragedy.

Red River and its great canon has always been to the Apache Indians a favorite haunt of refuge, either when pursued, or after the committal of some terrible crime.  There are several streams in the West called by this name.  The one here referred to is the Red River of the plains, and is one of the upper tributaries of the Arkansas River.  In olden times it went by the name of the Canadian River.  Several sharp conflicts have occurred on this stream between the Apache Indians and parties of United States troops.  It has also formed the stage of many an Indian tragedy in conflicts between the mountain Indians and the Indians of the plains.  Quite recently, attempts have been made by whites to use its banks for grazing purposes, but every enterprise which has been set on foot to establish ranches in its vicinity, have been warmly contested by the Camanches, who have killed several persons who have dared to essay such attempts.