The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-11-27
Nisceliapeops.
Hunting Wild Horses in Kansas.

offer of a reward of $500 for the capture
of a certain milk white wild mare, now
running at large in Dickson county
She is described as a natural trotter,
never breaks her gait; time supposed to
be, 2, 1915"
It is not generally known that wild
horses are found in several localities in
Kansas. At the time of the first settle
ment of the country they were quite nu-
merous, but since then many have been
captured, killed and run out until they
are now becoming quite scarce. Several
herds still remain upon the western por-
tons of the Delaware Reserve, and some
exist in other reserves and unsettled por-
tions of the Territory.
1t is only the poorest and ,slowest of
these horses, which fall prisoners to the
wiles of the hunter. Many of them defy
alike the swiftest and longest pursuit /;
battle the best skill and cunning Of the
hunter, and generally succeed in showing
"clean heels'' in every attempt to capture
With them "eternal vigilance is the price
of iberty;" aud possessing sharp and acute
senses of sight and hearing, and almost re-
markable power of scent, they are ever on
the alert in their use, to guard against sur
prise or trickery.
All Of these horses have a natural gait"
either trotting, pacing or galloping, and
from these gaits they never break even
in the swiftest pursuit. Many PAGERS have
been found which could outrun the swift
est American horse brought against them.
q These wild horses have sprung from
indian ponies, which, escaping into the
wilderness and relapsing into wild state,
have produced the present stock.
In many instances American horses, es-
Gaping from their owners while crossing
the plains, have joined these herds, and
produced cross between the two. This
variety is great improvement upon each
of the originals, uniting the endurance of
the Indian pony with swiftness and grace
Of the American breed.
The capture Of the wild horse, besides
being dangerous undertaking, is one re-
curing great skill in the use of the lasso,
as also knowledge of the habits of the
animals themselves. The mares will de-
fend their colts with great ferocity, and
the studs will often come to the rescue Of
a comrade in the tolls of the hunter.
A common plan, and one that is often
times successful, is coraling. This is done
by choosing a suitable place, generally in
the timber, where the herd are in the
habit Of crossing creek, by building coral
or pen some distance from the creek, with
wings extending to the bank on each side
of the trail used by the herd. This being
done, party of several men, mounted
upon swift horses, will proceed to
hunt the herd. Finding them, they give
chase, and endeavor to turn them in the
direction of the concealed coral. They
are often successful. The herd will follow
their customary trail, cross the creek, en-.
ter the wings, and being pursued closely
by the horsemen, are forced into the coral
when gate is closed on them by a mar
concealed for that purpose. After being
securely entrapped they are starved fol-
some time, in order to render them gentle
then lassoed and taken out, and easily
broken to the saddle or harness, as theil
owners may desire.
Another method of capture is sometimes
resorted to. In the summer and fall the
horses are always in good condition, an6
to undertake to run them down is fruit.
less task, but in the late winter, or early
spring, they are generally in poor con.
dition. During the winter season they
subsist upon the dry grass in the bottoms
and the bark and buds of the elm and 9th.
er trees. This is but scant subsistence
and loss of flesh, speed and bottom mus
be the consequence. The hunters tax.
advantage of this, and often succeed il
running them down but it is generally
conceded that at least one good horse i
ruined, for every wild horse captured il
this manner.
Another method is sometimes tried
the horse is shot with riffle ball in the up
per part Of the neck, about foot from til,
ears. The effect is an instant paraly zatior
of his strength, loss of the use of his limb
and an instantaneous tumbling to thu
ground. This effect only lasts a few min
utes, and the hunter must instantly seiz,
the opportunity to tie his feet and other
wise secure him before he RECEIVERS. TIL,
horse is uninjured, and if he RECEIVERS be
fore the hunter secures him, he will escape
and perhaps show fight. This method
requiring great skill in approaching to tn,
necessary distance, an unering aim, ani
attended with considerable danger, is no
often resorted to, and is seldom success
full. go
Continual efforts are being made to cap
ture these wild horses, by organized par
ties. They succeed in one way or tn,
other, and sometimes shoot them whel
they fail to take them alive. They hay,
been thus thinned out and are fast de
creasing. The flowers Of the fiockn onl,
remain, and the one referred TO above i
one Of this class. In . few ysan they vii
al be gone.-Leavessoorh Herald.
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