The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-22


excursonists ran after some Of the game Whlca
they felt sure had or would be secured. In a
few minutes af,er, one of the herd an immense
female bison, fell on her knees, when all closed
round her and one gallant sport out with huge
dirk and cut her throat, This daring act
created shout. Victory had perched upon the
banner OF the travellers, and what had been
imagined an hour previously was at that im-
rortant hour stern Teality-a bison had fallen.
The army had conquered. noble specimen of
Bos Amer,cGnus was lying at the feet of those
whose faith had been made strong by the dying
animal before them. Immediately some two
dozen stalwart men out with pocket knives aud
deliberately attacked the dead. 1t was an
amusing spectacle but as no provision had
been made for outcherng, necessity mothered
the invention aud but little time elapsed before
both hind quarters, the head, eyes, tongue, tail,
hoof, and macy parts of the hide were safely
deposited in the baggage car. The hunt aud
chase were a success. While some were engaged
in the manner referred to, Others bounded forth
after The retreating animals, and within three
hours twelve immense bulfaloes OF bison were
killed aud more than that number badly
wounded Those having arms, in their zeal for
greater success, scattered over aspace otfrom 10
TO 10 miles, and within the range of vision hun
were seen. This may be regarded as exaggeration,
but none of the party who witnessed the magni-
tude of the buffaoes estimated their number
any less. And to give you further evidence of
the quantity in view, 1t is also a fact that the
train, in going some ten miles further west, be-
tween Ellis station and Ogalah, the cars had to
stop still four different times to let the bualoes
pass. Never before, in the lives of either lady
or gentleman present, was such a scene wit
messed; never did they anticipate so granl and
exciting a SIGHT; never did they enjoy
such rare and magnificent sport. The
reader cannot Imague, in the remotest
degree, what such hunt for wild game on the
vast American prairiss really is. To know,
these grounds must be visited, and the buffalo
or bison seen as they were observed and killed
and wounded yesterday. At o'clock the
excurslonists returned to Fort Hayes, where
sumptuous banquet was in readiness. The
good things were enjoyed to the fullest extent,
aud about haf-past 8, Home Again" and
Home, Sweet Home" were sung by the entire
party with all the fervor and feeling of some of
your celebrated Philadelphia singing societies,
and the party departed Eastward, more than
delighted with the pleasures Of the hunt and
their extraordinary success.
The buffalo, or more properly the American
bison, is but little known, Notwithstanding the
occasional exhibition Of one or two in cohnec-
tion with some OF the travelling menageries of
the country. In this way but faint idea can
be formed of the animal, except as to color and
size, and nothing about the Gagged pison or
buffalo indicates its strength power, durability,
speed, or habits. To see aud appreciate it, the
Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division affords
opportunities which cannot be excelled, if
equalled, on this continent or in the world. 1t
is along the route of this great national high
way, west of Fort Hayes, where they abound.
To say there are large herds of them wouId be
to convey very inadeq late conception of their
existence. Millions upon millions of them
browse upon the extensive and beautiful pralries
of western Kansas, and run wild over that vast
domain from south to north and from north to
south. AS far as the eye can reach over the
undulating plain, they can be seen.
The American bison is generally larger than
the COWS or oxen of this country, and heavier,
weighing from sixteen hundred to two
thousand pounds The color of the hair is
dun" or brownish. black, except the long
HAIR, which is tinged with a yellowish rust
color. The head, shoulders, and neck are
usually covered with great shaggy masses OF
hair, while on other portions of the body aud
legs the hair is rather short and hne Along
the back it is coarser, and aoout half the length
of the hair on the neck. Tue physognomy
is rather repulsive, and indicates ferocity if
aroused or excited. The flesh of The
bison is similar to coarse grained beef, but more
tender and juicy. When the hump is nicely cut
in steaks and properly broiled, or when cooked
In the Indian style, by sewing up the meat in the
hide and baking in an earth oven underneath
the surface of the ground, it is ranked among
the most delicate of American dishes. The
tongue is highly priced among epicures, and
much preferred to the tongues of cattle. The
decided preference for this portion OF the bison
has often resulted in hunters staying them
merely for the tongues of the animals, and
leaving all other portions for the wolf and the
vulture to feed on.
The Indians in Kansas are almost entirely
dependent upon the bison for their food cloth
ing, dwellings, and fuel. The hides, with the
hair, furnish the finest ''bufIslo robes" while
the dressed hides are also considerable article
of commerce, and quite profitable. 1t is rather
astonishing that with the present admirable
facilities for reaching all the Eastern cities and
trade centres, some enterprsing son of Aner-
ca has not devised some mode of capturing the
bison, and having them transported TO market
in the cars of the "Union" or "Empire'
lines as fast freight, and thus realize magnif-
cent pIoft out of the operation. There is no
portion of the bison but what can be made
marketable ii in Philadelphia or New York
The cost of securing them and the freight would