Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-11-08
THE WILD HUNTER OF THE BLUE
BY GEN. JAMES 5. BRIsBIN.

II is ten years ago (said Mr.. Belden), and
i at that time the country back from the Mis-
| souri, was not much settled. The fame of
| the Big Blue lands had spread far and
wide: and, every week scores of farmers
from Iowa, Illinois and Missouri came in
and settled OH the rich bottoms, almost in
variably writing back to their friends. in
the States that the land was one flowing
with milk and honey, and urgiiig them to
come and take up farms. So the settle
ment prospered amazingly, and Beatrice,
Nebraska, which had at first only been a
town "on paper" became thriving vii
lage in reality. -,
Among the farmers who came to settle
in this new country was Mr.. Thompson
and his family. They had formerly lived
in Iowa, on the Big Sioux River, six miles
from Sioux City; but, not prOspering
there, they sought to better their condition
BY moving to Nebraska, and selected the
Biz Blue as the place of their future home.
Mr.. Thompson's family consisted of his
yte his daughter Mary, a sweet girl OF
Ateen and an old man who had spent
he best OF his life in the service of the
| hmily, and now that he was old. was re-
ained for the good he had done, and that
he might have home in his declining
years. AT one time Mr.. Il. had been well
sff in the world, but unfortunate specilla-
tions i'm Western lands had ruined him,
and, at the time of which l speak, he had
little left besides few horses, a wagon or
two, and dozen head of cattle.
Near to where Mr.. Thompson had set
tied on the Blue. lived wild young man
who had won for himself the name of ''the
Wild Trapper of the Blue" He lived all
alone on the head-waters of a little creek,
and was rarely seen except when he came,
once in every two or three months, to the
traders to exchange his furs and skins for
-four, tobacco, matches, coffee. and such
other articles as he needed. On these oc-
casions, after having made his purchases,
he would lounge about the traders for sew
eral days, drinking bad whisky, and quar-
reling with every one be could get toquar-
rel with him. When under the influence
of whisky, he would mount his horse, and,
with two large navy-revOlvers in his belt,
ride up and down the village, defying
every one to come out and fight
him. For the Slightest ~ offense,
either real or imagined,9 he would
fire at man, and. If he had a gr1rdge
against any one, that persons cattle or
horses were sure soon afterwards TO be
missing. 1t was more than limited that he
was the principal or accomplice in many
of the thefts. and, if he were 50 minded
could tell where most oof the valuable
horses stolen from time to time on the Sail
Lake stage-road had gone. y et such was
the reputation of this young desperate fol
courage and wickedness that no one cared
to meddle with him, and, wherever he
went. his society was tolerated rather than
PREFER, d. mo ten men could have been
Induced to go to his rancho to search foi
1 stolen stock, and SO the matter was allow.
ed to rest, every one blaming him with al
sorts of crimes, but no one being able tt
swear the suspicious were correct.
One evening, just as MIR. Thompson ant
his family were sitting down, In theil
humble cabin, to supper OF cornoreat
and venison, tall young man, mouhte'
iona wiry pony, rode up He was scarce
Inineteen wears of age, and wore the IN
evitable legrings and long frock of The
Western hunters. 'fringed with buckskin
His face was brown as nut, and, when h'
raised the broad brim- of his slouch hat
his countenance BETRAYED unmistakabl'
Signs of dissipation. i lfya.J .ft IL ..Ii
Mr.. Thompson politely invited thu
Stranger to dismount and partake of theil
frugal meal, and, spIfnging from his horse
he made haste TO enter; but. when he saw
Mary. he drew back. blushed. and woals
have mounted again had not Mr.. Thomp
insisted upon hisstoppinglong enough
10 eat something. Itwas not long befor'
Mr.. Thompson discovered from the con
Nersallon that bis guest was none otiie
uah p, The famous young desperate of III
Due and the discovery Twas attended Wit
considerable anxiety and alarm. Th
9uIeh eye OF the hunters detected mian in
I sntI'' yhe alarm his presence had created
lied air: ii
i am indeed the Wild Trapper of tn