The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-03-02
A BRAVE FRONTIERS MAN.

A BRAVE FRONTIERS MAN.
Fridays Rio Grande train tsays The
D,nrer Times ola recent date), brought
in one of those characters sometimes met
with in this vicinity, who don't wear
nicely curled locks falling down on their
shoulders, whose waists are not belted up
about half their natural size, who do not
pretend to'be one of the families of ''Bills,'
and yet have seen hard service as any
Of their strutting competitors for fame,
and in square fight with man or beast
would not be the first to throw up their
hands. The race is dying out, or at least
is overshadowed by those whose preten-
sions, backed by good figures, have made
themselves the heroes Of dime novels and
sensation newspapers. and it was abso
lutcly refreshing to hear the subject Ct
this sketch, without the least swagger
or iraggadoc;o, relate in quiet, sub
dued tone, experiences that would have
tested the couarge of the bravest, even Of
the hardy pioneers Of this region.
He rejoices in the name Of Harrison
Barndecker, was born in Ohio in the heat
of the presidental campaign Of 1910
whence his gwen name), aid came TO
this section with his father N 1855, be-
,ore tn Pixies Peak excitement was
thought CT. Lis family la / removed to
| Texas year or two previous to the above
date and co nlneuced a stock ranch. \
sudden raid Of the COMMANDERS deprived
them Of every hoof, and III the fight with
the savages, his mother and elder brother
were killed. HI, decided the fate Of the
two survivors, and having by their de-
termlned r. sistance (Which was tprotrac-
ed until the decaying corp,cs of the slain
made their stay in the cabin almost un
bearable) worried out the little band OF
raiders, ,hey struck out for the noun
tains. Though ttey did not con nded
knees, etc, swear eternal vengence TO
the Commanches they did not allow an op-
portunity to pass without taking scalp.
Will" ou their way over the Texas plains
from ,..eir cover in an arroyo they saw a
band of five Commanches 90 into camp.
Before morning five scalps dangIed from
their belts, and they were provided with
horses with which 10 continue their
journey. They pitched upon point far
into the heart OF the range as the scene
Of I'll, II future lie, and there for ten years
they lived, seeing only the trappers and
hunters that stumbled on their retreat.
except whcl once \ year one went TO
Santa Fc to exchange peltries for a years
supply of powder and lead. Some gilt.
ter.ng sand in one OF the streams near
their cabin attaactcd their attention, and
taking some Of the stuff to Santa Fe it
was found to be gold dust. They didn't
60 crazy over it, but after that when
game was scarce they washed the sand.
and in the course Of a few years had ac-
cumulated enough to keep the old man
comfortable for the balance Of his days.
Then old association came back to the
father, and he determined once more to
return TO civilization. The son accom-
panied him, but year in Ohio was
enough. Il was in 1865, when every
thing vas in a hUrrah upon the close Of
the war. and the young man was disgust
ed with the bombast INDUCED in BY pol
iticians, and returned to his cabin alone.
Since then he has made frequent trips 70
the settlements. and has,on several oc-
casions beer omployeF by parties
English Nimrods TO assist them in their
search for wild game. His bronzed tace
takes.a peculiar expression as he tells how
many have taken nome the fruits Of MS
rifle to palm off on their friends as the
result Of their own skill In the severe
winter Of 1871 he had an encounter with
bear which he hai wounded and re-
extend from his left temple down his
II. Y
The animal died, but before he could
bandage his bleeding arm storm arose
suddenly, and for three days. though be
succeeded in building fire. he had all
he could do to keep from freezing to
death. When he did start he was whole
day reaching his cabin. only two miles
distant. and had four toes so badly fro.
zen that they droppsd fl, keeping him
III bed three months. Last summer
party of New Workers secured his ser
vices while out here, and one of the num-
Der has organized party fer the Black
Hills, which has engaged him 10 acom
pany them. He Left SATURDAY morning
to meet his party at Cheyenne. During
our conversation with him. he related
several incidents that will be Of inter
est some future time. As We rose to go
he said, You're newspaper man. amt
you :" We complimented him on his
discrimination. well if you write out
any ofthese ere stories I'd ruthe- you
wouldn't make ne talk like those fellers
who like TO see their names in the paper.
Jest tell these yarns as told them TO
you, and it'll be all right We assured
him it would be impossible to improve on
his manner Of relating his exploits, shook
hands. and turned to the door. As we
swung it open. he called cut: Say stran-
ger, save some Of your papers, and send
EN- to me when We we gets postoffice
up yonder.' Human nature would crop
out, but We readily gave the desired.
promise, and left him happy.