Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1876-05-25
WAS HE CRAZY?
All Adventure in the Rocky Mountains
A True Story.

Tie organization of my party was COM
pletc excepting the position of cook. The
men had were mostly miners, and repre-
sented every portion of the country. Scarcely
ever will YOU find among congregation of
ten or fifteen men in a Rocky mountain min
ing town, more than two or three from the
same State, and very frequently among so
many you will find representatives not only
from Europe, but also Asia; such is the cos
mopolitan character of the population.
My friends had recommended 6 Chinese,
but wanted man that could cook as well
as drive the provision wagon. While casting
about for such man, was approached by a
quiet looking individual whom had often
observed in the Office of the Cosmopolitan
hotel. which was company headquarters in
Helena. The man was apparently about so
years of age rather bald in front, with deep
set grey eyes, we'll built and of medium
heighth His side whskers were iron grey,
and closely cropped. He wore knit jacket
with brass buttons, under which was a clean
white shirt with collar and necklace. His
quiet manner seemed to hold him aloof from
the noisy members of our party. | had put
him down as philosophizing individual, an
inmate or boarder at the hotel His name
was William j. Tanning, and of course he
had heard all about our projected expedition
TO the Hell Gate river valley, to commence
the survey for the railroad, the preparations
Gar wi Iinl, hpin vol, ;aJ
all sides, for other parties to go in different
directions, were also being organized
was about leaving Helena, withouta cook
when, as | said, was approached by this
man who said:
al understand you are on the lookout for
acook to accompany your surveying party"
Yes" said ''do YOU know of good
man."
''Well, yes said he, smiling, ''or rather,
AZ least if you take the man would recon-
mend, you need only do so on trial
: Who is he = | remarked
Weh it is myself, he answered, and
seeing my evident look of surprise, he con-
,!nucd:
been much about the world on this continent
and in Europe, | have often found myself in
such circumstances that | have been COM
PEELED to cook and oncc in the army,
cooked for several weeks for a company of
soldiers, and now, being entirely without re-
sources, and a stranger here, Just thought |
would apply, and | can assure you that for
all the art caisne required in the Rocky
Mountains, feel myself well qualified.
thought for a moment "ths man talks
too gibly for a cook" but pleased with his
address, and after being assured by himself
That he understood horses well, | concluded
t. engage him. The word said, he reported
tor dWy instantly. Looking over my list of
utensils and provisions he proposed several
additions, and eyinclng at once SO much busi-
hess tact, passed the minor details directly
INTO his hands. Early next morning he re-
ported that everything was packed securely
IN his wagon, and he had attended to the
harness and horses, and was ready to start at
moments notice. incidentally, l had oc-
caslon to refer to his list, and when he put
ms note book in my hand was pleased to
ind the statement drawn up in good busi-
ness form, and in an excellent hand, evil
dchtly one not unaccustOmed to the pen. But
c"riousy enough, at the top of the page was
quotation from Hamlet remarked to him,
you appear to like Shakspeare?'
-, '.Oh yes, | know him nearly by heart.
his memorandum book is full of jottings of
ms and odd lines of my own" he said, care
leSsy turning over the leaves. ''Jove," l
thought, what Jewel of a cook, man of
both literary and culinary taste, he will dash
pepper in the beans and season his conversa-
ton with ''aitc salt Evidently he is gen.
lleman, and am ever glad to have the oppor-
tunly to help one such in distress
AS our wagons drew up before leaving
great crowd surrounded US, and just as they
started amidst the cheering and the cracking