The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-04-28
HUNTING THE ELK.
From tie Rod and Gan.

from TIE h0G ana GUiG.
In the early days of October Sir John
Ray Reid and his cousin. NJ. Chas. Eaton,
accompanied by gamekeeper, arrived at
New York with the intention Of setting
out on hunting excursion in the wild
Indian country of the West. Securing the
service of ''Texas jack" whose hunting
exploits and Indian adventures are SO well
known throughout the country, the party
left New York and proceeded to Rawins,
Wy. T., where they We're joined by Tom
Sun, better known in the West as 4" Indian
Tom" an old hunter and a well-known
Indian fighter. At RawlinS, the hunting
outfit was rugged out, and consisted of Il
wagon, pack mules and saddle ponies. i'll
all about eighteen head of stock. The
hunting party had by this time Increased
to seven people-Sir John Ray Reid, Mr..
Charles Eaton, "Texas Jack" Indian
Tom," the gamekeeper Robert and two
assistants. The intention was to move
into the heart of the Sioux reservation.
where it was reported there were elk in
abundance. At Fort Steele some of the
officers attempted to dissuade the party
from the undertaking on account OF the
hostility of the Indians and the dangers
they would necessarily incur from so peril
Gus an undertaking. The chance of got
the hunters, aud they resolved to continue
their journey. Seeing them resolved to
carry out their programme, Lieut.. keefe,
commanding officer at Fort Steele, gave
Sir John and his followers all the informa-
ton and assistance il his power to make
the hunt successful. "TeXaS Jack, who
had been through the country ouiy a short
time previous, felt satisfied they would en-
counter no Indians, as he had seen many
of the lodges cross the frontier OIL the APP
proach of Winter.
About sixty miles north of Rawlius, the
hunting party struck elk by the thousand,
large herds of black tailed deer and noun
tain sheep in plenty. Moving north, the
party remained along the tributaries of the
North Platte river for about three weeks.
They came across one herd of elk number
ing about 3, 900 head and followed them fol-
seven or eight miles. During the run they
secured several pair of fine antlers. At
one time the herd was driven into camp,
and in the confusion and excitement the
mules became frightened and nearly STAN
peded. AS much meat as was required
was secured from this herd. The party
continued still farther north during the
latter part Of November, and had magnii
cent hunting Early in December, they
changed their course west, struck the
Sweet Water, and proceeded along its
banks and finally pitched permanent CAM
near old Independence Rock in Devil Gate
country. Here the hunting proved TO be
exceptionally fine, including elk in abund-
ance and mountain sheep and black-tailed
deer in immense quantities.
During the stay in the locality dozen
pair of as fine antlers as have ever fallen to
the lot of sportsmen to secure were OBJ
ID I L IL,
with the prize that thes were forw aIrdcd to
Omaha and sent on to New York for ship
ment to England. Some of these antlers
measure from the base of the skull TO the
tip over five feet and will measure in width
about four feet. The finest specimen was
taken from fine old buck, killed on Christ
mas day by Sir John himself on one of the
highest peaks of the Sweet Water Range.
When the carcass was drawn into camp
there was great merrytnaking, and the
Christmas festivities were celebrated with
increased enthusiasm. There was no wan
ton slaughter of game in any respect. The
best specimens were singled out and fol
lowed, and after the camp was supplied
with elk, deer and mountain sheep meat,
and Fort Steele furnished with an ample
supply, the balance was forwarded to
Omaha, where it was sold at from eight to
ten cents per pound to the poor, while
Texan beef was bringing twenty and
twenty five cents.
The temperature during the hunt and up
to Christmas ranged about zero: shortly
after it began to grow colder and colder
until twenty-five degrees below zero
was reached. Snow also began to fall
heavenly, and on the 9th of December the
party broke camp and started homeward,
passing through Sand Creek, one of the
most enterprising miaing camps of the
West, and reached Rawins on New Years
Eve. Here the party separated, Sir John
Reid and Mr.. Eaton continuing their Jour.
ney across the continent to San Francisco,
en- route to India, Indian Jack repair
ing to his old Indian haunts. and Texas
Jack " proceeding to New York with the
trophies of the hunt secured in the interior