The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-09-04

FROM MCKINNEY.
Progress of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
New Ranchmen.

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To the Editor of the Leader:
SIR:-This post is now under the en-
ergetic, skilful and soldierly manage
ment of Capt. Emmett Adams, Fifth
cavalry, commanding, approaching
completion for occupancy. The citizen
mechanics employed, and their number
has been recently increased, no longer
"drag their weary lengths along"
The hustle and din of activity is hap
py contrast to the recent Rip Van Win
kle style once in vogue. Mitering and
champoring, those hidden mysteries of
carpentry, were heretofore done on
rough pine boards with a deliberation
and mathematical precision that was
wonderful. Four companies, two of
cavalry and two of infantry, are still at
work in the cafion logging. The upper
saw mill and camp, three miles distant,
is in charge of that soldier of soldiers,
Capt. L. Hay, Ninth infantry. One of
the saw mills is soon to be brought
down, and two of the companies moved
into the post. In an emergency all the
companies could be comfortably quar-
tered in the garrison. Ten sets of off,
GERS quarters are finished and ten more
will be, as also nearly all the mems
barracks, (same) by about the last of
the present month. Since the grand
exodus i. e. desertions, nearly four
months ago, caused perhaps in meas
ure by 1.-THE long hours of work, there
has been but one desertion-the cause
cannot be charged to the service. The
men are contented, happy, and as usual
well fed, the many ranchmen supplying
fresh vegetables, but the prices are
very high. The ranches, four or five
miles distant, afford the men, soldiers,
teamsters, packers, and mechanic terp-
sichorean pleasures with the other sex,
and where potions 'from the fire laden
fountains that spring from the rivers
of hell" can be had on presentation of
a dollar Of our daddies. The history of
the desertion above mentioned may be
of interest. The man was soldier in
one Of the infantry companies, by name
Levi Wardell, and kept, as proprietor,
the Big Horn restaurant and boarding
house at the post by permission of Maj.
Hart. Wardell became engaged in a
controversy with one of his employees, a
citizen, one Abbott, about wages, and
beat him in brutal and shameful man
ner over the head with sugar bowl.
Abbott was in critical condition for
several days, and Wardell fearing the
result of the wounds he had inflicted
and the vengeance of Abbott's brother,
who it was reported was ON the way
here, in the classical imagery of the
west 'skipped," first taking the pre-
caution to swindle servant girl out of
about two hundred dollars, and also
leading citizen of Trabing city out of
one hundred more. Rumor has it that
Wardell was seen making toward the
north to join Sitting Bull.
Numbers of cattle ranch prospectors
are constantly coming into the country.
One the other day said, after having
been over the country, that it was ex-
cellent in every respect for cattle, and
he had on the way from Kansas, where
his range is, about 5000 head which he
intends to locate in this section. The
"B. S.,'' which upon translation means
British subject, who is located on Pow
der river, it is said, points with his dex-
ter finger and claims, presumably by
right of conquest (P) all the country
from the old post of Mckinney to the
Big Horn mountains, thence north and
west to Crazy Woman's Fork, and has
hoisted the Union Jack" over his
tent. However, northern Wyoming
being well adapted along the many
streams to produce cereals Of all kinds,
and, as stated, excellent for cattle,
numerous ranches are rising as it were
from the ground, along the streams in
the section of country mentioned, and
my Briton is being elbowed, and will be
crowded, just like any one else in a
good country, and after the frontiers
man has his hut built he won't move
unless he wants too. Apropos of "B.
s." meek and inoffensive American
at Powder river asked me: "How can
an alien hold Office, can he be post
masterP" Upon rejecting 1 referred
him to Nasby, as the best authority IN
the United States on postoffices.
We have just learned that Mr.. Con-
rad, our new post trader, has been
confirmed by the war department. The
selection of this gentleman by the
council, met with the approval of the
entire garrison. B.