Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1879-07-24

across. They had made it all safe that far,
when some one On shore told them they
had better not go, as the cattle had already
crossed, bat Tommy said, 1T is but short
way. l think we will make it all safe" So
in he plunged, and Stephen after him. Tom
my had all but made the shore. when look
Ing back he saw Stephen in trouble. With
one quick turn lie plunged back to save his
friend. He made grab for the horse, but
in some way " Is thrown off his horse.
Stephen and horse went under and were
seen no more. Tommy swan down stream
Il short distance, and then sank. Mr.. Story
was short distance below, at Harrison's.
He saw them start into the water. He was
then putting the saddle on his horse to go
up and warn them not to cross.
After we received word, Mrs. Gage, her
two daughters, Mr.. Lock and myself start
ed for the place where the sad accident hap
pened. We arrived at VIM. Bramble's at
noon. On our way down we met Mr..
Story and friend coming up. Mr.. Story
was leading the horse that Tommy had
rode. We stopped and asked him the par
ticulars. 1t seemed some time before he
could speak, and when he told us saw he
felt very sad. He thought if he had only
got there he could have persuaded them to
| turn back, as he had boats above and be-
I low to cross with, but all too late. He
thinks that Stephens body will he found
hanging to his horse, but Tommy he has
little hopes OF finding. He generously offer
ed five hundred dollars if they found his
body, and would give one hundred if they
would search, if it was to be a failure. l
learned that on Friday afternoon no mail
could have worked harder than did Mr..
Story to find the bodies. Also did Mr..
Shanks and Dir. Harrison, not forgetting
| to mention Mrs. Harrison, for she too
came very near losing her life while assist
ing her husband in searching for the bodies.
AS they We're riding through the water at
time when they were some distance apart,
she ventured too far. when the current
whirled her horse nearly OYER, throwing
her off, but as her clothes caught in the
saddle it held her and horse together. Mr..
Harrison saw her. Without thinking of
danger, he swan his horse there and final
ly succeeded in getting them on shore.
Nothing but the bravery of a Yellowstone
man could have saved the life of that hero
ic wife. Let us never forget her.
After dinner. Mr.. Harrison and wife,
Mrs. Gage and daughters, and myself, went
up to the crossing, where the brave boys
went under. 1t was sad scene. The
waters boiling and plunging, mingled with
the tears and sobs of a mother and sisters.
We went back, not caring to look on the
angry waters that kept murmuring, lost,
lost! Mr.. Shanks and Mr.. Harrison start
ed on their lonely hunt, determined, it pos
sible, not to give up till the last hopes
were gone, while we, with heavy hearts,
started on our return for home.
Thomas Thompson, known by all as
Tommy" and Stephen Gage We're loved
by all who knew them. They had no enc
mics, and none will be SO sadly missed as
they. Hardly a day since they went below
but some one asked, ''When will Tommy
and Stephen be through with the cattle
drive - can only answer, now, that they
arc yet driving across that treacherous
Yellowstone. Tommy's hat and glove
were found some miles below. Mr.. Story,
as noble-hearted man, is doing all in his
power to find the remains of the boys, as
are also Mr.. Harrison. Mr.. Shanks and
others, for which Mrs. Gage and family
are very thankful.
CHARLES Smiley