The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-14
Escaped the Rope.

One hot day III July, 1850, hcrdsman
was moving his cattle to new rancho fur
ther north, near Helena, Texas, and passing
down the banks of a stream, his herd be-
came mixed with other cattle that were
grazing in the valley, and some of them
failed to be separated. The next day about
noon band of dozen Rangers overlook
the hCrdsman and demanded their cattle,
which they said were stolen.
1t was before the days of law and court
houses in Texas, and one had better kill
five men than to steal n mule worth five dol
lars, and the hcrdsman knew it. lie tried
to explain, but they told him to cut 1t short
He offered to turn over all the cattle not
his own, but they laughed at his PROPOSE
tion, and limited that they usually confisca-
ted the whole herd and III; the thief hang
ing Oh tree as q warning to others in like
cases.
The poor fellow was completely over
come. They consulted apart for few mo-
mcnts, and then told him if he had any cX-
PLANTATION to make or business to do they
would allow him ten minutes to do so, and
defend himself
lie turned 20 the rough faces and COM
mcnced: 'lIow many of you have wivesl"
Two or three nodded. GLOW many of
}
''rhcn know who l am talking to and
know you'll hear me-" and he continued
81 never stole any cattle; have lived in
these parts over three years. l came from
New Hampshire l failed there in the fall
Of '57, during the panic; l have been say
ing: lived on hard fare have slept out
on the ground; | have no home here; my
family remain East, for | go from place to
place; these clothes wear arc rough and
l am hard-looking customer but this is Il
hard country; days seem like months TO
me, and months like years married men,
you know that but for the letters at home, !"
(hcrc he pulled out a handful of wcll-worn
envelopes and letters from his wifc) 'I
should get discouraged. have paid part
OF my debts. Here are the recelpts;" and
he unfoldcd the letters of acknowledgment.
81 expected to sell out and 80 home In No
vcmbcr. Here is the testament my good
old mother gave me here is my little
child's picture. Now, men, if you have de-
cidcd to kill me for what am innocent Of,
send these home, and send rs much as you
can for the cattle when Pm dead. Can't
you send half the valuc2 my family will
need it,"
"IIold OH, now; stop right tharl" said
rough ranger. 'Now, l say, boys" he
continued, II say, let him Co. Give US
your hand, old boy; that picture and them
letters did the business. You can 60 free !;
but you're lucky, mind ye.'
"Wc'll do more than that" said Il man
with big heart, in Texan garb, and carry
idg the customary brace of pistols in his
belt; "let's buy his cattle here and let him
CO."
They did, and when the money was paid
over and the man was about to start, he
was too weak to stand. The long strain of
hopos and frnrs, being away from home un-
der such trying circumstances, the sudden
deliverance from death, had combined to
render him helpless as u child. lie sank to
the ground completely overcome. An hour
later, however, he left On horse back for
the nearest stagc-routc, and, as, they shook
hands and badc him goodbye, they looked
the happiest band Of men in Texas.