The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-17
STANDING UNDER THE MOOSE.


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In a recent case in the Recorders Court
Attorney J. W. Donovan told the follow
ing story. 1t halls from Texas:
On hot day in July, 1860, a herds
man was moving his cattle to a new ranch
further north, near Helena, Texas, and
passing down the banks Of stream his
herd became 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 about dozen
mounted Texan rangers overlook the
herdsman and demanded their cattle,
which they said were stolen.
1t twas before the day Of law and Court
houses in Texas, and one had better kill
five men than steal mule worth five
dollars and the herdsman knew it. He
tried to explain, but they told him to cut
it short. He offered to turn over all the
cattle not his own, but they laughed at
the proposition, and hinted that they
usually confiscated the whole herd and
left the thief hanging ON tree as a
warming to Others in like cases.
The poor fellow was completely over
come. They consulted apart for a few
moments and then told him if he had any
explanation to make or business to do
they would allow him ten minutes to do
so and defend himself.
lie turned to the rough faces and
commenced:
"How many of you have wives" Two
or three nodded. "How many of you
have childrenw They nodded again.
"Then know who am talking to and
You'll hear me-" and he continued: 81
never stole any cattle; / have lived in
these parts over three years. | came from
New Hampshire; | failed in the fall of
81, during the panic; l have been saving;
| have no home here; my family remain
Fast, for 90 from place to place; these
clothes | wear are rough and lam hard
looking customer; but this is a hard
country; days seem like months to me,
and months like years; married men, you
know that but for the letters from home
(here he pulled out handful of we'll
worn envelopes and letters from his
wife) should get discouraged. | have
paid part of my debts Here are the re-
ceipts, and he unfolded the letters of ac-
acknowledgement. | expected to sell out
and go home in November. Here is the
testament my good old mother gave me;
here is my little girls picture" and he
kissed it tenderlv and continued: 'Now,
men, if you have decided to kill me for
what am innocent of send these home,
and send as much as you can from the
cattle when Pm dead. Can't you send
half the value? My family will need it. +"
"Hold on, now; stop right thar p
said rough ranger. 'Now, I say boys"
he continued, II say, let him go. Give
: us your hand, old boy; that picture and
them letters did the business. You can
go Free but you're lucky, mind ye."
"We'l do more than that" said man
with big heart, in Texas garb and car
rying the customary brace of pistols in a
belt; "let's buy his cattle here and let
5 him 60"
They did, and when the money was
| paid over and the man about to start he
; was too weak to stand. The long strain
f of hopes and fears being away from
| home under such trying circumstances
; the sudden deliyerance from death hac
combined to render him as helpless as {
child. He sank to the ground completely
overcome. An hour later, however, ht
left on horseback for the nearest staging
5 route, and as they shook hands anc
, bade him good-by, they looked the hap
Djest band of men ever saw