Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-03-04
A Thrilling Appeal.

In . recent case in the Recorders
court attorney j. W. Donovan told
the following story, which is. the
Pubic Spirit believes, quite new. It
halls from Texas:
One hot day in July, 1860, Q
herdsman was moving his cattle to
new ranch further north, near
Helena, Texas, and passing down
the banks Of Q stream his herd be.
came mixed with other cattle that
were grazing Ia the valley, and
some OF them failed to be separated.
The next day about moor band OF
dozen mounted Texan rangers
overlook the herJsnan and demand.
"a their cattle, which they said
were stolen.
1t was before the days oflsw and
court house in Texas, and one tad
better kill five men than 10 steal q
mule worth I've dellars, and the
herdsmau knew it. He tried to ex.
plain bot they told him to crt il
short. He offered to turn over all
the cattle not bis own, but they
laughed at this proposition, and
limited that they usually confiscated
the whole herd, and left the thief
hanging on tree as warning to
others in like cases.
The poor fellow was completely
overcome. They consulted apart q
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.
He turned 10 the rough faces and
commenced: "How may of you
have wives 2" Two or three nod.
ded. slow many of you have child.
dren p They nodded again.
"Thun | know who EN- talking
to, and you'll hear me-" aud be con.
tinued Il never stole any cattle
| came from New Hampshire |
failed there 10 the fall OF 81, during
the panic; have been saving; I
lived on hard fare - have slept on
the ground. l have no home here,
my familI remain east for | 20
from place to place; these clothes |
wear are rough, and l am a hard
looking customer, but this is hard
country; days seem like months 10
me, and months like years. Mar.
ried men, you know that but for
tho letters from home (here he
pulled out a handful of well worn
envelopes from his wife)-I should
get discouraged. | have paid part
of my debts. Here are the receipts"
and he uufolded the letters of 40.
acknowledgement. III expected to go
home IN November Here is the
testament my good old mother gave
me. here is my little girls picture"
and he kissed il tenderly and con.
tinued "Now, men, If you have de-
cided to kill me for what am limo.
cent OF, send as much as you can
from the cattle when I'm dead.
Can't you send half the value My
family will need it."
'Hold oD, now; stop right thar I"
said the rough ranger. Now, L 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'll do more than that" said q
man with big heart inTexan garb,
and the customary brace of pistols
in bis belt, ''let's buy his cattle and
let him CO."
They did, and when the money
was paid over, and the man about to
start he Was TO weak too stand. The
long strain of hopes and fears, being
away from home on such trying cir.
the sudden deliverence
from death, had combined TO mako
him helpless as child. He sank to
the ground completely overcome.
40 hour later, however, be left on
horseback for the nearest stage-route
and as they shook hands and babe
him goodbye they looked the hap
piest band of men l ever saw,-N.
Y Dispatch.