The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-01-16
.
By j. j. HEALY.
| First Buffalo Hunt,

hast herds of buffalo which TO within
ears roamed and fed chiefly through
defensive Northern Country, being
d Of their accustomed breeding
Is by the advent of civilization, have
steadily and surely decreasing apc
Eag for other localities as TO engendel
htest distress among the Indians who
temed this animal their main source
Eudencc and chief staff Of lifet but
hIng no altcrna tive except starva
Etac following of the living commits
h1to share with il final cxtermina-
moi 50 very long since that thest
/ could be hunted and killed within
b of Benton, ana all along the road.
yulh of SUI River, where many q
b could enjoy the novel excitement OF
l. tho monarch Of the plains in close
Aty to the settlements. Men delight
Ing their experiences, and a resident
flown tells his about as follows
has in the Territory in the winter ot
lnd long cherished desire Of enjoy
heal wild buffalo hunt was about to be
td, as intelligence had come in from
birth reporting the steady and rapid
heh Of the huGalo--driVcn in q south
direction by severe storms and prairie
land when tho news spread that they
tnmenced feeding between the Teton
Ilu rivers, ii was the signal for gen
Eerhaaling and cleaning Of firearms
NJ description reviewers, however
sog the most attention from some OF
These were. considered by many the
Eonycnic4t weapon for amateur hunt
i've were II jolly party Of eight assem-
I9gother and encamped on the Teton
sght before, discussing the anticipated
Esp0rt III store FOR us On the morrow
h. the number was a few old timers
had grown grey on mountain and plain
ln present time was considered & good
suaitY TO overhaul md tell old remin
Hes Of exploits III theRbuFalo hunt OF
Aairie, narrow departures from the hug
4grizziy in the mountains and hair,
AA escapes and %arious adventures
evolving or trapping en- THE Plains
campfire stories we're Of course
" enlarged and embel'ished, but my
leneaced mind ut the time digested
Iall as wonaerio] trpths, causing . Esst
hight Of dresis, in which Appealed tc
lta yeEtoble Kit Carson or Jim Beck.
Long befoG the first dawn Of day
had fed entirely, and arose 4td pre-
breakfast and awaken my com
bns for an early start. Thf
having been hastily pafpaken o
bounted our slceds ard sailed out A
oE the animals Of which we were il
IN was soon discovered quietly grazins
distance of about three miles. W.
aware that the utmost caution wa'
Essary in approaching &, herd, not to be
kTcred until til proper moment By the
ii 0f old bulls and COWS which hove
f. outskirts Of herds, constantly on the
aud ready to sound an alarm at th'
\ sign of danger. causing thereby g pre-
Pate stampede. We were to the wind
|, and taking advantage Of every ltd,
Rce and favorable ground, we had ap
sehed to within a short distance, whei
\ old hunter, our chosen leader, passet
\ that we could advance no furthe
sont discovery. Taking of and leaving
extra clothes to facilitate movement
having tightened the sinches Of oil
ggiIcs' the question was asked each if h
ready, and an answer being giESp !
affirmative, the leader cried out sic
and ROW oceuued. oneyoF the grandcs
."ost exciting sc% ! # py life. Hofse
r aud bntfnto soon mixed i'll q confuse
's, and nil running at the greatest spec
\ the prairie, from which detached pal
es OF ice and snow filled the air. maxim,
confusion still greater. Ny reyolye
Il0g been soon emptiod,I forgot III tn
al@ment to reload, and lzept ~ goin
puGh the motion Of shooting aII III
Pc | thought that wa
feThere il the middle Of th
! herd, as ny horse sometime
n'dly came in contact with beitalp, an
tgan to feel somewhat anxious il fesggagr
tel Surroundings, as my companion
b undiscernable, send 1 dida't kno
ther l was being run away with Or mo
real;ty of distance Travelled over hayiI
ished from my memory when sudden
u a shock and found myself hyit
'ugt the air, only Io laad oG The
e ground and to receive several bfuis
difrtent parts ofthe body. Inc baffa
re flying past me ~ either SIDE with
qiiar rnmbltng noise, and orc old bull
y looking very wicked, half stopped Il
%F acquaintance. but fortunately W
sed On by the fleeing, crowding herr
leh seemed to be but . few moments
,'ing,
Recovering my feet, ]. found the hors
se BY, badly laAetl irotl n e effects \
ing stepped into a badger hole, whi'
orcasioncd my fill. Leading him aiot
'ae bride ! soon came ap with some
sa'npanions, busily engaged iI cttttit
S,0'sues from curca&ses. Thus snde
. aFat ciiaFs, and 4lthaasli A!iRPge IN
my herd Yinys,. n b.,,.ezr- t,t.,.as F5ifs 4 L