Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-06-20
! COLLEGB.BRED COWBOY.
Frightinl Catastrophe in which
Two of His Companions Were
Killed and Himself Wounded.

/ The Little Frenchman Range, in
Southwestern Nebraska, is perhaps
one of the most celebrated cattle see
tons Of the country. In that neigh
borhood Hughitt was one of the most
noted among the cowboys. A college
graduate, he combined intelligence
with that rare courage which the bet
ter class of cowboys always display on
the range. He was more than val
liant. In prosecuting his work as
foreman for the large herd which he
controlled, be was at times carelessly
desperate; so much so at times that
his acts were the cause Of not a
little anxiety to his employers.
On the day in question the herds of
the several stockmen were we'll gath
cred on the brink of large mesa which
overlooked the Little Frenchman
river. The bluff was at least 100 feet
above the stream. While the cattle
were being cut out steer broke away
and made dash along the edge of the
yawning chasm. Beneath was the
swiftly passing water and the sharp
jutting rocks. There we're $50 cow
boys in the circle, the number being
equally divided among the outfits. A
representative Of each put spurs to his
horse and made the chase. Hughitt
was the foremost. Following him
closely were William Thompson and
John Green. All three circled las.
soes above their heads, and dug the
spur points into their horses sides un.
til the blood spurted. 1t was
RIVALRY OF HoRsEMANsHIP
aud herding valor. Neither for a
moment thought of an impending
doom. Fatality had no room in their
contemplation of the present. 1t was
lido or be dishonored in the round up,
and they urged their ponies madly on
ward in the race.
The crowd, $50 strong, cheered
wildly and then watched with bated
breath. Along the edge Of the awful
precipice the now maddened steer
plunged, and three ambitious horse.
men closely pursuing and eagerly
awaiting an advantage, When about
tive hundred yards away from the
herd, and as the surrounding cowboys
were about to utter another yell Of
announcement, a cry of destruction
and death went heavenward. The
earth moved as if an earthquake had
rent it, and steer and horsemen dissp-
peared simultaneously.
The party rushed to the point of
lookout on the chasm only to see be-
meath the mangled bodies OF the dead
and dying, While tho members stood
paralyzed on the brink, yet irresolute
as to what they should do, Hughitt
was observed to spring to his feet.
His horse responded to the release;
and the rider, after some difficulty,
mounted The twain, by circuitous
routs,th slowly climbed back to the
mess, Dismayed by the
l. DREADFUL CATASTROPHE
the cowboys were still standing be.
numbed with dread, when the MANNED
man appeared among them.
| If there's man among you," he
said ieebly, go with me to the railroad
4 want to 60 home to my wife and
| little ones at Greeley"
1t was then dusk. There were
plenty of the sturdy fellows ready to
accompany the sufferer, and Trail was
Immediately taken across the country
to catch the train OF the next day.
4 Meanwhile descent was made into
the canyon bya rescuing party. The
steer the cause Of the disaster, Is.
capped injury. Green was found al.
most buried and dead. He was
bruised considerably and all his limbs
were found broken. Thomson was
also dead and fearfully mutilsteS,
The pommel Of his saddle had com
pletely dissWboweled him. His en-.
trails were found scattered along the
cliff for thirty feet or more, His
horse was IVA
| MANdLER OUT or ALL SHAPE.
Green's animal was injured so badly
as to be unable to rise, and he was
shot. ...sr u
ltwas twenty. eight miles to Cul
bertson Station and weary nights
ride. The party escorting Hughitt
never heard word Of suffering from
his lips Finally he began to bleed at
the lungs, and halt was made to de
termine the extent and nature Of his
injuries. He was dismoupted and ex.
amincd. Imagine the aurpFise Of the
esoort when they found that he was
MANNED almost to death. His collar
bone was broken. His right arm was
fractured in two places, and from his
right side there obtruded two broken
ribs. Add to all this the feet tGaG he
was also internally injured as eyipced |
| by cue blood Somit, and the condition /
OF the sufferer can be realized.
The examination concluded, it was
almost impossible for him to regain hia
feet az thl saddle. f
| You had better go to the railroad,
Charley" suggested one OF the party;
let US camp here for the night
3'DOn't disarm me, boys be nut. |
tered Yeskly[ip reply. '"pouft take
nay pistols wantto once more
SEE MY WIFE AND CHILDREN.
After that | expectit's all pp With me.
Tile Teinount waa made, aud the
sad journey was continued across the
prairie and through the bleak night.
Hughitt never spoke a word.
| Charley" said one of his compan>
ions, tenderly, as the darkness of after
midnight enshrouded the party, IF
you Observation-Disclosures l tell
your witeP" -
Tell her" he responded family,
tell her that | died in the saddle
thinking Of her and the babes
A long silence followed, which he
at length broke. na ~ - 3lH
lsTA a..