Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1883-11-03
Cowboy CussedneSs

Cowboy Cussedness
Cheyenne Leader, 23rd: 1t so hap
pened that on Sunday large part,
gathered at Fred Schwdrtz's road ranch
about eighteen miles from town, fn
dinner. Among them were some dozer
cowboys who had been drinking heavi
ly, and were consequently rife for an,
kind of riot and rollicking. At abou
noon one of them rode up to the ranch
dismonnted from his horse and placin,
the mu2zle of his revolver against tn,
house discharged it. This was the sig
nal for general outbreak and the
| shooting al once began. There seemed
to be no intention Of taking life, but
only TO do as much damage TO property
as possible. Some fifty rounds of am.
munation were discharged and the
house was shot full of holes. All the
bottles behind the bare were broken
and IA hole was made in barrel Of whis.
key, allowing its contents to run out
upon the floor. Had they been content
ed with this it would have icen bad en-
ough, but one of the rutiians, inhamed
by liquor and the smell Of powder, fore
ed his way into the room whore Mrs.
Schwartz WIS, placed cooked revovor
at her breast, and demanded of her to
bring on her women or words 10 that
effect. Mrs Schwartz who is i'm a dei;-
cate state of health, was naturally much
alarmed, but managed TO get away
10 her room The effects upon her are
likely TO be serious. Mrs Bard, who
had stopped there for dinner on her
way to town, ran out at the back door ut
the first alarm, but stumbled over an
obstacle, and being afraid TO rise for fear
of being shot, crawled on her hands ard
knees 10 some brush abou. sixty fee.
distant, and remained there until after
the melee was over. There were half a
dozen men present besides the COWBOYS,
but IS they we're unable % fnd firearms
ofany description about the ranch, they
could d. nothing. Mr.. Swartz himself
was absent. The party had two women
Of loose character with them. When
the stage from Fort Laramie came in a
cowboy drew his gun anI threatened to
shoot the driver, but one of these young
women threw her arms around him and
prevented him from carrying his pur-
pose into execution. At one time the
cowboys Withdrew to their camp for
more amunition, and during their alb
sence the peaceful travellers left the
ranch. and on the advice of one of their
number, locked tie door. This the cow
boys broke in on their return, SO that i'm
case the law is allowed to take its course
with them they can be indicted for
breaking and entering, for which there
is a severe penalty, in addition TO their
other offenses.
As soon as possible those who were
bound for the city came in and notified
Sheriff Sharplcss, who Immediately
started in pursuit, accompanied by OH.
Ger Thomson and others. Yesterday
morning several citizens started ont to
join in the pursuit. The sheriff tcle-
graphed in last night that he was on the
trail with a surety of success. Deputy
Sheriff lIosfor,l found last night where
the rufiians were and notified Sheriff
Sharpless, so that they will undoubtedly
be captured this morning. The cowboys
in question belonged, it is reported, TO
the outfits of Lem Smith, BENJAMIN,
Weaver & Co, and Hanna, Anderson &
Campbell. The outrage, however, was
melted and largely carried on by two
Texas cowboys, who came up over the
trail this summer, and took the first op.
portunity to establish their reputation
as "bad men" The other cowboys seem
to have joined in it more from a desire
for little fun than anything else, with.
out thought Of more serious harm than
little damage to property, which could
be recompensed by little pecuniary
outlay.