Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-09-05
RECKLESS JEFF'S SHOT.
A Southwestern Frontier Tragedy
The Story Of Broncho BERTHE, the
Little Girl Ward Of & Band
of Texas Rangers.


lSan Antonio Tex Cor. Philadelphia Times.
/ was crossing the military plaza
this morning working my way slowly
through the crowd of Chill concarne
tumale and tortilla peddlers, when a
hand was Ii familiariy on my Shout
der, and turning quickly I came face
to face with my old friend and fellow
scout, Mad Milton" We parted from
each other four years ago owe the
grave of two dear friends who will be
remembered along the Southwestern
frontier as Reckless JEFF and Broncho
BERTHE. Late in the winter Of 80 JEFF
and [ were members Of a raiding
party hat penetrated the Businesses
of the Mountains Of Death in search
of a family Of COW and horse thieves
named Taylor. The scattered rem
nants OF Chief Victories band were
lurking about that section of country
then, awaiting an opportunity to cross
the Death Plain to a more secure
hiding-place in the Sierra D. bolo.
And we We're continually finding fresh
signs as we slowly trailed the COW
thieves to their mountain camp. One
morning we entered d little canyon,
through which ran a stream Of water.
About midway down the canyon, on
the bank Of the run, the scout il ad-
vance made a horrible discovery, and
we rode quickly to his side. The
three Taylor boys. whom we were in
search of, and a Mexican vaquero had
been ambushed and killed by the In
dams, and their stiffened bodies,
bloody and scalpless, lay across the
trail. They had been killed during
the previous night, and the coyotes
had not yet scented them out. All
their arms and ponies had been "a
RED away by the murderers.
We hastily dug q shallow grave
with our hunting-kniyes on the bank
of the creek, and buried them side by
side. Then continuing on we crossed
the next divide, and reached their
camp in Il canyon similar to the one
We had just left. The Indians had
taken a nearly opposite direction,
climbing the other wall of the canyon,
The camp Of the outlaws was arude
affair, consisting of a small tent, a
campfire, a brush corral and q heavy
wagon. Several head Of ponies and
COWS were grazing in the canyon, and
the Sergeant commanding our party
ordered several Of the boys to round
up the stock, while he dismounted
and inspected the camp. Just as he was
about to lift the fly of the tent a shrill,
treble voice which came from the di-
rection of the brush corral, cried:
Say, thar, mister man, thet's my
tent. Keep outn hut"
We all turned at the sound Of the
voice, and the queerest little girl, in
dress of faded calico, bare-headed and
b~are-footed, crept from under the cor
raj gate and walked toward us. She
was not above seven years Of age, and
she had the shrewdest face and the
brightest eyes imaginable.
Keep out'n thet tent She repeat
ed, walking toward the Sergeant,
Hits mine, I tell ye."
"And who might you be?' asked
the Sergeant, smiling and dropping
the tent flap.
I'm Broncho BERTHE" was thequick
answer, and she tossed her head sauc-
lily. 'Leastways thet's what the boys
call me-
"And who are the boys,"
my buddy's, Jim, Bill and Dan.
Ye all know 'em well enufff an I know
you; you're rangers, an If you think
you'll git the boys yer left. They're
out yonder in the mountings, an
they'll shoot quick'rn a wink"
We crowded about the little maiden
and one of the boys, in as tender and
simple words as he could command,
told her of her bereavement. She did
not shed many tears, but a greatlump
that rose in he throat was swallowed
with difficulty, and her shrill voice
softened and trembled when she
spoke.
81 knowed they'd git lade out some
day" said ab4laIbaking her head
mournfullyIafa better that-a
way than s IN y yoa'na.'
man, and 4 to the side
Of Reckless ] own hand
in his. ~
Il like your IAN
I'll go with YOU
yrrg I..1 - - &##U&#&$Es#&&%E@E@