The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-01-23

off, clearing the track with grcs
trouble. They seemed perfectly viii
I with cold and fear, and several G
the latter to fly to the nearest protec
ton.
Near Miles City curious spectacle
is to be seen. The whole valley on al
sides Of the town is filled with cattl
that have come in from the range to es
cape the cold. Among the short
stubby rose-bushes that grow along
the banks of the Yellowstone anC
Tongue rivers is sea of heads, be,
longing TO the astonished animals that
are seeking what protection the scant
shrubbery affords. Even in the streets
of the town great droves of cattle me.
ander back and forth, as the tall
houses on either side have the appear
ance, if not the reality. of conveying
warmth. The weather in the city
must be at least ten or fifteen degrees
warmer than out on the prairies, and
no doubt the cattle feel the difference,
and will hang around until it moder-
ates sufficient to allow return to the
regular grazing grounds. But there is
4 great deal of suffering among them
for food, for there is not enough in the
town nor in the valley surrounding it
TO make even one square meal for the
immense crowd of animals now con-
gregated hereabouts.
A number of cattle, among which
were some pilgrims, went out on the
ice of the Yellowstone river opposite
town yesterday afternoon to drink at
one of the water-holes cut in the ice
for the purpose of supplying the town.
The old rustlers went at the thing in
the right way, and guenched their
thirst without any difficulty; but
the newcomers, the Texans, to
whom it was new experience. were
not so fortunate on their side, and
forty-tve of them fell into the aper-
ture, one after another, and were |
swept under the ice and drowned. |
Scores of others that fell in but man
aged to get out in some way, were so
badly moistened with the cold water
that they froze to death shortly after
ward. NumbeTless bodies are living
along the river bank, farther up stream,
frozen stiff, having evidently come to
heir deaths in this way. Cattle men
Ire taking the matter in hand, and
cowboys have been detailed to patrol
llong the river opposite these danger
Jus places, in order to prevent like ac-
'idents.
The cold weather appears to have
'rought myriads of coyotes and prai-
lie wolves from somewhere, as the
1hole territory is literally alive with
hem. These scavengers formerly fol-
owed in the wake of the mighty buffalo I
erds that once filled the plains of I
lontana, but now that they have re- l
armed it must be that no more buffalo e
re to be found, and the cattle are to t
apply their place. These miserable G
rutes are committing great ravages r
q domestic cattle, particularly the d
lives. The latter are weak, tender. Il
Id stunted with cold, and can not "
,ep up with their stronger parents. e:
be coyotes watch these calves, and if u
lie becomes tired and lays down in NJ
e snow to rest he is sure TO be set 10
bon by score of ravenous wolves sc
I'd torn to pieces. Some cattlemer A
ON the Judith basin report great III
voc among the calves and yearlings tn
that section, and that the wolves A
iOiOOlOuo anu udIluO va
ice the advent of the cold snap. A W
mber of like casualties are reported Ii
I'm the Powder river ranges. The &c
unity authorities find they are COM u
lied at last to give their attention to tn
growing evil, and they are there on
e offering free strychnine to all who m
Il use it in the determination of is
,se pests. AS there is bounty Of or
ed for every wolf killed, also a til
4dy market within the territory for wi
skins, many of the cowboys are en- tire
ing into the business of wolf-poison- pn
:, which yields them a handsome
CESS in addition to their regular ca
7 as herders. Unless something is in
he to rid the country of coyotes and wa
Ives, or at least to reduce them in the
nber, next seasons profits in the sci
tie business in Montana will not be tiv
rly so large as heretofore. he'