Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1885-06-20
Last of the Buffalo.

Last Of the Buffalo.
A correspondent Of the New York
Sun, writing from Miles City, Mon
tana, says that millions of buffaloes
have been killed in the past seven
years, principally for their hides,
and that the animal has practically
been wiped out Of existence. re-
member, the writer says, accom-
panylng the military expedition Of
1877 up the Yellowstone River to
the mouth Of Tongue River, and en-
countering on the journey more
Luffaloes than 1t would be possible
intelligently to describe on paper.
Figures carry but little idea of the
vast herd OF animals, and were | to
say that one herd we passed
through, travelling for three days
without being out of sight Of bison
during daylight, numbered far up
into the hundred thousands, it
would perhaps he falling short Of
the real number Of butfaloeS that
actually composed that mighty
mass.
When we had passed through
this herd at the close Of the third
day, about 3 O'Clock in the after
noon, the scouts reported another
tremendous herd in the distance,
coming directly toward us at full
speed. Quickly our party sought
tile protection of the neighboring
Duties, while a few OF us climbed a
rocky eminence on the open prairie
and waited with interest the APP
pIoach of the rushing mass. On
they came, heller SHELTER, pell nell,
and when the leader reached the
mound or billock upon which we
were perched the great herd divi-
ded into two parts and swept by us
like the wind, half on either side
We gaze,l in wonder and awe at
the sea of black, shaggy life rolling
like pillows at our feet. Far as
the eye could see was All ocean of
buffaloes, surging and swaying like
the waves, while the awful rllmb.
ling sound and shaking Of the
earth made our heads little dlz-
~. All that afternoon the animals
kept up their flight, and it was
NOT until the sun sank behind the
tall mountains that their numbers
began to lessen ndleftus free to eS-
cape from our temporary prison.
Tile herd which we travelled
through for three days was not in
motion. but was encountered i'll
small scattered bands and lined
every foot of the road we travelled.
Nevertheless it WAS one single
herd, as it was continuous, though
broken. But the last herd, which
was moving at high speed, was
packed so thick that l believe it
contained fully as many animals as
the first herd. They flew BY MS
for five hours on a dead run, and
the horizon of our sight was bound
ed by nothing but the dark black
hides of the noble animals them
selves.
In 1877 the plains and prairies of
Montana we're tile home Of the
buffalo. AS long as the Indians re-
manned hostile and at war with the
whites, just so long was the saliva,
ton of the buffalo assured. When
the Indians were captured and
corralled upon reservations it left
the bisoD to the mercy Of white pot
hunters and deadly repeating rifles,
and the two together have done the
business for them.
In 1S15the buffalo ranges extend.
ed as far east as Illinois, Minneso
ia and Iowa; in short, the Missis-
sipni River marked the eastern
boundary OF their grazing grounds.
On lie west the main Rocky Noun
tain ridge was the limit Of their
pastures, and between these Two
natural boundaries the buffalo
loaned over the vast plains OF the
West migrating with the seasons
north and south from the shores OF
the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico
They were at the mercy OF the va
rious Indian tribes, but the In
dams were merciful. From thls
one animal the red man drew the
main necessaries of life. The hides
furnished clothing, beds and lodge
coverings. The horns were used
as ornaments, and also furnished
various kitchen utensils. The flesh
was their staple food, and thell
siuews became arrow cords. Inc
Indians used the animal, but did
not abuse it. The herds in those
days south Of the present inter
national boundary line, strictly Ill
the United States, must have con