Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-07-08
DREADFUL COWBOYS.
hidins Like fiends Over a RailrOaa
bridge One Hundred Feet High.
From the 81. Paul Pioneer Press

From the 81. Paul Pioneer Press
n gentleman who came in yesterday adds
shother TO the list of cowboy stories that is en-
Tilted to rank with any of the novel perform
ances OF these daredevil fellows. When the
Train stopped at Medora, the headquarters Of
the Marquis de Mores and Theodore Roosevelt,
some ten or dozen cowboys, mounted on their
typical horses, were cutting all kinds OF capers
Tor the edificatlon of the citizens and passen-
gers. They were putting the horses through
reckless evolutions and maneuyers, giving an
exhibition of equestrianism that astonished the
tenderfeet on board the train Inc boys had
Just come in from a roundup, and were hqsh
with money and considerably flushed with Da-
kota tangIefoot. The railroad bridge, which
spans the Little Missouri river at this point, is
at least 100 feet above the surface of the water.
To enable footmen to cross a narrow plank
walk-not more than two feet wide-fs laid
along on the ties, from shore to shore, in tn e
center of the bridge. 1t requires steady nerve
for man TO make the trip successfully, with
tween the ties into the river far below, which,
OF course, would mean certain DEATH Two of
the cowboys-more reckless than their compan n
fons-rode their horses upon the track at rapid
gait, and then, in single file, dashed on to the
bridge and made for the other side, flying along
on Tue narrow plank walk just as ii they were
racing across the prairie after an obstreperOus
bovine.
The spectators were thrilled with horror, and
expected to see the two daring men dashed to
oeaIh at every jump the horses made The
riders yelled yocfferOusly, and rode with the
Saine easy commence tney always OlSplay Wneu
al home upon the plains. One of them was
somewhat in advance of the other, and passen-
gers were astonished and their suspense greatly
relieved when he reached the other side safely
and gave vent to regular yell of triumph. But
MS companion was not SO lucky. He was
within thirty yards of the end of the bridge
going at full speed-when his horse stumbled.
the rider was seen to sway to and fro for a
few seconds, and to make desperate effort to
pull the animal on its feet again, and then went
down in heap. The crowd of on-lookers with
one impulse gave vent to cry of terror,
and number of people started out on the
bridge TO render assistance to the unfOr-
tunate fellow. But almost Immediately the
fallen cowboy arose, helped the horse upon its
teeEip some miraculous way-mounted, and
cleared the remaining space with rush, yell
Ing hike demon as he flew down the track on
The other side, in hot pursuit OF his companion,
VINO was almost out of sight, and running as if
ne were trying to get out of the way OF q ey-
clone. III horse or rider was injured neither
showed signs OF it from the distance that inter
vened. The cowboy must have had the skin
scraped OFT his shanks at any rate. Evidently
the horse fell over on its side on the board walk
and managed TO keep its legs free from the
spaces between the ties, thus saving itself from
serious injury. 1t was one of the most fool
hardy featS on record.