Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-04-14
On The PLAINS.
By FRED J. HAMILTON.

By FRED ]. HAMILTON.
An accident had happened on the night
express train coming into Buffalo, and 6
good many of tine boys who were going
west were compelled to stay over. 1 sup
pose there were dozen or so who had as
sembled in the hotel parlor, and among
them "Old Tom" Gregg. Everybody knows
Tommy Gregg, who is one of the veteran
drummers in the clothing trade. Tom is
pretty well in years now, and although fair
ly we'll off he has never been married. He
still aticks to the road with the pertinacity
of a knight Grant, for the simple reason
that he can't leave it alone.
Whenever Tommy is asked how long he
has been drummer he says ever since he
was born-for he asserts that he first saw
the light in travellers trunk on the St.
Joe MO- and Hannibal Railroad. He
says this with so serious an air that you
can't tell whether he is in dead earnest OF
is joking.
Be that as it may, Tommy was the life
of the party, and the accident suggested
the recital of several experiences under
somewhat similar circumstances. Short
and interesting stories were told of how
several of the smart young men had got
ahead of time even under more trying
circumstances than q commonplace rail-
road collision.
One reminiscence bought up another,
and then Tom was asked to give his ex-
perience. The old fellow, for he must be
well into the ffties. took drink, laid down
his cigar, and said:
well, boys. I've told many yarns in my
day, but there's one subject upon which I
have purposely kept silent. l think it is
now about time to let her co. but why l
have kept silent is because 1 have been
somewhat nervous about its moral effect,
that is to say, that | was little afraid I
should be set down as the darndest liar in
the businessmen even excepting Dick
Chapman yonder, who at present holds the
champions belt for knocking out Che
truth"
We'll, Tommy, you 60 ahead" remarked
Ed Green, who is in the suspender, or, as
he calls it, the astretcber" trade, aand if
you can discount Chapman, you must be a
daisy indeed"
Chapman said he had nothing to say,
and even if he had it was too late to get q
notary public to swear him on his afi-
davit.
"But this yarn is true, boys, responded
Gregg, earnestly, "and that's why I'm
shaky on the credit you'll give it. Here
goes, anyway:
alt was in the year 1867. I was commits
stoned by st. Louis house to take charge
OF wagon train, consisting of four wagons
with four mule team to each, to carry a
general cargo of clothing and furnishings
to several sutler posts along the dry trail
of the Arkansas River, taking in the mill
tary posts betweens Fort Hays, Kansas and
Fort Union, New Mexico. It was a rough
job, but there was lots Of money in it both
for the firm and myself, for had the priv
ilege Of buying all the buffalo robes could
get on my return journey, and for cup of
molasses, few beads and tobacco, could
buy from the Indians and the soldiers for
q mere song No. / robes beautifully en-
broidered with bead-work that would sell
readily in st. Louis at from So to $12
apiece-goods for which the buyers could
easily get double the money.
"The firm had given me letter to the
Deputy Quartermaster General of the De-
partment Of the Missouri, which was then
commanded by Gen. Hancock, who had
his headquarters at Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas, requesting that I be furnished
with such military protection as the rules
OF the service allowed. The goods were
sent by rail to Leavenworth. where was
to hire my wagons, mules, and drivers, and
buy one or two serviceable repeating rifles
for additional security.
"The venture was then q new one, and
few firms except government contractors,
sent their goods out in that way. The |
general rule was for remote frontier GUS
toners to come into st. Louis to buy them
and cart them back at their own risk.
The experience was exciting and fasci- |
mated me, for was then a young fellow,
robust, full of energy. and the opportuni-
y promised me not only plenty Of excite |
ment but lots of profit as we'll.
General Easton, the deputy Quarter.
master General. Endorsed my application.
and said I probably wouldn't need it until
l reached Fort Hays, near Hays City, at
that time the terminus of the Eastern Di-
vision of the Union Pacific Railroad.
Much to my annoyance most of my
eeansters were sgeasers (Mexicaus), of |
whom engaged four, and two white men.
The Mexicans wanted to get back, and / |
thought it might save q little money by
hiring them. The two white wagon boss
es wouldn't move under SIS per month and
rations. To these terms / was compelled
10 assent.
well. we got eur train into pretty good
shape and reached Hays City, about three
miles from the fort, in as many DAVIS After
that we struck Ellsworth CITY. one of
those portable settlements composed prin-
cipally of traders, toughs, saloon keepers.
and q dozen 'emporiums of fashion patron
lied by the frontier dudes of those times.
They mentally overhauled my stock
and fixins, and said I'd have no trouble in
getting them off my hands. provided had
q clar route which meant if I hadn't
trouble with the Indians. Then ore.
scented my letter to the commanding officer
ct Fort Hays and got my first set back.
sHe said he hadn't any cavalrymen to
spare, al the service needed all the force
be had. but il didn't mind taking along
two infantrymen who had charge Of 4 IA.