Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-04-14

Station, which was under bluff, We came
across coil of about thirty rattlesnakes
partially embedded in the soil, where they
had hidden for warmth, for it was in the
month of November and bitterly cold.
They were partially torpid, but those which
were in the inner cold slowly unwound
themselves on our approach.
I'VE fired several shots into them, and
the result was that secticrs of rattlesnake
we're sent sent flying in eli directions. The
frozen and exposed reptiles were broken in
two just as though you were splitting dry
wood for kindling. It was the most curious
sight you ever saw, and not without Its
comical side, too"
| ASerio-comic," chimed in Ed Green.
| "Thats knock down No. for Chapman,
anyway"
| 3Well, if you fellers never saw frozen
| rattlesnake that isn't my fault, replied
Gregg. But as I'm telling this story, and
not you, I'll take the responsibility for &C
curacy. Monument Station was one
horse post, consisting mainly of adobe
shanties half dug in the ground. did a
little business with the sutler, but got no
escort. We stayed there one night. II
was here got my first wrinkle in camp
| life on the plains. Before leaving one of the
officers asked if had good tent. Isaid yes.
but wondered what earthly use tent would
be at such a time of the year. He replied
| that if didn't want to freeze to death ]
| shouldn't attempt to sleep in the wagon,
| as, being new to the country. the exposure
| would affect me more rapidly than one who
| was acclimated.
"This was his advice: sPve tried it., he
| said, and know what I'm talking about.
Get your tent out; pitch it in front of your
| fire, say twelve feet away. Then should it
| snow, get one Of your teamsters to dig a
small trench about six inches deep, put a
couple of buffalo robes in it, lie down and
! have your men pack the snow tightly
around the outer robe above you; crawl in
and you'll sleep as sound as top. You'll
| find it big improvement on the wagon
bed room and you'll not catch cold SO read
lily. You will have in addition what heat
your feet can get from the IRE anu you viii
be able to arouse yourself much sooner in
| case of a surprise
Il tried it dozen times or more, and
have always found it work like charm. I
never got frost bitten, nor have I had
chills or fever, which SO many people get
in their first experience of life on the
plains.
"To make long story short, however,
my venture proved remarkably successful.
l visited Forts Hays, Harker, Zarah,
Larned. and Fort Dodge. There was no
such place as Dodge City in those days. I
had sold three-fourths of my stock, and
had had one or two skirmishes with In
and corporal who had been sent from
Harker aided me materially in keeping
them at safe distance.
"My next stopping place was at Fort
Union, N. M. 1 had been out about two
days when my little party was surrounded
by gang of horse thieves, of whom there
were dozen, against myself and my six
men. The Mexicans, with but one excep-
ton, turned towards. The time of attack
was about sunrise, and at first 1 thought
they were Indians. Presently recognized
they were white men. Following the In.
dian fashion, they succeeded in stamped.
ing the mules, after cutting the traces of
the harness. Our attention was principally
directed to the mules, which then formed
the most valuable part of our outfit.
"One of my white teamsters was shot
through the right arm, which bled so CO.
piously that thought he was a goner.
Placing white handkerchief on the bar
rel Of my rifle signaled for parley.
"The leader lowered his weapon and
men of man as I had ever seen.
"'Wot goods ave you got thar?'
II told him that had small stock of
wooden shirts, drawers, and the usual kind
of clothing worn on the plains.
1--WE heerd tell, he said, sas you was in
this section hereabouts, an we want some
o them clothes, an if yer don't part civil
we'll make yer
"Of course I had to let him take his
choice, Then at signal five of his men
covered us with their rifles while the rest
went to the wagon in which the goods were,
cut the bales and proceeded to help them
selves, trying on the garments and leaving
their discarded clothing in the wagon.
This occupied not more than half an hour,
and then the five men we're relieved and
they took their turn at dressing up in new
forgery. Before saying eood-by the leader
said: THAT mans ARM, referring to the
wounded teamster, lis in bad way. Guess
if yer come to my 'oss (picketed about fifty
away with the others I've got summat in
my saddle bag as II do him good was j
struck by the mans evident sincerity and
his offer of small bundle of
herbs. I used it with great advantage
to the poor fellow, for it allayed the |
Judging by the condition |
Of the clothes they had left they sadly |
needed q change of raiment. But the |
strangest part of the story is yet to come,
for sewed up in the lining of an old vest,
found small parcel containing nire dia- |
monds and about four ounces of gold dust.
The man had forgotten to take them in his |
hurry to get away. Well, gentlemen, those |
diamonds more than paid for the value of |
The stolen goods.
"The party were thorough desperadoes,
and was composed, as afterward learned, |
Of deserters and miners vino were wanted |
by the vigilantes in Colorado and New
Mexico.
@The mules returned mules, BY the
way, always return to q good thing-and
soon after we were met by troop Of the
Tenth United States Cavalry, portion Of
which escorted us safely into Fort Union.
sWell, and how much did you get for the
Tommy" asked Chapman.
Exactly $722."
@Seems strange to me that they didn't 70
FOR your money. That's the only suspi-