The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-05-24
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
Tie Weeks DOiIgS at the Ma
tiOnal Capital



one OF the greatest scouts who ever lived, and
after whom Fort BridgeT was named. he was
q peculiar fellow, but as good as gold. Once
there came out TO the post at which was sta
lioued an Euglishman, who was dong the
States he had heard so much Of the famous
Bridger that he was anxious to see him and get
some material from him 10 help make interest
ing a book that be was writing on the country.
BridEer would not tell him anything for long
while but the officers encouraged the English
man, however, TO persevere; that after awhile
BridgeT would get in the humoT and be more
communicative. He persevered as directed,
and one day Bridger said to him: Well, if you
care to listen, ] VIII tell you an adventure
when Bowman, my partner, and l were trap
ping up on one of the forks Of the Colorado.
One day we ran on 70 a party of just lOO In
dams, who pursued Us. After we had been
chased for some time, / suggested TO Bowman
that those Indians had iresuer horses than We
had. and were Overtakiug us, and 1t was only
question Of time when they would catch us,
and told him to ride Oh as fast as he could;
that / would dismouut and hold them back
awhile then mount and ride up TO where he was
and be could DO the same.
- Bowman agreed 10 what / said. jumped
of my horse, and, picking out a good position,
managed TO Kill = Indians. ], then mounted
and rode OF as fast as / could, with the Indians
madden than wolves tearing after me. They
ran up TO where Bowman was stationed. He
was just as good a shot as | was, aud he killed
% This yOu see. left Just 30 Indians in the
party. They were not hufied OF, however,
and came right on as fast as ever. The next
time got in my work and knocked over ID of
them, and then Bowman he killed j. more
There were now, OF course. only 20 left who
came after as again fall tilt, madder'n ever.
] took another turn at them and killed five,
and Bowman be took crack and killed five,
which left 10. Still, they would not be scared
of. but followed Us bard aud fast. BY this
time, too. our ammunition was gone, and our
horses given completely out. We had come 10
the foot Of a tai mountain that stood right up
from the plain. On the opposite side 1t was
sheer precipice-a solid wall Of rock from top
10 bottom. We ran up our side Of the mount
ain, with the Indians in fun cry after Us thirst
ing TO avenge the blood Of their fallen COM
rades You viii remember that We had not
single shot left
80 Well said the Englishman. excitedly, as
Bridger paused for an instant in the narration.
Why said Bndger, they overlook and
killed Us BOTH
STATUE OF LEWIS CAss.
Michigan has made a very appropriate selec-
ton for one Of her two Representatives In the
a Marble Room of the Capii0l-in which each
State is entitled 20 place statues Of two Of her
most distinguished citizens-of Gen. Lewis
Cass, whose statae, made by French, q sculptor
Of high reputation, viii probably be put la pO
siUiOn IN August. Its place vail be between the
statues OF Ethan Allan aud Gov. ITumbull. aHd
the customary ceremonies viii be performed
with both Houses Of Congress participating.
Gen. Cass had long and most honorable career
in the public service. He was born in Exeter.
n. H.. IN 1882, but migrated TO Ohio when
young man and entered up0n the practice Of
the law. he entered the ARMY at the begin
ming Of the war Of 1872 and was very active
and efficient as the Colonel Of a regiment. He
was the first man to land any troops on the
enemy's shore, and fought and q small
battle before the cspituiation of Detroit. For
this he was appointed Colonel Ia the Regular
Army, and eventually promoted 20 the rank Of
BrigadicT-Genersll. Having no command, how
ever, he served on the staff Of Gen. Harrison,
with whom ne was at the final victory over
Proctor at the crossing Of the Thames. at the
close Of the WAY be entered political life. Was
appointed Secretary Of War hy President jack
son, and subsequently, Minister TO France, where
he remained until 1872. il I545 he was elected
Senator fr0m Michigan. but resigned the posi-
ton IN isis 10 become the Democratic Candi-
date for President. AIgaE Ills defeat by Gen.
Taylor be was reelected rs tle Senate When
Buchanan became President C.,ss was made
Secretary u State, bat he resigned IN Decen-
Der 1859, because he was so wholly cut OF SYM
patty with the Secession ly5l icy that dominated
the Administration at that time. lie was IN
ardent supporter of the Union cause through
Out the war and until his death, which oc-
Cured june i. 1866.
LITTLE ZOOLOGY.
last Friday two large beasts-four-legged
ones-arriVed here from western Nebraska
consigned 10 the Smithsonian Institution. and
were duly placed in a spacious paddock built ex-
pressiy Tor them IN rear 81 the main building.
These BEASTS are a buffalo Buii and COW. and
Professor Go05e, the Naturalist Secretary Of
The Institution, tells ne that be does not be-
lieve that hundred Of these huge animals stin
exist The buffalo Of America Is q very differ
eBJ animal from what is designated by that
name 10 Africa aud India. aUd at the time this
country WAS FIRST settled r5zmed Al viii over all
the space iron Maine 10 tla Roxy Mountains
On the norJa, and from FLORIDA TO the same
range Oh the south.
Just after the rebellion ] Joined a cavalry
regiment o. the plains. aud then I used often
70 thi4k Of thar passage I'D Scripture that tells
Us 81 =" tAc cattle upJa = Thousand hills Is
the column 70 which ms troop was attached
would pass over a divide buffalo could be seen
~ here's II many thousands Bu every hagd as
far a. sight extended. The only crossings we
cogid fa1 o. the streams in many places were
tie points where those almost countless mill
lions OF animals had trOd down the banks In
their search twice each day Iar water.
Yet, when 1 was BOY, sosle half a century
ago In Oai0- the buffalo bad already been driven
- far west IS the broad prlrles OF Illinois, and
now they are almost extinct. Ia lo57, when
we were cam paIEnIug across country from the
Arkansas 10 The Platte, 70 drive the turbulent
Dog Soldiers" lCueyeu.es kjowas. Sioux
aud AfApahues from the rapidly extending
ends Of t8e Kansas and onion Pacific Railways
We could carry but iiLt.e with US aud il be-
came The rule TO take oaly quantity Of salt
along. while regular details were made eaCl
day from each troop Of men or officers Whose
duty was ~ kill aud butcher buIlo for food
u was fact that GA each arrival AZ a garrison
embellIsucd with a coHtaissssry st0rehouse, the
FIRST demand Of officers aud men was for sal
EIe4ts-pOrk Or c0Euc4-bcet.
So plentiful were the 1Elaio then that tht
hunting details never thought even Of startiu,
for meat until the day march was nearly end
GO, and Il any hunter brought iu amy thing bu
meat be had cut out from a yeariiug COW. b.
felt u necessary to defend himself from tht
sarcastic remarks or worse. OF bis ules5matcs
by 4scribIng the fault u his horse being playe,
out
When we read Of animals, or fowls. or fish
being extinct it is apt 10 give the impression
that great ages must have elapsed since they
ran, new swan. yet here is a noble beas
that but a few years ago. less than a quarter of
century, ranged in many millions over thou
sands upon thousands of square miles, 50 at
terry exJerminated that these two poor
scEawny, ragged coated beasts are brought her
70 Washington, from almost 1000 miles away
TO be carefully preserved is specimens