The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-20
THE SANE OLD COWBOYS.
A CURIOUS ATTEMPT TO vINDIcATE
THEM.
In Which the Writer outdoes All Others
In Endowing Them With Superhuman
ualities-Lassoing Jack Rabbits and
Wild Geese.


Miles City Correspondence Of the New York Times.
The ordinary cowboy of the west and
particularly OF the northwest, is the most
thoroughly misunderstood man on the face
OF the earth. Eastern people imagine that
all cowboys carry one or more revolvers
apiece, ride fiery, untamed mustangs, wear
broad sombreros with half-acre brims and
rattlesnake bands, are filled to OVERLOOKING
with profanity and fun, are ready to shoot
on the drop Of hat II not sooner, and are
altogether on par with the blood and
thunder characters portrayed in hashy lit
erature. As a matter OF fact the cowboy OF
nature is no such thing. There isas much
variety in this class as in any other calling
Of life, but as rule all cowboys after be-
coming well broken to harness are gritty,
full Of dash and spirit, lively, brave to
rashncss, generous TO fault, and the very
soul Of honor and hospitality. Meet a
'cowpuncher" alone on the prairie, and
he will share his last crust and only blanket
with you even before the asking.
Miles City is the cowboy headquarters Of
the northwest. Here every variety of the
type can be met with during the roundup
season. One can jostle upon the street
corners men who are veritable cowboys in
every sense OF the word; men who person
ally accompany the round.ups, cut out
cattle. lariat steers, and sleep on the open
prairie with a saddle for pillow and the
starry canopy for coverlet; and yet those
very men, some OF whom are scarcely able
to write their own names, could buy and
sell many OF our so called millionaire ma
hobs OF eastern cities. One class OF cow
boys are college bred men, or sons of col
lege men, who follow the calling for health
and not wealth. Somehow they manage
20 secure both health and wealth, when
really in need Of only the former. A lady
whose home ranch Is in this neighborhood
was sitting on the portico Of a hotel in
Miles City recently waiting for her hus-
band to come in from the ranch. She had
Just arrived from "the States" and had
brought with her friend, young woman,
who was anxious TO see western life. The
visitor had never met the husband or any
relative Of her hostess. Allatonce around
the corner Of the street came dashing ut
almost breakneck speed two cowboys
mounted on plains cayuses. They were
dressed according torule--leather trousers,
flannel shirts, Texas sombreros and top
boots.
"Oh, myl" exclaimed the Mortified visit
or. ''iust look at that horrid cowboy. See
his greasy trousers, big pistols and muddy
boots. Ugh! Let's 20 in"
why that's my husband" said her
companion quietly.
mo, not that one" quickly responded
the lady, flushing crimson. 81 meant the
other"
"Ohl Why, that's my brother"
Matters have so far progressed favorably
since the visitor from the east met these
cowboys that she Is likely soon TO become
the wife Of one Of them. Moral A remark.
able change comes over a man, outwardly,
when he dofs his swallow-tai coat In New
York. comes out west and dons herder's
suit OF leather on the plains.
Another class Of plains her1ersare mad
: eort. to.say the least, who are hcadstrong,
rfrrkv,. always ready for fun OF any de-
scription aud perpetually on the watch TO
starilc out OF his i've senses any unsophis-
ticated tendcrloot fresh from the east who
chances to come along. Still have they a
reckless generosity and rough kind-heart-
ednea wound in among all their faults
which soitens their nature and prevents
them from being hundredth part rs cruel
as they outwardly seem 10 be-
The Northern Pacific railroad cuts di-
reclly through the great cattle range of the
northwest. Passengers on these trains are
always on the watch 10 catch glimpse OF
n genuine cowboy, and you may be SURE
that the boys never let an opportunity slip
by TO siartlc and horrify these innocents
al as. H. 4.
land OF the setting sun. In the Bad Lands
OF Dakota are the ranches OF tho cowboy
nobloman, the Marquis dc Mores, Theo
dore Roosevelt, and many other prominent
men, whose herds roam at will over the
vast free ranges Of the northwest. tn,
style of cowboys at Medon capital Of the
Bad Lands) certainly cclipscs anything o
the kind elsewhere on the continent. Fol
reckless daring and useless exploits OF /
marvellous sort these lads have a repu
taiion second TO none. Scarcely n train
sweeps through the wonderful had Land
but ten or dozen cowboys mounted oil
the worst OF bucking and racing cayus'
bronchos, are cuttingall sorts Of capcrs ant
giving general free circus for the edifica
ton aud amusement oil the wonderin.
passengers, who possibly have never seer
such sights before. Such exhibitions o
cquestrianism tho astonishcd tonderfcc
never dreamed Of just at Mcdora is thu
Little Missouri river SPAWNED 10y trestli
bridge more than 100 feet above the water
In the center, upon the ties, runs mar
row plank walk used by the railroad foot
men, and Il requires a level head an'
y steady cryeseycn for asobcr man TO max
Dir long trip successfully from shore 4
shore. A train loaded with passenger
had stopped ut q water tank Tor n few
minutes Just before crossing the bridge
and the staring tourists were gaping II
opon-eyed wonderat dozen or more COW
punchcn who were cayorting about an
doing all sorts Of impossible things Of
horseback. One Of them would SGT
broncho 10 bucking with MI his might an
then In twinkllng "bur him." Anothe
would throw his beast and leap nimbl
ont Of danger. Another yet would max
extraordinary leaps, a third or fourth pic
up pebbles from the ground while goin
nj fun speed, fifth and sixth would hay
their siecds quietly back on their hauncl
es, sitting up like 10 many dogs, Will
Others would be handling the rope-lassC
ing trees, stones, dogs, Pullman porter
each other, and, in fact, anything With
reach.
All nj once the locomotive snorted u
and spurtcd little stream preparatory
pushing across the bridge and out into III
unknown west. Here was a chance, an
two Of the most daring Of the cowpunchei
lost no time In selling the opportunit,