Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-29
FRONTIER JIM.

Far I'D in the Second canyon of the Vel
iowstone, where the river boiis and tears
along through a narrow gorge heInned IN on
either side by lofty hasaltic walls, lives a
strange character named Frontier Jim" "
Jim Ferguson is his true birthright, but so
long is it since the old fellow has heard his
true baptismal title uttered by human lips
that he has almost forgotten it himself. This
old naountaineer has lived for many decades
In the Isolated spot he calls home, isolated
until the railroad pushed its way up the can
yon and opened gateway into the great
Yellowstone National park. And now that
civilization has found him out, still 1t is
probable that Frontier Jim viii live and die
a hermit among the crags and peaks that
have been his companions for SO many long
years
discovered Frontier Jim some seven or
eight years ego; or, rather, L should have
said that he discovered me. It was about the
fall of 1880 that | CHANGED TO be knocking
about in that part of che United States, and
while riding along through that sublime
chasm of nature known as the Second can
yon, 1 happened TO cast my eyes upward and
was astouisled and surprised to sec perched
high IN the air on the rocky walls overhan5-
ing the deep ssbyss, q hunters rude cabin 1
smnledizteiY disIuounted end allowing cay
use to wander at viii, picking here and there
at the scant but succulent heritage which
cropped out between the rocks, / lay down
on tie grass plot near whero the waters Of
the sngry Yellowstone were boiling and
fixed my eyes ON the house above Inc, Won
deriner what manner of mortal had located
his abode in such a wild, lonesome spot
While gazing in thoughtful aIna2ernent at
the structure was startled nearly out of my
wits by the sound Of human voice almost in
my ear, reInardng in good English:
Purity high up, amt it, stranger3"
sprung to my feet and cast an anxious
eye at my rife resting against rock a few
feet away.
''Don't get frightened, stranger; L amt
a-going to hurt your purity hair"
saw that my new acquaintance was not
a savage, and that he was not DESTROYS of
shedding my blood either, SO 1 langhingly
answered his frst question, and admitted
that the cabin was purity high up"
THAT'S my home Up yonder," said he,
pointing a long, bony finger at the cabin,
IAN If you'll Just sling astride your cayuse
an follow me I'll soon land you Oh top o the
bluff an near the shack"
| mounted and followed my guide, who,
after winding around huge, tottering bowl
ders, along breakneck paths and corkscrew
trails, and again, step by step, up steep,
almost impossible mclines, finally landed me
high and dry at the door Of the shack. With
q wave Of his hand and an obsequious bow,
he kicked the door open with the toe of his
boot and babe me enter. | crossed the
4 a.,
pated. A brace OF powder horns and a pair
of antiquated fintlocks hung against the
wall, deer horns, elk heads and buffalo horns
were suspended from pegs, and the finest
pair of mountain sheep horns l had ever seen
was nailed over the doorway. | had not
learned the Christian title of my new ao-
uuaintance yet, but made bold to put the
question
"James Ferguson 1 go by back in the
States" said he; 'but out here among the
Snakes and Bannocks and the few whites /
see. they call me Frontier jim"
Then l knew that my host was no less
parsonage than the celebrated hunter, trap
per, scout and guide told of by the early
explorers who had crossed the continent
years before seeking an overland route to the
Pacific ocean Frontier Jim was indeed
strange mixture of humanity. He had seen
many other white men before | CHANGED to
stumble upon him, majority of whom had
stopped at his cabin TO rest day and to OBJ
tain information regarding the surrounding
country. Jim had always been on friendly
terms with the Bannocks, Snakes and other
Indians who were generally hostile to the
palefaces; but, 10 own the plain truth, their
hostility or friendliness were matters Of in
difference TO the hunter, as every redskin
who knew him had a wholesome respect for
JimS old sTnooti,bore gun, as well as an IN
disguised admiration for the style in which
the old hunter handled his piece. The scout
understood my inQuiring glance at this once
formidable weapon hanging harTnlessly from
peg, end stepping over he took down the
ancient piece of artillery and proceeded to
explain its beauties and fine points TO me
without delay. He pointed out the admir-
able flint action, the sighting apparatus and
dwelt at length upon its shooting qualities
But, my friend" interrupted I, you are
many years behind the times. This gun
would no doubt have helds its own during
the Mexican war, but now we have fine
breech loaders, repasters and magazine
riheaS
~Hks your innocent soul" said be, step
ping into @ corner and Drawing into view
one of the latest pattern Winchesters, II be-
gan tofhoot with them barkers you see On
the-van there nigh on fifty years ago, when
they IVES the best guns in the country. ]
shot them old fellows and their pups (exhib-
fling d pair OF Mexican flint lock war pistols
until two Years ahsck, when q lot of feliers
game along over the csnpon trail and got me
10 guide them through the park. They made
me present of this yese repeater aud dead
loads o ammunition"
Frontier Jim persuaded me to be bis guest
tor aSday, and that afternoon, just before
dnsk, called my attention to an object stand.
Ing ont in bold relief on q sharp, jagged
point about S25 yards away and upward.
THE outline YVES so clear and distinct that we
had no difficulty 10 recognizing mountain
ram, who evidently was not very well &C.
u,ietuted with Jin's skilfful handling Of q
rife, else be would not have remained there
In stupid igporance, inpadently gazing at Us.
'tSee that isr buck On the rock over against
the skva Well watch NE put daylight
through him. said jim
The Winchester IVES at his shoulder and
fred almost before knew what had taken
place. The sheep made one bound far out
tnro space, ana then came rolling DOWN uns
rocks almost at our feet. looked for the
shot mark and found a rs caliber hole
through the skull Just below the horns The
pld scout cut and dressed the meat and laid
It by for future use, making me present of
The horns.
That night, while sitting around cheer
iul blaze booming from by 10 fire place,
Frontier Jim catching my gaze resting upon
q monster bear skin lying on the floor, said:
ttial tell Won the story Of that hide will