The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1888-02-17
ON THE PLAINS.
Experiences Of a Youngster II
Search of Adventure.
A Journey Across the Plains with
Wagon Train-ROw in CamP-A
Tussle with the Red
Skins.

Yes, my son, I know just how it
feels-have been along the same path
in my day-and novels did it.
When / was but STRIPPING I was
seized by the mad desire to go West
and fight Indians. Ibid not wish to go
West and grow up with the country.
1t was my mad, passionate desire to 20
West and allow the country to grow
up with me, while 1 proceeded to NOW
down the painted savage with a brier
scythe. You have to-day, no doubt,
the same longing, yearning, that 1 had
1t is human nature, and the only
remedy is a little dash into the Crow
country
The Indian Of to-day is materially
different from the denizen of the sage
bush in my day. But they say that if
you get him cornered he can drink as
much whisky and rum as could his re-
vered ancestor in 1850.
I went West In those days such
luxury as coupon ticket to Fort
Keogh would have been looked upon
as "A monstrosity; therefore from St
Louis-at which place they have kept
mean whisky for strangers from time
unknown was forced to proceed
TO Fort Leavenworth by steam
er. The journey required three weeks
of time. but the hours were diversified
with many amusements. My youthful
cOnfiding nature was very much alb
sorbed in harmless little game, which
man with one eye and a red beard
played with three cards. 1t cost me
five dollars to ascertain which was the
jack.
Down in the cabin of the steamer
they also ran charming game twenty
four hours per day. 1t was very amusing
to watch the def actors as each played
his little trump and stuffed an ace or
two into his tall calf skin boOt-legs;
but on the whole, it was trifle dan
gerous. as whenever they shot man
or two, the whole house would begin n
general target practice until the lights
were shot out, when they would play
fully carve each other with their bowie
knives until another light was pro-
duced. when the shooting would COM
mence again and last until the ammu-
milton gave ont, when all parties would
shake hands and 60 up to the bar and
take a drink. after which the game
would be resumed.
My nerves were always of weak
disposition, aud consequently l felt
quite unstrung during their little mat
inees, and generally kept out of the
way. And then my noble nature re-
volted against shedding blood, which l
feared / should be forced to do should
] mingle in the fracaS, so Iretired each
time to my stateroom in the least pos
sibe time. and crawled under the lower
bunk in order to keep from hurting
somebody.
BY the time that the boat arrived at
Fort Leavenworth / had decided that
the Western mode of life was rather
familiar. Instead of seeking blood, rs
had imagined in my own bOyish
dreams, / now had to climb to keep
out Of its reach.
AT Fort Leavonworth / saw Indians.
One noble scion of the wilderness. who
wore red blanket with a black stripe
near the edge, approached me with un.
becoming familiarity for stranger
and ] had just formed a resolution e
either run or kill him, when he held
out q grimy paw, and exclaimed as il
in rapturous satisfaction;
ugh! Howl"
With that degree of civility becom'
ing a true Western man. returned his
greeting, gave him chew of tobacco
and asked him how crops were up in
his parts. Thereupon he became fa,
friend, and returned TO his native
haunts the following day with my va,
lise and contents. With that one breacl
of fidelity fell my Landed anticipation,
of the noble red man as n friend. As
an enemy, had vet to know him.
Fort Leavenworth did not seem Il
strike me as an ideal fort 1t was sur
rounded by n stockadc, or high fence
of which / am reminded when see ,
garden OF meadow patch with q ten
foot board fence around it, and all tn,
cracks battened over to keep the con
tents of the garden from getting out
and the nloduS oporGndt Of the concern
didn't agree with my established ideas
The victuals, however, were of rea
Western flavor and were garnisheC
with flies. afterwards found out tina
in fort life flies are indispensable.
When the cook spilled the content
Of the pepper-box i'm the Coloneps eof
fee, had the rare opportunity of hear
ing the simple and pleasing Western
vernacular'' of which / had read s.
often. In substance, IL didn't diffe
fer from the unvarnished address O
..sonie mute. inglorious Milton" VIII
had run his plowpoint under hickor