The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-07-18
II WAS AMAD STAMPEDE.
HOW A POOR soUArTER MADE
HIMSELF WELCOME.
An kxcItins Eplsods % : Kansas Rsnch--
A Rushing Herd Of Cattle and
brave Mans Act In Saving
an Innooent Life. ~

In the year 49, was employed a.
. herder at Merrilrs ranch. out in
Western Kansas. Ours was one of the
most extensive ranches In the state.
and there was quite little army OF
men and boys connected with IL One
OF the duties with which we were
charged was that of keeping the range
which was government land, free OF
settlers.
when you see . covered wagon.
said our manager, keep your eyes on
1t, and take care that 1t don't stop on
our grazing lands"
.'But suppose" questioned one, 1.-THE
owner Of wagon should refuse to
move on. Then what are we to do?"
Il guess there's enough OF us here, :"
replied the manager. Ito see that he
does move. II any man should be
foolhardy enough TO squat here after
being notified not to do so. 1t will be-
our business to rout him out
/ did not look with favor on this
arrangement and neither did the
majority OF the herders. Our sympa-
thies were with the poor home-seekers,
and we knew that both the law and
justice gave them the right to own the
land OF which our range was composed.
However. we said nothing at the time.
but continued about our duties.
During the next month several
wagons drove across our range, but
none OF them halted within our limits.
Then one day, late in the afternoon.
there came an old canvas-covered
wagon, dilapidated and shackling to
the last degree. drawn by span of
poor bony horses that could scarcely
more than creep. saw the poor out
fit crawling along the edge of the tim
Der and watched it until saw 1t halt
at a point less than fourth OF a mile
from the ranch. l saw a man come
out of the wagon and after looking
about for a minute or so, proceed to
unhitch his team and turn them out to
Craze. felt it my duty to warn him
to move on. so l rode down TO the
wagon for that purpose. The man was
atall, thin, sickly-looking person whose
surroundings proclaimed him victim
OF extreme. poverty. l was touched by
his appearance, and as gently rs /
could, / informed him of the necessity
of Immediately vacating the spot. AS l
spoke his pale sharp features lighted
up with the fire of indignation, and in
reply he said:
1--WE made my last move, unless I'm
driven by force. I've been run about
from place to place by the cattlemen
till I've got nothing left and I'm tired
of it. This land is open for settlement
and have right to q claim here,
and propose to have it."
but you can't hold it," reasoned.
They'll burn your wagon and kill
your horses"
Just let them try it," he replied,
laying his hand on pistol which hung
at his side. Some OF them wouldn't
burn any more wagons"
reasoned with the man rs best /
could but he refused to move on, and
at last turned away from him hoping
his presence might not be noticed that
evening by any of our people. and that
by the following morning he might see
the wisdom of moving on.
/ had only gone short distance
when l met little boy running across
the prairie. and as he stopped to adj
mire my gaudy cowboy" attire and
trappings, spoke to him and asked
his name.
I'm Johnnie Merrill, he answered.
"Me'n my pa just come down here to-
day, an my pa he's gone to look at the
cattle an I'm goin' down there to that
wagon. My pa he owns this ranch.
you know, an he let me come down
here with him this time"
II had not gone far, after leaving the
boy, when / met a man cantering along
on horseback. and as he was stranger,
and well dressed. rightly judged that
he was Mr.. Merrill. just as we met
he happened to notice the old wagon,
and refining in his horse. he said:
What is that over there by the tim
ber?"
"a homeseeker, replied.
''Oh, squatter, eh9 Well. go over
and tell him to move on"
1--WE already warned him." an
swered.
lis he going away. then?'
II don't know. He is very poor,
and is very sick, but 1 think he'll go
tomorrow.
..Mr. Merrill saw at once that was
attempting to screen the man, and
with flash OF anger he said:
you 60 down and tell the boys that
I said that squatter must not be there
at sun down. Do you understand mep"
II do. said !, as turned away.
81 rode leisurely down in the d.
rection OF the herd and found the
boys working the cattle back toward
| the ranch.
l informed old Ike, who was the
leader among the '.boys." OF what
! Merrill had said. and the whole force
| gathered around to listen. / also told
OF my interview with the squatter. Old
Ike scratched his head for moment
then slowly said:
| wall. here's q mess. shore. I'm
agin runnin' them settlers off in any
| -. n. "a n