The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1891-01-07
A KANSAS EXPRESSION.
CURIOUS ORIGIN OF A PECULIAR
PHRASE USED IN THE WEST.

'""NS@ OOED IN TIE WESI
Following Toms wheelbarrow'' Is a
Term That Has Become Very Common.
Who Tom" was-It Means That a
Man Has Done Wrong.
Among the scouts who accompanied
Gen. Sheridan during the campaign
against the Indians in the winter of
lo6S-60, who were attached to headquar-
tiers in the capacity of couriers. selected
for their courage and knowledge Of say.
age methods, was Tom McFadden. who
made a record for himsalf and was one
OF the scouts sent out by Gen. Sheridan
to bring "Sa-tan-ta' in as u hostage
when the villainous old savage was sit
ting on his horse apart from his grea,
band of allied warriors on knoll. con.
tempiating whether to attack the troous.
VINO were in battle array one morning
IN front OF Fort Cobb, and who was ex.
tremely inpudent. McFaalden was after
ward one of Gen. Miles scouts in his
wonderful campaign against the Indians
in 1871
Late In the fan of 1867 McFadden and
two other trappers established \ canlp ON
the Paradise. about two miles above ite
junction with the Saline. They had re-
markable luck, and in short time had
accumulated a large lot of pelts, fur.
buffalo hams and elk and deer meat
They possessed but one small team Of
horses, and their supplies running lew
they concluded to go to the then embryo
town of Ellsworth. on the Smoky Hill
which had Just been started on account
OF its proximity to Fort Harker. then the
most important military depot and nos,
on the plains. It was also the nearest
trading point for the many hunters scat
tered along the rivers and stTeams OF the
wilderness of central Kansas. and aboat
seventy miles from McFaddens c,upp
SO Mac and one of his partners hoofe.l il
into the new town. intending to hire
teams TO bring their meat and skins to
the railroad, TO purchase their needed
supplies, including poison-the most nee
essary article Of all their wants-with
which to kill wolves.
FINDING TUE RARRow
Arriving at Ellsworth they vainJy an
deavored to hire teams. bat all in the
region had been employed by the guar
termaster's department at Fort Harker
In hauling hay from the various grass
camps in the vicinity. 50 theY had to 20
back, as they had left their only other
partner alone in camp With bat A few
rounds of ammunition and the indians
anything but friendly The railroad. at
the time Of their arrival ut Ellsworth
was running a train TO what is now
Bunker Fill. then only water tank sta
ton, to which point they ahipped their
supplies. as 1t was some miles neares
their camp, intending TO pack the most
needed articles on their backs and return
with their own team in few DAYS for
those things they could not take along
After arriving at Bunker Hill and
dumping their supplies on the little plat
form. dreading 20 atart out on their long
tramp loaded down with what they must
take, intending to store the rest In some
secure place until they could come for
them. McFadden happened to see n nile
OF wheelharrows belonging to the rail
road company piled bottom side up along
the track, and with the inspiration that
is born of genius he tnrnel to his part.
ner and said. Dan, this darned question
OF transportation is settled right here
for here Is IL vehicle that looks IA II IT |
was constructed for onr special purpose
at this ticklish juncture
SO, waiting until the station men were
out OF SIGHT. they proceeded To load up |
one OF the fortunately discovered wheel. |
oarrows with their supplies. which in
ciucSd among many smaller things 900 |
pounds OF fonr. and away thew went
across the high prairie toward their
camp Their route went over a smooth
country until they neared the ..brealrs~
OF the Saline. and then it required a
good knowledge Of the region 10 find a
passage through the PERCEPTIONS lime
stone bluffs which characterize that Dor.
ton Of Kansas.
FOLLOWING THE TRAIL.
1t Is a difficult matter. or rather was
in those early days, for "tenderfoot- to
iind his way down into the valley of the
Saline. as it is the most lumpy region in
that part of the state. Knowing the
whole country well. Tom and his part.
ner struck for the nearest point on the
river. satisfied that with their unioue
means OF transportation they could e.
down the bluffs anywhere and crose
stream where wagon would ~
to attempt it. AT last the
hunters arrived at their
but with their supplies inta &
The next season that j. 80. i
which grew to be phenomeb ~ -.
to,,,1.;-,- e.'I ~ 0 ttae beautiful and
~. SsI. 81 the tributaries Of
=, 80 - Se the only route
ro,,,-h vas through the
i, = the Onion Pacific
starting points the
sad Bunker Hill was %