The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-04-30
AWILDWEST EPISODE

In the early summer of 1884 left nv ma
tive state and turned my steps toward that
goal of all youthful aspirations the Gold
en- West" or, to be more explicit, that part
of the west embraced in the territory of
Dakota. At Mandan, a thriving young
city on the Northern Pacific railroad, |
hoped to find employment as the division
offices of the road We're located at that
place.
| had worked the wires at a little way
side crossing in Michigan for six years
had served as bookkeeper, also, and even
added the duties of target man to my other
responsibilities when business was dull and
word passed along the line that Expenses
must be cut down" But, like all young
fellows of my age, ] wanted TO see some
thing of the world, and so | started out,
with no certainty of lettering myself and
without the prospect of a position.
Fortune, however, favored me, and a
temporary vacancy in the telegraph depart
menJ at Mandan afforded me employment
until something better should offer itself
! was fast making myself at home in nv
new situation, when one morning | was
called into the superintendent Office and
informed that better position, financially
speaking, was TO be had a days Journey
up the road; but" added the superin-
tendent, looking me over critically, sit is
rough, wild place, Baxter, and we must
have a fellow of nerve"
What young man of twenty-one would
not have jumped at an offer like that when
refusal virtually meant acknowledged cow
ardice? Not l, at least, and so eager was |
to be off that set about packing my traps
at once, and the next train up numbered
me among its passengers.
Gazing idly from the window as we
whirled along, l noted that, after miles of
trackless, treeless prairie was crossed, the
country changed and grew more broken,
the rolling hills finally merging into pre-
cipitous "buttes," cleft by deep canyons.
We had entered the Bad Lands, and
dreary stretch of country it was. As far
as the eye could see huge masses of sand
stone IN fantastic shapes strewed the level
floor of the alkah plain. 1t seemed TO be
some vast deserted city. so like to mans
handiwork were the spires and domes. walls
and arches, uucEiseled save by natures
forces.
Wild, indeed, ! thought, and wondered if
anything save coyotes and cacti grew up
with that part of the country
The conductor, a pleasant young chan.
presently sat down beside me for a chat.
Coin TO Mingusyille, are your" he re-
marked, My run is this side. Coin to
stay long,"
i have been sent to take charge of that
station" ! replied.
You don't sayl l heard that the agent
skipped out the other day with a bullet
hole in his hat. Sent YOU on TO take his
place ! reckon
What had the agent done." 1 inquired.
aghast.
"Wore a stiff hat-he was green in the
business, you see. One day a lot of drunken
cowboys was huntin around for a target.
and when he showed up they filled that
hat plum full of holes. Them fellers lust
about run things up here" he continued
cheerfully. Well. here's luck to you. Nv
stop-of! So long!' and he left me TO nv
reflections. l was in for it now and must
make the best Of it, but during the rest OF
that ride | thought Of a certain small
Michigan Office with regret
1t was far into the night when / arrived
at Mingusville, and standing on the plat
form | gazed sleepily after the receding
train until the glmmering row of lights
was no longer visible: then feeling that
had severed 70 lest link with civilizatic-