, 1892-01-07
ALSO HAD An EXPERIENCE.
II Was In the Same section In Which
HIngen Died.

m of one of the reporters his WI
experiences in the same locality fourteen
years ago. On Nov. 2, 1877 three bull
whackers, on their way from a showed in
train to Cheyenne, who knew each other
only as Frank" Till" and Mason"
left Charlie Denison's ON Horse creek
about 9 IN the morning intending
to make the Pole creek ranch two
miles from Hillsdale, (the pres
ent Van Tassell ranch) that day. expecting
of course, to be late reaching the ranch.
At l o'clock in the afternoon they had
reached the top of Horse creek hill
where they met Charley Dian.
DO you think we can make lt2" asked
one.
Il don't know what you can do"
answered Dian half sneeringiy. ''but l
know l could"
He was well mounted and had already
covered the ground that day, SO to him
the task seemed an easy one for the three
men on foot. HIS remark touched a
tender spot and rather nettled two of his
hearers who at once signified their in
tention of going ahead, for "it you could
we can," said they.
WELL" said Mason, II am like a
sheep. have got a head OF my own and
am going back"
Il have a head of my W too. and as
good as any sleeps head retorted one
| of the others, and am going ahead l
never took the back track in m life and
won't now"
This talk occurred at a point only seven
miles from the starting place and about
twenty-three remained yet to be covered.
The seven miles had been up grade
through sand and snow, and it was
thought that much better time could he
made on the divide. The time was bet
ter, for at shutdown they we're only twelve
miles from the ranch, or about four from
where Kingen died. They halted. and
for the first time sat down in the snow to
rest. Twelve miles yet" one exclaimed
''and we are not half way from Horse
creek hill"
Yes" answered the other. solemnly,
1T is twelve good ones. and you will think
so before we get there"
well" said the first. I'VE will take a
good rest now, but we must not under
any circumstances allow ours Ives to sit
down in the snow like thus again"
No" came from the young man,
whose thoughts seemed far away, that's
so, we will not stop to rest any more, be-
cause if we do we might go to sleep and
well you know we might never wake up
again"
There was several inches OF snow and
during the day it had thawed m
Neither OF the travellers had on over shoes
but were otherwise warmly enough clad.
How the back trial which could be traced
a long distance over the rolling hills, the
clear setting sun and the general appear
ance OF the sky looked on that evening
will never be forgotten, but what occurred
between that hour and midnight is Dot so
clear. Very soon after dark the wind
began to blow slightly and drift the tracks
of Dams horse full of snow. The
tracks were hard to follow at times and
the fear that they would be completely
obliterated and hat clouds and flying
snow would eclipse the dancing northern
lights, and leave the men without aGy-
thing to guide them. for awhile stimu-
lated their energies.
There was no blizzard but the two grew
less and less anxious for their own safety.
About all they cared about was rest; the
good resolutions were broken and time
and again they lay down in the snow close
TO each other and slept.
Till. who had taken the lead all along.
now felt that there was no need of hurry
ing. He was quite comfortable, but
Frank complained of cold feet. which
would not allow him to sleep long. At last
the bark of a dog was heard and never
was the sound more welcome.
1--WE can't be very far from the ranch
now" said Frank to his sleepy and
Indifferent companion. Alter that a
number of ''cat maps" which had become
more and more frequent, we're taken.
AT last, however, the camp of Hecht's
bull outfit near the ranch was reached
at midnight or later. The last dying
embers of the camp fire were rekindled
and, after warming up inquiries were made
for the mess wagon. Queer your
feet didn't get cold" said Frank address
ing his companion. "for one OF my toes
is frozen. l believe"
Mine are as warm as can be-" was the
response, "but my boots. seem too small
for me-"
Later it was discovered hat Franks
toes were slightly frosted, while the
other fellows were frozen solid. Before
daybreak he was seized with cramps and
there, in an old freight wagon, passed
some painful hours previous to being
taken to Hillsdale. Arrived in Cheyenne
there we're SIX weeks of pain which grew