Omaha daily bee., 1892-04-24
END OF THE TRAMP
Captive oattlemen Finally Conducted in
Safety to the Railroad.
THREATENED TO DITCH THE TRAIN
Major Egbert Informed Of Plot to Cause
Further Trouble.
LOCATED IN THE PLATTE CANYON
To Avoid Any Possible Disaster They Will
Travel by Day.
TOUGH EXPERIENCE OF THE PRISONERS
They Assert That Preparations Had Been
Completed for a Dash at the Line
of Rustlers When the
Troops Arrived.
LOCATED IN THE PLATTE CANYON
To Avoid Any Possible Disaster They Will
Travel by Day.
TOUGH EXPERIENCE OF THE PRISONER

gram TO TIE BEE This afternoon column
OF cavalry filed down the mill leading to the
old military bridge at old Fort Fettermnn.
Troop c headed the procession, troop
brought up the rear, while troop H rooe on
either flank Of the captured cattlemen, who
occupied the center OF the cRvalcade. Three
wagons and surgeons ambulance followed.
For the first time since the abandonment OF
this historical military outpost the surround
ing hills rang with the notes Of military
buCles Us the troopers unsaddled their jaded
animals and made camp on the banks of the
Platte.
Major Fetchet who was in charge OF the
expedition, had tapped the Buffalo wire at
Brown Springs last night and arran Eed with
Major Egbert, who is in charge of the de-
taohment from Fort Russell, TO deliver his
prisoners at this point and while the bulk Of
his command busted themselves with camp
matters the balance stood guard to complete
the work for which they had come-the de-
livery Of the captives. About the same time
Major Fetchet and party crossed the Platte
ut Fort Fetterman Major Egbert left Douglas
on special train with detail Of about fifty
men and few representatives Of the press
and prominent citizens. Half the population
here asked for transportation which being
denied, many TOOK carriages and saddle
horses and set out for the scene Of the trans
fer OF the captiveS.
Everything in Good Order.
On arriving at Fort Fetterman the pris-
oners closely guarded were escorted TO the
train, where euch man unsaddled the
animal ne was riuing and placed the same,
together with blankets and war sacks, III
the luggage car. While this was il pro
gress mounted troopers guarded both SIDES
OF the train under the direction of Major
Wocott, the leader OF the cattlemen's
expedition. The captives were then drawn
up in line, and each man answered 10 his
name ne was assigned TO cars in waiting.
The list tailed to mRn-forty-fve in all
for whom Major Egbert thersupon signsd
receipt. The prisoners all seemed in the
best Of spirits, laughing and joking with
friends and acqualntances in the crowd Of
sight seers and with each other. Many OF
them were old friends of most OF the
officers OF the Seventeen, who were 10
escort them south and receive q warm
greeting al their hands. AL looked hale
and hearty, but decidedly weatherworn,
the storms OF the past few days having
blistered their faces almost beyond recogui-
tion.
AS Lne LrHln SJarleu LOT DOuElaS Tue party
of cowboys who had witnessed the proceed
ings pulled their Six shooters and fired
volley into the air.
That's familiar opera boys, isn't t?r
cried Major Wocott. We've heard lots of
that sort of music during The past two
weeks"
Their Suierings in the Blizzard.
His companions laughed and greeted the
volley and The majors response with cheers.
All unite in condemning the blizzard, which
RACED from their departure from Mckinney
until their arrival at Antelope Springs.
Muior Fechel says he has been IL The saddle
thirty years and it was the worst he ever
saw, while the cattlemen all declare it was
the worst trip OF their lives
Two hundred people met the train nj Doug
las, many of them ladies. Most OF the cap
tives are well known here, and their friends
CROWDED about the cars exchanging greet
ings. Many, however insisted that all were
murderers, and talked Of rotten eggs ana the
like, but there was no demonstration.
The train will remain here tonight guurd-
ing the prisoners IN the cars.
May Try to Wreck the Train.
Major Egbert has received information
that an attempt will be made TO wreck the
train enroute, The road passes through the
Platte canyon about thirty miles below here
and for SIX or eight miles the railway follows
the bank of the river, while precipices 500
feet in height literally overhang the track in
many places
1t is claimed thut four men left here yester
day with the avowed purpose OF loosening
| the rails and throwing the csptiyes Uncle
| Sans army and ali into the river
fNlu hfc ka
ably is, yet Major Egbert says he prefers to
trave! by daylight, hence he will remain
here tonight Howard Roles, deputy sheriff
of johnson county Is with the party ana will
accompany them to Cheyenne. The pris-
oners talk freely of their exciting experiences
in The past two weeks.
They claim they carried no poison as was
alleged and that the giant powder found iu
their wagon was picked up at Tisdglls
ranch aud placed among their effects without
their knowledge. They say that Angus and
| his party never called upon them TO sur
renoer during the entlre time they were be-
| sleged and that the so-called rusulers dis
played black flags on their entrenchmeuts
! and meant 10 give them no Quarter. They
assert that they could have held out for all
time against the citizens had they been pro
| vldeu With food for themselves and animals
| Intended to Make Dash.
They had intended TO make dash through
the besiegers lines within twenty -four hours
had they not surrendered 10 the military
Despite ali reports TO the contrary, only two
OF their party were wounded during the en-
tire campaign. One d man mounted on q
broneho with catriege in his rife and when
the animal bueked the rife went OF and the
bullet shattered his left leg. He died in the
hospital after the amputation Of the wounded
member. The other msp was crawling ont
of the door of the fort when b pistol fell oui
of his belt and the bullet therefrom plowed
through hls side. He will recover.
The cRttlemen estimate that SO, 600 shots
were tired al them during their campaign.
Major Frechet says he assisted in tie cap