Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-06-07
BradsbaW's DaUebter.

that ever occurred in the southwest
ern country between men of the white
race. Lasting over a period of eight
years, forty-nine lives were sacrificed
III the murderOuS and unnatural strife.
Of the two prominent families en-
gagged, one was cut off, stem and
branch, while Of the other a single rep
resentative survives, and is paying
her portion of the penalty in felon's
cell.
The trouble all came about over
band of sheep. Rick Bradshaw and
Jesse Buttons had occupied adjoining
farms on Pine Ridge for more than
quarter of a century. Kicks land lay
to the north of the ridge, facing Pres
colt, while Jesse's lay ON the south
side overlooking the sandy plains of
the HaSsayampa and the great deserts
beyond. The backbone of the ridge
formed the dividing line by mutual
agreement. A clear spring dubbed
from the rocks d trifie over the north
side of the ridge on Bradshaw'S prop
erty. but this advantage was met by
a short tunnel which coaXed an equal
share of the water to the south side
The Bradshaws and the Buttons fam
lily had emigrated to Arizona from the
CarolinaS in the early days following
the gold excitement in the Weaver dis
trict. But they were not diggerS of
gold. They preferred less laborious
methods of accommodating the yellow
metal. SO they took up adjoining
claims On Pine Ridge and began dry
ranching." Pine Ridge occupied an
elevated position of some 1000 feet in
the western end of Mogollon, after
wards named the Bradshaw noun
tains. 1t was really in the center of
mining operations from geographical
standpoint. The air with it's fragrance
of reSinOuS pine and wild larkSpur,
genial and balmy, reminded the emf
grants Of the childhood home in the
far away Blue Ridge. The land was
good enough. Water and wood were
abundant, and there was fish and
game without end-what more could
Carolinan backwoodsmen wish for?
Their operation in farming were not
conducted on an extensive scale. Each
raised a small crop of hay, a few vege-
tables, and kept several head of cattle,
not to mention the usual poultry. The
products of these small farms carried
into the mining camps proved quite
remunerative. If both men had been
cOntented to jog along in this COM
Portable way much human blood might
faa re
would never have been facts at all
But it was not so foreordained in the
annals of Pine Ridge. Bradshaw grew
ambitious to accumulate worldly
wealth. He began making army con-
| tracts, and from that contracts with
large stOckmen in the adjoining cOun-
ties In one of these operations he
unfortunately carried a customer too
far, and when the collapse came Brad
shaw had nothing substantial to re-
mind him of the transactions save a
small band of sheep which he had
/ managed to secure by attachment.
These sheep were a source of trouble
from the date of their arrival at Pine
Ridge. On several occasions Buttons
demonstrated with Bradshaw against
allowing them the run of both farms.
One afternoon, unable to stand the an
noyance, Buttons walked over to Brad
shaw's house and entered a formal
complaint.
"Howdy, Rick?" was the salution.
"Howdy."
Putty wa'm," suggested Jesse.
putty"
Jesse stood on one foot for mo-
ment, then on the other. Finally he
! essayed to remark:
"Them mutton O. you all as been
ovah slim my pastyah so mo- so as
my cattle won't eat. Reckin' yo' bet
tab keep i'm on yo' own side, Rick"
Look heah, Jess" responded Rick
"them mutton hev cos me moah'n a
bundled dollahs a head, an 1 amt
goin' to keep 'em shet up in no six
by nine pastugh."
"Jes' lowed to give my 'pinion
thet's ALL" resumed Buttons. EFF any
mo- uf 'em get ovah in my truck patch
they is liable tn ketch what them reve
uuS OLIStIS Caught uONA ACdl DIA@h
Run-remember tibet, don't yo', Rick
Amt very good fer sheep"
I'll lick the fls' man tibet teche:
one of them mutton" replied the iratt
Bradshaw, losing his habitual calm
ness.
"Yo air ole hell, amt yo'?" rejoinet
Jess, and the friends parted.
The following afternoon, Bra dShaw'!
nephew Bud came running down to tn
house with the information that some
one was killing the sheep just below
the spring. Bradshaw arose withou
apparent haste, knocked the ashe
from his pipe, and walking into TIT
house took the |"e from it's peg.
''Whar yo' goin', Rickerson?' hi
= wife inquired.
"Huntin'," was the brief reply
She asked no more. Rickerson wa
not in the habit Of going into detail!
regarding his personal movements
When little Bud and Bradshaw
reached the spring Buttons eldest sol
was engaged in removing the pelt from
a recently slaughtered wether
"Bettah drap thet" was the quie
greeting.
rifle held in such manner that Their,