The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1894-12-20

through the mountain chain at the
west. Every year since its establish.
ment had cavalry column marched
away from Fort Ransom 70 straighten
out matters between the Sioux and the
settlers who were venturing too close
TO the reservation. The first year or
two the trail led along the west bank,
hugg:ng the stream, but, as IL was
found that this was the longer, hotter.
and dusticr way, n new route was de-
cided on, cutting across the big bend
and winding along over the foothills
of the range, from which several
streams of clear, cool water came pour
ing forth, speedily TO become Inurky
end turbid on reaching the broad plain
below. The first days march lay al
most due east from Ransom and par
allel with the Mini Ska, the next vccred
around toward tho northeast and
camp was always made NJ Bear Fork
Not until the fourth camp at Painted
Lodec did the trail and the stream
again come together, and from that
point down TO the disputed territory.
the pet raiding-ground of the restless
young men," the two were mover far
apart. West of Painted Lodge the
Sioux did not often venture. though
the broad bottom-land within this cl-
bow of the Ska was fine grazing
ground.
The railway, coming up from the
southeast and over high plateau
dropped down TO the valley by means
of long. winding rnvine scooped out
for it by the Antelope, little tributary
that joined the Mini Ska just at the
elbow, and here, at the point where
the rail and the river after running
parallel for eighty miles suddenly quit
company, the line shooting eastward
the stream northeast-hcrc stood
Alkali station. Cattlcmen had built a
low bridge over the stream ut this point
with the intention Of making Alllali
the shipping station for their bcevcs.
and from this place sandy road ran
down the left bank To Painted Lod~C
Butte and away TO the agencies. Once
upon Il time mails were carried that
way, ana u stage ran twice a week be-
tween Alliali and the reservation. but
when rival railway sent line across
the Missouri and tapped the lands of
the Dallotas far up to the northeast
the agency freight, mail. and passcn-
GERS were sent around that way. and
Alllali became n deserted village.
There stood the old starchousc, thn
cattle chutcs. and the rickcty depot
but no trains stopped there now cy-
cept on signal, and the telegraph
instrument and operator had boon
moved to Mindcn, some twenty-five
miles farther west. Here, too. was
bridge over the Mini Ska and cattle
shipping point. Here the ranchmcu
who did not care to take the extra
twcnty-ivc-milc gallop TO Buttcvillr
had all their mail addressed. and
Mindcn speedily assumed the mild
and modest Importance which All;ali
had lost,
And it was at Minden, said Mai
Rhctt that the paymaster was robbed
that morning soon after dawn. and
robbed by men in cavalry overcoatS.
Morgan listened moment. simply
stunned.
When did the news come in, sir?'
asked he of the major.
Ten minutes ago, as soon rs they
could repair the wires which were cut
The sheriff is on his way out here
now"
where is the paymaster?"
They're coming up on freight
from Minden this afternoon, he and
his clerk"
But don't understand" said
Morgan; how on earth did he get TO
Mindcn? Why did he come so far west?
The escort was to meet him ut Alkali,
so ] was told"
That's just what nobody under
stands, and what he'll explain later, |
presume"
An orderly hastily came from the di-
rcction Of the office, and, halting sa-
lutcd the post commander.
THE sergeant major says they were
assigned TO { Company, sir, for ra-
tions.
There was an awkward silence mo-
mcnt. Then the commander wheeled
on Morgan
You've known those couricrs some
time, haven't YOU. Mr. Morgan? What
is their rcputation?'
Our men, sir? schultz and Schramm,
do you mean? Why, major. the ser
gcant is ono of our veterans, n man we
all trust. Schramm is not year with
MS yet, but he's MS good MS they make
en-, think, in Germany. Surely they
are not suspected? They came in with
orders and dispatches"
Every true, but they passed within
sight OF Nlindcn il they came back by
thertrail, and through it il they fol-
lowed the stage road. They may have
seen or heard something. AZ al
events, wish to question them, was
tho majors answer what time did /
thpv rcnCh tho most Mr. Adiutant?"