The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-08-10
ARIZONA'S WILD CAMEiS.
Descendants Of Herd That Were
Imported from Africa.

IONA are the descendants of a small
herd originally imported for use in the
state of Nevada, says the San Fran
cisco Chronicle, In the early days of
mining on the Comstock, long before
there were any railroads in the Great
Basin region, it was thought that
the mines, particularly in packing
across the surrounding deserts, and
twelve "ships of the desert" were ac-
cordingly purchased and brought to
Virginia City. They were wanted for
use in packing salt from the Hot
Springs salt marsh to the Comstock re-
duction works. This salt deposit lies
far out in desert region, and to reach
1t many waterless stretches of sand and
al1ali lad to be traversed.
The camels were able to cross all the
deserts in perfect comfort, carrying
heavy loads of salt and finding means
of subsistence in the pricl1ly and bitter
plants and shrubs everywhere to be
found in abundance. In short, the
animals did as good work here in our
deserts as they are able to do in any
country in the world. but they were
IOO ,lOWs 4hS SuhACl may W 1eASS
enough for an Arab, but he is too slow
for an American.
When the occupation of the camels
as packers of salt was gone they were
sold to some Mexicans, who used them
for time in packing wood down out of
the mountains The Mexicans took
them up rocky trails into the rugged
hills and used them the same as they
use a mule-up mercifully. They soon
killed three of the wretched beasts and
would have killed the remainder had
not q Frenchman, who owned a big
ranch on the Carson river, below Day
ton, taken pity on the poor, abused
creatures and bought the whole OF
them This Frcnchman had been in
Algeria with the French colony, where
he had developed an affections for the
camel-probably owed the animal
debt Of gratitude for having saved his
life on some occasion. He had no use
for the beasts, therefore turned them
out to roam the desert plains at will.
The animals, left to shift for them
selves, soon waxed fat, and increased
and multiplied. In few years from
nine the herd had increased to thirty
six, old and young. The Frenchman
then sold the whole lot to be taken
down to Arizona to be used in packing
ore down off big mountain range. 1t
was said there was good smooth trail,
but the animals found all the rocks and
soon became footsore and useless, when
all were turned adrift to shift for them
selves. They have regained the in
ct:r % ho N,rrinol wild tot IF
their species and are very wary and
swift They fly into waterless wastes
| impenetrable to man when approached
Some of the old animals, however, &C.
casionally appear in the vicinity of the
settleme nts. OF late it is reported that
| the cattlemen have been shooting them
for some reaso n, perhaps because they
frighten and stampede their horses.
No one knows how many camels are
now running at large in the wilds of
the ella country, but there must be
great number. One is occasionally
caught. Four years ago one was cap
tured near to Gila Bend that measured
over nine feet in height 1t appeared
| to be stray from one of the herds in
that region.
With the herd of camels when it was
| owned by the Frenchman on the Car
son river was a huge old bull camel
| known as "Old Keenan," because of his
fighting procllvities He was giant,
and the patriarch Of the herd. He had
hair on parts of his body that was a
foot or eighteen inches in Length. The
| animals ranged down the valley Of the
| Carson nearly to old Fort Churchill. At
Sam Buckland's ranch, mile above
| the fort, several Mexican vaqueros
| were employed, These men had seen
| the big camel, and looked with enFious
eyes upon the long, sillsen hair that
hung from the buge frame. They
thought this hair might be spun into
beautiful riatas, bride reins and orna-
ments for brides.
One fine Sunday morning in spring
two OF the Mexieans-Antonio and &C.
donio equipped themselves with
lasso and pair of sheep shears and set
out to catch and shear Old Heenan. &C.
donio found the big animal easy of ap-
proach. The old fellow stood stock
still He was dreamily chewing his
cud with half-closed eyes. The lasso
swished through the air, and in IN o
meat was about the big animals neck.
| Then, as the patriarch felt the rope
tighten about his throat. the fun be-
gan.
Alongside the giant beast the Next
can looked a mere pigmy. When Old
Heenan realized that the small two
legged creature w as actually trying to
gather him in his little eyes turned
| nreeu ayith rage. Kissing like a red
hot locomotive he charged Gedonio:
The little Mexican held to the rope for
time. hoping to choke the camel
down, but found the animal apparent
ly able to subsist as long without
wind" as without water. Besides,
Heenan made for him so rapidly that
he could get no pull on the old fellow.
At last Gedonio was so hard pressed
that he was obliged to drop the lasso
and take to his heels
by this lime Old Heenan was wild
with rage The Mexican tViod TO dodge
! the irate beast among the punches of
CROSSWORD, but these being only two
or three feet high, afforded poor cover.
lie then struck for the river, intending
70 climb one of the cottonwoods on it's
banks, out Hee4aG was too close upon
his heels. There was 40 time for
climbing. and he was obliged to plunge
into the river. Not being able to swim,
Gedonio was constrained to halt when
the water came up to his chin. Heenan