Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-06-19
LETTER FROM WYOMING.
FORT RUSSELL, Wyo.. June @. 1895.

rohT nusSELL, WfO., June D, 1870.
Seeing my other letter in print it en-
courages me to try again. At present
this part of the country is being blessed
with abundance of rain; all the rain
falls during the months of May and
June, it being dry the rest of the year
there being no cultiv alton. Here the
only ones the rain helps are a few old
antediluvian looking ranchers who, to
gether with coyotes and various other
varmints, infest the Wyoming plains.
Owing to inclement weather decoration
services had to be omitted throughout
this part of the West, very much to the
regret of all; for if any of our dead
deserve such honors it is those who
found their last resting place on the
bleak plains. Many who lay down their
lives in the defense and service of their
country, fighting the hostile Indians
for the protection of the few white set
tiers then occupying this part of the
West, lie buried here. One curiosity
here is an old uncared for cemetery
lying near the by path leading to
Cheyenne, in which the early horse
thief and other desperate characters
were inferred; most all with their boots
on. Very often boys start from town
a little intoxicated, the result Of bad
associates, and come in contact of this
uneaven earth, and the next morning
pick themselves out of an open grave.
The cemeteries are also in%terspersed
with quite a number of the old veterans
of the late war. Our companies arc
also represented with a few old veter-
ans who remained with the army since
the war, who, like the vets of civil life,
love to relate their many narrow es-
capes from the jaws of death. 1t is 30
interesting to listen to the old warriors
relate stories such as cause the kids
hair to stand up like the quilts on the
porcupine, after which they will crawl
into their cozy little touches and dream
of wars and rumors of wars, and that
they too have won great honors by gal
liant deeds, such as told them by their
fathers. We are sorry to hear of the
deaths of so many old settlers in that
part, but hope they are taking up their
abode in a land where they will no
more have to face the deadly missiles
hurled from the belching cannon of
the enemy. We had the pleasure of wit
messing a bicycle contest, participated
in by quite a number of both sexes, for
a gold watch, and the championship of
Wyoming. One very fieshy young lady
came in contact with the barb wire
fence and came out minus one half of
her bloomers and four pounds of meat.
One wearing boomers should not ex-
pect sympathy, for they are the most
disgusting apparel in which a wo-
man was ever attired. The blue boys
are now engaged in target practice and
discussing the much coveted transfer
to Columbus, Ohio, which will take
place in a few months, when we will
once more be permitted to see civiliza'
ton and mingle with those VI love, 80
long unseen. Oh, how it will gladden.
our hearts to once more see our native
land, and together with the few other
surviving old veterans mingle our old
gray heads and walk the lovely streets
of the unforgotten towns of Mlburn,
Duck, Butcher and Cherry Grove, and
see the rising generation so different
from our own. We very much enjoy
the letters from Cherry Grove; we are
very much disappointed to receive the
paper without them.
j. W., Sergt. Co. B.