Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-04-11
Gbe yronton aleaoing Club.
The Butterfly.

| In the summer of 1874 my father
being called east by his business affairs
sent for me to take his place ON Ou
cattle ranch on the western plains.
went west in August that l might be
come thoroughly acquainted with hi
| plans and the work required of me
l had already spent several vacations
on the ranch and it was not a very diff
ilo1lt matter for me to superlutend the
management of the ranch in fathers
absence.
In September we rode over to the
| nearest railway station, twenty miles
away, exchanged good-byes; and rode
away with only the horses and my
thoughts for companions. making
many plans for the idle hours of win.
| ter.
The boys and l became fast friends
Many and bright were the stories told
by our roaring campfires while out on
the fall roundup.
After we had settled down for the
weather. l decided to put into opera
zion one of the plans of which l have
already spoken. Being something OF
| a sailor, l was determined to turn my
knowledge to account. Ice boats with
sails are nothing unusual, but as there
we're no lakes, these boats, during the
| dry autumn and winter were not to be
thought of. A sailing wagon was the
thing. A light wagon was constructed
of ash, and white-pine was used for
| the jib-boom, main and mizzen-masts;
the front of the wagon being pointed
like the bowsprit of ship. The
wheels were the lightest obtainable at
the nearest town, and hut three were
used, one in front and two at the rear
end. Running lengthwise in the wag-
on-bed was stout piece of timber
which answered the purpose of keel
in SO far as the masts were attached to
it. The little wagon, when complete,
was exceedingly firm and we'll built,
IN fact, it was stanch, landworthy
little bark. We then rigged her up
lugger-wise, and added top-gallant-
sail; and a fairer little schooner never
sailed the western prairies, nor a prou-
der master walked her deck. We
named her The Butterfly, and there
seemed no reason why she should not
prove success; for the resistance of
earth to her wheels was not so great
as would have been the resistance of
water to a vessel carrying as much
sail. The crew consisted of the cap
tain and one seaman. The boys quick
ly learned to reef sails and tack with
the rapidity of practiced secmen. and
We soon had her running in fine order.
For a few weeks we sailed about the
ranch within a few miles of the shack.
After using the Butterfly for about a
month. We ventured a trip to town.
People rushed out of shops and resi-
dences gazing after us In open-mouthed
as we danced down the |
broad main street before stiff breeze. |
Horses snorted ard tugged at their hal |
ters, dogs tucked their tails and sour
ried off around the corners. a mob of
speed was such that they were soon
left behind, where they talked over
the strange apparition in loud and ex-
cited voices.
After this trip we were notified by
the town authorities that our visits
we're undesirable. owing to the vast
number of runaways we had caused and
BUR dangerous speed. Therefore, they
most politely requested US to tie up
ours animated wagon at the town linn
is. when we came in trading.
This we did thereafter to the entire
of all concerned.
When winter came and the prairies
were covered with snow. we put our
wagon on runners, took off the jib and
sails and even then our
speed was something marvellous.
l had made the acquaintance of a
Toung lady in the railroad town which
have mentioned as being twenty miles
Instant. One of the boys had sweet
leart in this same town of Dugont, and
We thought the girls would enjoy sail
'ver the snow. We would be unable
o leave the ranch till noon. when We
would sail over, get the girls, take them
or a long ride, and get them home in
ime for supper, after which we would
eturn to the ranch by moonlight. We
rot the girls. taking with US another
oung lady who was visiting my friend;
nd the five of US made lively crowd,
can assure you.
The third young lady was an eastern
.irl who knew nothing about ranch
ife, and she evinced such an iLtere t
O the subject that we suggested that
hey go out to the ranch, have supper
here, and return after moonrise. /
hey agreed and we hose into port
S we expressed it-at eight bells.
he cook said afterward that he put
he big pot into the little one and threw
he spoon out the window. which was