Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1896-06-24
THE MAN WITH a HOE.
"Kifl Him, but Tomorrow There WIZ
Be Two of Them.

the spirit of the times was the S0,uUO
banquet at Dallas Texas, at which 500
of the cattle barons were entertained.
Everything was Of the best, says the
Butte Miner. The champagne was from
the yine-ciad hills of France, the fruit
from the valleys of California. The
cattle owners lauded and complimented
each other, GRATED about their successes
ana sneered at the Legislature aud the
National Land Commission. Especial
ly did the newspapers, which had criti-
cised their highhanded usurpation of
the lands needed for agriculture, come
In for criticism, and at last the only
newspaper man present was called on
for speech in reply. A Governor of
the Lone Star State, who had once said
that the State did not want immigra-
ton was toastma ster and he prefaced
his Introduction Of the journalist with
some sighting remarks regarding the
press. Angry at the light In which he
had been placed the newspaper man
replied:
Gentlemen: You may sneer at the
settler whom you call 'Nestor' and
may consider yourselves safe from all
injury at his hands, but let me tell you,
you are not. A man with a hoe has
poked his head over your barbed wire
fences. You may kill him, but to-mor-
row there will be two of them, and
next day four or eight. Land that will
produce $50 worth of wheat cannot be
kept for the pasthrage of So COW. In
n few years the man with a hoe will
have you on the run"
The cattlemen laughed and consid-
cred 1t fair hit, but they did not think
the speaker meaut II or that he told the
truth. But he did, and his prophecy
came true. No other such banquet was
ever held. The man with hoe" car
ried pair of nippers in his pocket and
with them he Gu the strands of fence
with which the great cattle ranges
were inclosed. The cowboys could Tot
prevent him, and the laws could not
keep him out. A over the great ranges
OF the far West, where, sentry, like, the
herders rode through long days and
nights, are now farms, homes and VIII
lagos.
One of the stor es regarding the reck-
less extravaganza of the cattle owners
Is that told by Col. John Britain, a
Texas capitalist and otliceholder In the
old days. He had come up the trail
to Abilene, Kan, and was gazing on the
wonders of typical cattle town, where
the cowboy was getting rid of his years.
earnings in a single night and having
what he designated as q royal time.
Two cattlemen had returned from New
York, where they had been living off the
fat of the land and loading themselves
down with bric-a brac and good whisky.
"Jim," said John, that's mighty fine
watch you have there"
YES" replied the other. 81 got the
ticker at one of the biggest stores in
New York. 1t cdst me lot of money"
1--WE got finer one" said John calm
ly pulling an inlhid chronometer from
his pocket.
81 guess not. What did 1t COST"
paid 1926 for her, spot cash. What
did yours cost?"
Cost me 1915, said the other grace
fully, as he put the timepiece back in
his pocket.
His friend was much chagrinel MT
being beaten a his own particular
game OF display, and stood holding the
now despised watch in his hand, looking
1t over and thinking. Bracing up, he
finally drawledI well, there amt
much difference between 'em. I'll bet
you a dozen steers that l can throw
mine further than you can yours"
Everybody laughed ana looked at
Jim. He took lr the situation and ie-
Piled "I'll just 40 you one on that"
They went into the street, followed
by the crowd, and, taking aim down
the street, sent the handsome time
pieces spinning, to be smashed into
worthlessness OH the road. Jim won
and went back to the Alamo saloon and
set up the drinks. "A few months af-
ter" said Britain Il saw them again in !
Abilene. They were so poor that each
wore a winding Waterbury ard
hung on to 1t with both hands tor fear
1t might fall on the floor"