The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-25
SPRAGUE'S BUFFALO HUNT.
RHODE ISLANDS FAMOUS GOVERN
oR'S SHOOTING IN KANSAS.

Pacific Railroad at Wallace, Kan" said an old
time railroador, land that was In the days when
buffaloes were still roaming over tho prairies in
vast horde. William Spraguc was then Governor
Of Rhode Island, and at the height of his popu-
larity and influence in political, financial. and
social affairs. While on u trip across tho CONT
ncnt by tho novel new railroad route, In COM
pnny with j. p. Morgan of Wall street, ho
stopped Off at Wallace, by invitation Of Col.
Moalc. who was in ommand of tho United
States military post then Mt that point, to enjoy
a buffalo hunt-and that hunt came noar being
tho end Of Spragie's career, right then and there.
II don't suppose there was ever n hunting
party on the continent that presented so formi-
dable an array as this one did. Gov. Spraguc,
escorted by Col. Moale, led tho hunt. His friend
Morgan, accompanied by an officer of tho post,
rode next, followed by n few invited guests.
myself among the number. Behind us rodo n
half dozen or more officers and attaches OF tho
post, the rear being brought up by n guard of
fifteen soldiers, in charge OF the commissariRt,
who were to act as roundcrs-up of bufralocs
for the benefit OF the hunters, and to bear the
trophies OF the chase back home.
"Word had come In before wc started that n
large buffalo herd was feeding on the plains If
teen miles northwest of Wallace, and the hunt
was led in that direction We had gone but q
few miles when small struggling lunches of buf-
falo began to give indications that the inforina-
ton as to the big herd was correct. We paid no
attention to these, reserving the days sport for
the meeting with the main herd. This we came
in sight of after a two hours ride. 1t was, in
deed, n vast herd. AS far rs the eye could reach
over tho plain the feeding buffaloes spread away
in n black, undulating mass. Like all buffalo
herds, 1t was broken up In punches Of twenty or
more, each bunch in charge of three or four
young bulls, while the inc liable o~utposts of de-
throned old bulls kept Their enforced watch and
guard, cropping the grass in impotent loncli-
ness. Owing to the 'spotty' nature of the wild
pasturago at this particular point the lunches
Of buffalo were more detached than was usual
with a feeding herd, a fact that was favorable
for the greater success OF the hunt.
THE country was not such as would have
been selected for the days sport II there had
been any choice in the matter. 1t was rolling
and diversified by the dry beds of streams that
had once irrigated the plain. but which were
now ugly ravincs and abrupt gullies. 1t needed
but a glance &c note that n race with a buffalo
over that treacherous course had its dangers as
well rs those that might attend the furious
charge of a wounded bull. The hearing and scent
OF a buffalo were very keen. and il a single bunch
in n herd of 5000 was disturbed, its movement
would stampede the entire herd. They had to be
approached against the wind. and no matter
how slight or imperceptihle the breeze might he.
the hunter could never mistake its direction. for
b~ufaloes always feed with their heads to tho
wind. II the wind was blowing hard he could
approach to within fifty yards of n herd before
his presence was discovered.
"On this occasion. large party as We were. wc
drew up to within 200 yards Of this herd undis-
a few minutes on the vast collection Of shaggy
monsters, and then formed n plan of attack.
There were, two large lunches Of buffaloes on
the left of the main herd. and somewhat isolated
from It.. Col. Moale selected these two to be at
tackled by Coy. Spraguc and himself and the
who was the brokers' personal escort, aided by
the other officers and attaches OF the post. The
rest of us were to wait until this party had made
their assault. and were then to join in the gem
cral chase MS circumstances and the situation
might dictate.
THE Governor and Col. Moalc put spurs to
their horses, sped like the wind across the inter
vcning space. and were fairly among the bufra-
Toes before the animals were aware of danger.
We watched the result from our position. Gov.
Sprague had never hunted ~buFalocs before. but
he had been thoroughly, coached by Col. Moale.
He urged his horse unhcsitatingly into one OF
the punches and selected an enormous bull for
his first trial OF nerve and skill. He sent a pis-
toll ball behind the bulls foreshouldcr The ami
nal turned and charged viciously upon his enc
my: The Governor dexterously avoided the
rush OF the ponderous brute. and by a quick and
skiiful dctour drew up close TO the angry bull
ana dropPed him in his tracks at the second
The b~uhalocs were flying over tho plain like
the swell OF u gigantic wave, tho ground CULVER
ing beneath their mighty tread as with the
trcmor OF an earthquake. There was no time 10
lpSt. WV. SIIhHut sIuITel IL NURSE On 10 llS
full speed. and was soon side. by side with an
other immense bull, Just rs he raised his arm
dogs hole. tumhled forward and threw his rider
over his head: The Governor fell almost in front
Ct e the ilyin NJ bull; The 9nimal stopped in his
aided. there could be no escape for the Governor
from the animals deadly thrust. We were too
dashed at brcak-ncck speed toward the spot.
Col. Moalc fortunately had kept close to the
rear Of his imperIlled guest, and from hima alone
could the needed assistance come. He sank tho
spurs deep into his horse. II the animal had
have been impalod and torn asunder before our
very eyes. The Colonels horse was true. but
when he dashed Tith his rider upon the angry
treat the butfal0's horns were almost touching
the helpless hunters breast. Before Col. Moalo
and ready TO mount again for the chase, his
horse having been rccnptured by the cavalry
flying herd again before w reached the spot
where ho had so narrowly escaped death;
sprague's friend, Morgan. and Capt. Irwin had
struck the. second bunch of buifalocs, and from
all indications were having a lively run; The
the lunches OF buffalocs. when tho hunt started,
! had noticed a magnificent spike bull, and that
bunch was still within reaching distance. at
bag that spike, ] hadn't gone far before / dis
heart set also on securing the same animal. AT
once u wild race began between us to win tho
prize; we sped over the rough and uncertain
but Clark got the lead. His horse placed him
alongside the coveted spike. Clark raised his
pistol to fire. when his horse threw his head
high IN the air and stopped so, short that his
rider was thrown forward on his mock. Clark
held on like grim death, and as he struggled TO
keep from falling 10 tho ground the pistol was
discharged. The horse fell back on his Launches,
and Clark tumblcd off and rolled on the prairie.
The horse jumped to his feet and began turn;
Ing round and round in a circle. with his head
near the ground cooked comically To one side.
81 drew rein, OF course. TO see IL the unfortu-
nate sutlcr was hurt. Iio wasn't, but he no
sooner, got to his feet when ping! ping! ping!
came the whizZ of bullets. so close to our cars
that we could almost feel the wind they raised.
We looked in the direction those startling mes.
scngcrs came from, and there another novel
sight met our gaze. The Governors friend Nor.
gan had been endorsed by IA bull he had at
tackled, and the bull was, chasing him around on
the prairie, while the broker was trying TO put an
end to the unpleasant pursuit by turning nj short
intervals and blazing away at the bulls head. lilo
might rs well have fired against "a rock, even IL
every one Of his shots had hit the bull. 1t was
plain. howe :, that none of his shots went
where they were sent. but sailed right toward
Clark and myself. We were IN more danger,
consequently, than either the broker or his bull,
and II both OF the latter hadn't suddenly dis.
appeared in one of tho gullcys there is no telling
what the result would have been to us.