, 1898-08-09

tfIa.) llmeS-unlOn n CltlZen oh
tains the following interview with
Captain George Stanton of Troop c
If the Torrey cavalry, and will prove
interesting to Wyoming people:
In camp with the Second United
States cavalry at Panama are many
types of the true westerner, and it
would be difficult to find a more hardy
or upright set of men. All Of the troop
eIs in the regiment ONE from west of
interesting stories of life in the west
that are new TO those who have re-
sided in other sections of the country.
Captain George r. Stanton, com
mander of troop C. is a fair specimen
of the perfect westerner. He went to
Wyoming with his parents when but
6 years of age and has been a resident
of that state since. with the exception
of three years spent with Buffalo Bills
Wild West show. Captain Stanton,
when he made the fact known that he
intended to raise a company of rough
riders to join Colonel Torrey, was be-
siesed with applications. and over 200
that they be enlisted. One of them rode
1875 miles on horseback in three days
in order to join the company. Another
rode his horse 100 miles, sold the ami,
NAL, and walked sixty miles more to
get to Laramie to become a member,
while five others rode eighty-ive miles
men in his company are persona!
friends, and the majority of them were
schoolmates.
Captain Stanton was seen by a
Tlmes-Union and Citizen reporter, and
asked to say something about the life
of a westerner for publication. A west.
care a great deal about newspaper no.
toriety. and such was found to be the
case here. but after a little urging 1t
was agreed that his name was not to
be made-too prominent, and he started.
1T is the general impression" he
said, that a westerner is a very bold.
bad man, and right here, at the be,
ginning, | want to correct this. There
are, of course, some very tough char
acters in the west. The same thing il
the case elsewhere. For instance look
at your penitentlaries and convict
camps. The only difference is that we
get rid of them for good and all, while
in the east they are only sent up for a
term Of years. and then freed to com.
nit some crime again. All westerners
are supposed to be good riders and men
who can handle the rope easily. Such
is not the case. We have merchants
who do not ride well, and who car
never learn to throw a rope. Such is
the case also with a great many per-
sons who are not merchants. It. is a
gift and years of practice will not al
ways make it perfect. l know men
who cannot rope a COW until she has
been run down and is tired out.
"A cowboy has a hard life, but it is
one that he enjoys thoroughly. What
we call a top hand that is, a man
who has had from five to ten years of
experience, is paid $54 a month and all
that he needs to eat and wear. A ten
derfoot or greene gets $25 the first
year and is then raised according to his
merits. The business of these men is
to brand cattle, herd them, keep them
within the bounds of their ranch, and
do any other work that is necessary
among them. In May, the work of
known it to last until November. The
men first get their packs ready. and
start out for a whole summer of hard
work. Not a woman is seen durins
this time, unless we happen to run
across a house in our wanderings. The
cattle are driven to market, the near
est sometimes being 100 miles, where
they are sold or shipped away. Then
the calves have to be branded and 9TH
er work done. A cowboy always car
ries his home with him, and his outfit
consists of two horses. One he rides,
while the other carries his home, which
is a %tarpauln, three blankets, two
quilts and as much food as he NAV
think necessary. In addition to this
he has a quirt. spurs. rope. saddle and
Schaps. \ cowboy has to have a rope.
It is as necessary to him as food is to
some people. Whenever night comes
on he is ready to make his bed and
sleep"
How about your bucking horses,
and the manner of treating them?"
was asked.
We'll. In our country we have what
are called outlaws That is. a horse
that cannot be ridden except by a very
fire rider. These animals have in lots
CT cases killed not a few men who have
attempted to ride them. They are wild
and it is a hard matter to tame them.
When l went to join Buffalo Bills
show at the worlds fair. l took two
cars loaded with horses and twenty
seven e Five could ride the worst
cases, but they were very good riders.
and men who were moi afraid Of any,
thing that wore hais At this time
was riding Jumbo and Jubilee two
Of the greatest bucking horses that the
world has ever produced.