Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-02-17
From The West.

22d dawned, bright and clear, as many
mornings do in this country, and
thought as l took my way about my
morning duties, what glorious eli
NATE
After finishing my work l suggested
to my friend that we mount our horses
and go few miles north of US to looB
after some of the cattle that had strayeG
from the herd. The range cattle oi
this part have not been fed any this
wiRer, and are still looking as we'll a;
they do where fhey are compelled tc
feed from the first of October till
Spring. As We advanced northward
We found plenty of snow, the drifts be-
ing four or five feet deep and it wa:
with difficulty in some places that our
horses could wade through. However,
We made very good time and about
noon We came to a fine ranch where
We were cordially invited to partake Ol
a good. od-fashioned dinner, which
made US feel quite at home. l do not
think l ever saw people more sociable
and kind than they are in this country.
They are made of the right kind OF
material, tell you. After dinner we
chatted with our host awhile and went
out to see his cattle. | tell you he had
fine drove. He told us he had about
five hundred head fat and fine; be told
US he had not fed them any this winter
as there was still plenty of grass for
them on the range. Bidding our friend
a good afternoon, We rode on a few
miles farther. Here we came TO a
large horse ranch where we halted for
a few minutes to look at the horses.
They were all between the ages OF
three and four years-big, fat, well
built fellows from twelve to fifteen
hands high. The owner told US we
could have choice of the bunch for
twelve dollars. Horses are very cheap
here, he says, for it does not cost any
thing to keep them. He then told me
that the coal company here had pur-
chased six hundred head with colts
thrown in. for six dollars a head.
Learning here that our cattle had been
seen short distance from here, we
hastened on and found them.
After a long, tiresome ride we
reached home, cold. tired and hungry
and after we were seated by good fire
and had eaten supper, the words of
''Old Times came into my mind and
thought. there is indeed '.no place like
home"
As passed down the street to-day
noticed little group of queer looking
people walking about the town, beg
glug as l thought. Upon 1nquiring a
little learned they were Cubans and
were selling tickets for lecture they
were going to give for the benefit of
the starving Cubans. God speed them
in the efforts they are making to aid
their fellowmen.
As l was going up the canyon a day
or two ago, on my way to the Beaver
dam to saw ice, I happened to look upon
the side of the mountain, and there on
a pine log lay large catamOunt, sun
ming his catship with the air of king.
When he first discovered my presence
he did not seem afraid. but lay glaring
at me with great green eyes. As is
usually the case. when a fellow sees
any thing to shoot, his gun is always
safely in the rack at home. and as this
was the case with me had to go back
after mine. l hurried back and as
good luck would have it he was still
lying where | had left him. When he
saw what my intentions were he made
a bee line across the table 10 another
canyou. | followed him as fast as pos
sible; as be went down into the other
canyon 1 came in sight of him about
one huAdred yards away. drew down
on him, and at the crack of the rifle he
turned up bis heels to the sun. He
was one of the largest ever seen around
here, and are better known as "bob-
cats" | took him home, took of his
worthy hide; it was dressed and stuffed
by my better half, and is now an orna-
ment in my home.
While / do not wish to enter into an
animated debate with Mrs. Salsberry
on the Indian question, would like to
ask a few questions concerning the
civilization and advancement of the
race in general. As she has been a
steady worker among them for eight
wears, of course will be able to en-
tighten me on the subject, for do not
claim to be so well acquainted with
their family affairs. just as see
them here in the territories and gath
er from reading is what | say. OF
course, where they have had the ad-
vantage of schools and missionaries
they should be more intelligent. The
Indians of California have had white
nao,la aiming them about fortv-fye