The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-28

u
49, known as The
Hole In the
WALL" Il located.
That celebrated rendezvous for the ban
0ttt Of the plains IL as prominent part
Ct the primer geography of Wyoming as IL
roach Central Wyoming via the Chicago 4
Northwestern railway. you leave It's ter
minus at Casper. Then. with q blackboard
or broncho. you can journey for four long
days to the northwest. and arrive at the
eoutherly hills of the Big Horns.
You are still south and east Of the yell
lowstone valley and Its famous park. Nor
can you reach the park from this direction
except on foot. So rough. rugged and pre-
cipitous are the mountain wallsxghich SUR
round the Wonderland that very few
Of the white race have ever attempted the
Journey. which is never thought Of by .
Ehoehone.
where Buffalo run seeks an outlet into
the Little Big Horn river is the opening
to the famous valley. So narrow the
pathway that half dozen good shots
could guard It against company Of cav
airy.
After you enter the valley you ma q
whole township OF fertile bottom land. COW
cred with rich blue-joint grass its surface
watered by the natural Irrigation Of noun.
tain streams. In the summer time II Ii
: most picturesque spot The contrast be-
tween the green pasturage Of the little
valley and the snowy peaks Of the Big
Horn and Windy ranges; between the
warm waters of the buffalo and the cold
cascades Of the mountain streams: be-
tween the willows and birohes OF the Hole
and the sage lunches of the hillsides. Is
both interesting and paradoxical.
Into this valley rode George Murray
In the early summer of 1895.
Hail way down the gorge gateway he
was met by the summary challenge Of
Haiti" II was not unexpected for the
history of tho Hole-in-the-Walr was
known to him. and had brought him
hither.
A few words Of explanation to the
challenging sentry and Murray was turn
guard. and conducted onward through the
fertile valley. But few words passed
between him and the guide. The silence
Of the valley was almost unbroken, save
by the occasional stroke Of hoof upon
gravel or the more rare note OF bird.
. After travelling about one and a half
miles the party Of two stopped at a coli
lection of pole and 'dcbe cabins situated in
o most picturesque spot at the junction Of
. little creek with the ripping waters Of
the Buffalo. From one Of the cabins came
dozen large-framed, swarthy. mountain
GERS. dressed In the unconventional attire
OF the cowboy. each cartridge belt carry
ing two heavy reyolvers and each right
hand resting easily Upon the most con-
yenient gun"
From one Of The cabins came the sound
Of blacksmiths hammer and the open
door showed the grimy workman beating
his billet Of steel into q horseshoe. Over
another door appeared a Yudely lettered
eign in letters Of lamp black and oil, Cos
pei and Rum Dealed Out Here. You pays
your money and takes your Choise." From
Mt 49, -. q
convinced Murray whereupon the "choise''
had fallen.
The guide exchanged few secret words
with one whom he addressed as general.
and then. as II obeying a command, con-
Quoted Murray to cabin which stood
apart from the remainder. This cabin
Murray and his guide entered alone. It
was apparent at the first glance that It
was an assembly hail. Around the sides
were rude benches capable of seating six
men to the bench. At one end was a
raised dais with chair and stand there
on. The chair was made OF polished horns.
Over II the huge head Of bull elk, with
w1de-extended antlers rested against the
rude wall. At the left and in front of
this speakers CHAIR" and at the edge of
the dais, was a rough table having draw
ers In one side and a bottle of ink with
pens resting on its unpublished top.
which might be termed an altar. On this
stand lay hunting knife, a brass bowl and
m unlighted candle. At its side stood a
cavalry saber.
Murray had scarcely observed as many
OF the details of this hall as we have
here noted, when the room began to fill
with men. Rough vsaged men they
were, no two dressed alike, and yet, at
first glance. all appearing to be dressed
alike; the similarity OF the sombrero,
belt, cartridges and guns covered the dis
similarity Of garments,
Presently the general mounted the dais
and called the assembly to order. MUIR
ray was placed, standing. in the center of
the room before the altar and facing the
general. A secretary took his place at
the table with the ink and pens, and drew
large journal from one of the drawers
You say your name is George Muir
ray. Whence came your" demanded the
general.
From Wichita. Kan.." answered Mr..
Murray.
"Of what crime are you accused?" again
demanded the general.
"of the murder of Henry Astrole," was
Murray's reply
Your guide informs us that you seek
protection and membership in our COM
munity. Is such your desire?''
ut Is"
Are you ready to seal your blood to our
blood. your life to our life, by an oath
which, IL broken. will bring upon you
instant death?"
II am"
Are you willing to place upon our rec
ords, by your own hand, a confession.
under oath, Of every crime you have COM
mitted, such confession to be open to the
world at the command Of our general?"
II am"
.'Then kneel before the altar while we
test your bravery and your sincerity"
The ceremony which followed was not
long. But 1t served its purpose Of assur-
Ing those present that Murray had all the
qualities OF their clan. He was physically
perfect fearless, and a murderer. What
more could be needed to make Of him an
acceptable addition to the American Order
of Banditti Of the Plains?
For year Murray followed the rules
and regulations OF his accepted company.
He didi work as guide, as scout, patrol
or soldier. He carried wood and water