The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-08-29

In Roosevelt's time are the Ferris broth
ers, Sylvanus and Joe, the best-known
ranchmen in tls locality. whose reputa-
ton extends all over the Northwest.
Joe is postmaster keeps big store.
and enjoys the unique distinction of be-
ing the only Mayor Medora ever had. He
has served i'm that office continuously for
eighteen years, and usually has been
unanimously reelected.
Sometimes few votes are cast against
him for a Joke. Joe's store has been the
principal Quitting place for ranchmen
and cowboys I'm the Little Missouri coun-
try and may be considered the centre OF
civilization In this section.
Sylvanus Is the cattleman of the family,
| and was Roosevelt's tutor in the science
| of cow-punching He is man OF educa-
| ton. with knowledge OF the world.
There isn't much to tell" said he In
reply to my inquiries. Roosevelt was
ranching here for several years. spending
every season with US and doing his share
of the ranch and range work like the rest
OF the men. i cannot remember any par
ticular incidents that are worth repeat
ing.
"Those have seen published in the pa
pers since he was nominated for vice
president are not true, at least they did
not happen To him while he was i'm this
part OF the country, although II was easy
to see from the local color and the names
that are used that they were written by
people familiar wilh affairs in Medora
IF he had been different sort of man
IA dude or a fool, or tenuerfoot-there
would, doubtless have been interesting
stories to tell about him, but he was just
an ordinary, everyday cowpuncher like
myself he asked no favors and he got
none.
There was a prejudice against him at
first, as there always Is among the cow
boys against city men, but when they saw
that he could ride a bronco and shoot and
rope steer as well as any of them,
and had no notions of putting on airs
they began 10 like him, and he soon set
tied down into the routine with them as
of he had never done anything else in his
life
Cowboys are quick of perceptions: they
have keen judgment, and size up man
pretty quickly and pretty accurately.
| When they see an honest, genuine, brave
gentleman they recognize him and re-
spect him and yield to his influence very
readily. IsgotJgmfitdr thns
readily. and that is the way they sized
up Roosevelt
He didn't put on any airs he took care
| of his own string of horses; he slept un-
| der the same blankets with the men: he
| ate OFT tin plate from wood mess
| chest, and sat down on the ground be-
tween the cactus burs beside them; he
rode the lines mt night when his turn
came, rain or shine; he took his turn I'm
| hunting up lost horses and steers; he
| never kicked and he never grumbled. and
| he never shirked. He took everything
that came his way, as Il he liked It.
He was fearless rider" continued
| Mr.. Sylvanus Ferris. "He wasn't afraid
| to mount anything with -four legs, and
| there Is good deal of chained lightning
inside OF a horse hide sometimes.
He took lot OF satisfaction in break
Ing horses in bronco bursting, as the
story writer's call II and he could tame
| down vicious and tricky beast as well
as anybody. lie never did II for show.
nut from desire 10 conquer. lie knew
that he was superior 10 those brutes and
when he saw an unrl.y horse he felt an
| inclination TO demonstrate that superior
| ity.
HE always broke the horses for his own
ranches. Sometimes ne got thrown. once
he broke n rib. Another time he was laid
| up for several weeks with a lame shoul-
der, and he has several other narrow
| escapes. but he was no gutter When he
undertook a job he generally finished IL.
by Godfrey Sylvane. That was a tough
one he used TO say. / think more OF
Theodore Roosevelt that any man 1 ever
| met
No. he has nothing here now except four
old horses on the retired list--the horses
ne used to ride hGntng and on the range.
When he sold his stock he told me TO re-
serve them. lie may have intended To
take them cast, but never did. and they
are now out ON the range. pensioners, as
you might say.
Roosevelt was Interested IN two ranch
es. continued Mr.. Ferris."Ife was a part
ner OF mine In the Maltese Cross ranch.
and had one OF his own with about 1900
| cattle"
He is tough too" interpolated Joe Fer
ris. Tie don't get tired. lie has as much
endurance as any man ever hunted with.
] remember the FIRST time we went buff
falo hunting. lie and went together.
got him as easy horse as could find
and reckoncd that I'd better he n little
easy with him on the start. as he was
| Just out from the city, but. by Jimmy he