Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-09-17

the hsppiest years OF my life with him
both here aud on his ranch in Dakota
Nnefe tof three years was his foreman
HE WAS ALL orr.
"bow did | come to meet Roosevelt?
Well, u must be some twenty-five ODD
years ago that his cousins, DIR. ]. West
Roosevelt aud w. Il. Roosevelt, the latter
awesithy banker OF New York, used to
come here to hunt Ia the fail. Once they
told me that they we're golng TO invite
young relative Of theirs up here.
They said bis name was Teddy Roose-
vs't, and that he was a college student.
They cautioned me about him, al / now
reeollect, saying that he was q gritty,
hesdstrong youngster who had more sand
10 HE crop than he had strength, and they
wanted me 10 take the best OF care OF him,
well, he csme. He was q pale, rather
delicate young man OF about eighteen,
but Tho toughest boy physically and the
greatest mentally that ever met. gave
him tho room right over this one we're
sitting In, and We went out hunting. He
took the greatest interest In the woods,
aud never complained OF being tired,
sltheagh knew many q time that he was
hardly able to drag himself home after
long tramp.
That boy would never give up. He'd
slwsys take the biggest end OF the stick,
too, and many a time I was afraid he'd
collapse on me. bat be would cheer right
up and say be was ~ fresh ~ a daisy.
/ Talk about gritl He was all grit.
''Hs came year after year, and we went
out into tbs woods. Among Others be
met BIZ Dow, the fsircst aud squarsst
man that ever lived, and the bcs, shot In
Aroo=took county. When he died lost q
good friend. We we're together on Rooso-
/ velt's ranch out In tho Bad Lands, and II
| vas soss-up who was ioreman--Biii or
| myself. wbea Roosevelt started out on
his new career he didn't forget us, and
ssksd Bill and me TO so out to his ranch
10 Dskots.
| "rhls was along 10 81, and Bill and |
/ went to New York TO meet him. We
found blm Ia the Fit,h avenue hotel, sur
| rounded by politicians, and when he
| spisd as be rushed up With both hands
/ fact. Well. he engaged Us to go out to
psketa. Neither OF "a knew anything
/ about ranches or backing hronchos, but
4 Col Roosevelt said that We we're ali right,
/ and that ho wanted some Maize men to
/ look out Tor bis interests.
se'rau ranch was located on the Little
l Missouri. about thirty miles from Ms1-
I
named after the wife of the Marquis do
/ More~, and the marquis owned the lands
/ on both sides Of he Roosevelt ranch. He
had In his employ the toughest lot OF
eow boys tn that part of the country, and
there was trouble ia the air all the time.
Tho marquis and bis gang seemed to
think they could run the whole country,
aud thTew lot OF big bluffs our way.
Two men named Reilly aud O'Donnell
wers told by the marquis that they were
sncroaching on his land, and notified by
him that II they didn't get out at once
they would be shot on sight. One day
these two men were ared upon from am
bush. Reilly being killed and o'Donnoll
crippled for life. The marquis was ar
rested aud tried tor the murder OF Reilly,
bot bis money saved hiia from the gal
iows--he was acquitted.
'.5oou after this Bill and we're notified
that ~ We didn't get East where We
belonged, cur bones would be found on
tine ranch, aud the life OF Col. Roosevelt
also vas threatened. The de Mores crowd
claimed mat we were on their land.
Z a N p
rignt- hand msp, and be made the open
threat that he would shoe, Col. Roosevelt
on sight.
CALLED A WESTERN BLUFF.
THE Colonel vas 10 Sew York at the
tine, bat The day he got back 10 the ranch
and heard what had been going on, he
| mounted his horse aud rode straight over
to hS de Mores ranch. He hunted up
Paddock and said:
"'I understand that you have threat
ened to KIN me on sight. Now / have
come over to see when you want to be-
sin tue killing, and to inform you that
IL you have anything to say against mo
nos is the time TO say a.
Paddock turned pale, and suffered out
sonnet hing about II being all mistake;
that be had never made any such threats.
He made all sorts OF apologies, aud then
Cot. Roosevelt rode back TO his ranch.
Next came challenge from the Mar
| quis de Moses to Col. Roosevelt. Tue
marquis sent letter saying that the cot
ansl had Influenced one OF the witnesses
agains, him in the murder trial, and de-
eiaring that between gentlemen such dii-
erenees could be settled Ia bat Que way,
meaning, of course, by duel. Col Roose'
Welt said 10 me:
"sBii, don't want to disgrace my fam
ily by lighting a duel; but I WON'T be
bullied by a Frenehman. Now, as am
the challenged party, l have the privilege
OF naming the weapons. am no swords
man, and pistols are too uncertain and
Frenchy for me; so what do you say II /
make II rifissG
"r'u Just write to the marquis, wing