The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-02-14

yesterday were:
Jesse Cups, Higgins, Tex, first prize,
! 500: time 1893.
Buck Walsh, Woodward, o. r, sec
ond prize, $50; time 1886.
Jim Seldman, AIva, o. 7, third prize,
s25; time 1899.
Miss Lucille MuhaII, MuIhaII, o. IT,
fourth prize, Stetson hat; time 2:2o.
Billy Brakefield, Cuymon, o. T,
fifth prize, Stetson hat; time 2:28.
More than 10000 people stood in the cold
Yesterday afternoon, most of them fac
| ing the raw. northeast wind, and toward
the last, a drilling rain, to see real cow
boys, on real 0roncos rope and tie real,
wild, long-horned, raw-boned. feet. Texas
! steers. It was a very unpleasant day
! for the contest but a great crowd was
out to see the fun and they were well
repaid for sheir trouble. The thernom-
/ eter registered several degrees colder
! than the day before and there was cold,
! raw, northeast wind blowing and about 5
! o'clock a light rain began to fall and the
| mercury took a tumble at the same time.
! Long before the contest was over the
water was freezing as it fell. The day
/ did not dampen the ardor of the people,
| however for as the men mace a good
play in ropinG a steer, they cheered
| loudly and the last number on the pro-
gram-Miss Mulhall, was cheered from
the time she started after the steer until
long after the animal was roped and tied.
Not a person left the grounds until after
the last steer was tied ard the ropes
thrown away. IT was a novel scene to
the people Of Wichita and vicinity and
also to a great many who came from d
distance. To see wild steers with horns
fax 1orr sc inc rsoI
for this city, that is If they are loose and
at liberty to roam al their own sweet
will. Stockmen have a large number at
the stockyards, but they do not turn them
out just for the fun Of seeing some man
rope and tie them.
The steers used yesterday were the real
thing. They were shipped here from the
southwest and almost any Of them could
outrun horse. Some OF the ropers said
last night that the steers were the lest
they had run up against since they had
been attending the contests. They were
long-legged and when turned out, were
very badly scared. and they ran like a
streak of double-geared lightning. The
old cattlemen said that the steers ran
faster yesterday than they usually did
when out with the herd.
The men were at a considerable dissd-
vantage, as the ground was new to them
torn up the day before and this made it
exceedingly rough and dangerous. Cow
punching is q dangerous game at any
time, but II Is very seldom that the men
have any wcrs1 conditions than they did
yesterday. This is not the time Of year
that the cowboys do very much rCping
or riding Of broncos. The ropes were
wet and soon seemed like n strand of
wire. and several times the men lost their
steer from The fact that the loop did not
open cut properly or as they would in
fair weather. Most Of the men had new
ropes and as soon as these were a little
damp, they were unweildy.
1t was very exciting 10 see the steers
plunge away from the ga te and then the
roper so after him. The steer would
dodge every way and do all they could
to prevent the rope from dropping over
their heads. When the roper was very
near the animal they began to swing their
ropes high above their heads to get the
proper loop and as the rope flew through
the air it made a singing noise Then
to watch the steer after he had been sue
cessfully roped over. the head and see his
frantic efforts TO get away. Many times
some of the steers had 10 be thrown be-
fore the man could get TO him and bind
his feet together
The action of the horses was the best
part OF the whole show They were all
trained ropers and the way they followed
the steer was good 70 see. The men did
not have tine 10 do any guiding OF their
horses while after a steer. They let the
reins hang loosely over the neck and the
pony followed every movement Of the
steer. Every dodge the steer made. the
pony followed in his tracks or tried TO
cut him OF ahead. They seemed to know
what was wanted of them. ana did their
best 10 place the roper in a position to
make quick work of tying the animal.
After 1he steer was roped the Tony
agSin showed its sagaeity. II seemed TO
watch every movement Of the rider and
seemed 10 know when The rope was IN
tho right position and he worked Ike a
beaver 10 throw the steer after he was
roped and adapted itself to them and this
was a. great aid 10 the men.
After he steer was down the little
horse pulled ard tugged with the rope
TIED 20 the saddiehorn ana many times
the steer was dragged several feet before
he had given mp The fight. Then the little
pony stood with the rope drawn TIGHT,
while the man was tying the steers legs
together.
Z he pony usually slackened the rore .
little when the rider reached the steer.
but let Tie steer move his head or even
switch his tail a little and that rope was
tight enough Ia allow q person 10 walk
on il without saesins. Often the steer
tried 10 SET uD. ont the first move he
modc. the pony was on the run dras-irg
the steer with him After the roper .Cuce
reached The steer. h had 10 trouble in
tying him. Toy the pony kept the aIamal
down Some OK the horses seemed 20 be /
better trained in this line Of work than
others. bat an aided their riders as far
as they were able