Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-30

The origin OF domesticated animals
is, after all, less to be wondered at when
one comes 10 consider that all savage
tribes OF men far removed from the
center OF civilization are fond Of pet
animate and for ever capturing and
tanning them In large numbers around
their habitations. Travellers in the
Amazon valley Of South America have
often been struck by the vast number
Of tame parrots, monkeys, curassows,
tapirs, peccaries, agoutis, and even ia
guars about the huts Of the Indians
Of that region, and the same conditions
occur elsewhere.
Not only are savages given to keeping,
and tanning wild animals of every des-
ciipuon, but civilized men as well, once
they are withdrawn from the centers
Of population, For example, this was
triKngy illustrated in the case OF the
regiments Of soldiers stationed along
the western frontier from 1855 to 1892
n arly every company had from one TO
several pet deer, elk, offers, prairie
4sss, coyotes, and OCCASIONALLY a pet buff
falo bear, or Big Horn sheep. animals
which they had captured when young
and which had grown up among the
men OF the different companies. troops,
and batteries of infantry, cavalry, and
artillery,
Recently Post reporter had the good
fortune to fall in with an old frontiers
man who had served throughout the
Big Horn and Yellowstone campaign
against the Sioux Indians In 1876, and
VINO is now a member of the District
police force, who, in relating his ex-
perlences Of HE and times on the plains
from 1870 10 1883, told the following very
~ eres'ing stories Of some of the pets
that he had seen during his term of
scr ice on the frontier:
In those days" he said, nearly
every company and troop had pet %
some variety and the same was the
case with many Of the officers and men.
who made 1t point to pick up fawns
and cub bears wherever they found or
came across them, No one objected to
them, for they were good company and
amused US by their tricks. and IN tell
ven that everything Of that sort count
ed In place as lonesome os some Of the
frontier forts and posts were along i'm
the seventies The most amusing and
remarkable pet that | ever encountered
was 10 my notion, tame elk that the
boys called Nancy. she belonged to the
quartermaster at Fort Laramie Wyo..
during the time ! was stationed there
with company G Of the Fourteenth in.
fantry, which formed part of the gar
risOn Of that outpost during the two
years following the Big Horn campaign.
This elk had been captured during q |
hunt by the quartermaster when quite |
young, and had been raised at the fort.
FoND OF MUSIC.
Nancy was peculiar animal and so |
fond of music that | believe she would /
have followed brass band to the ends |
nj the earth. No matter how hungry /
she might be, neither sugar, apples. nor |
other dainty would tempt her away 4
from the band when it happened to be /
playing. OF course, as at all military
Establishments, the band always played |
~ guard mount. and no matter how /
far on she was, or what she happened |
10 be eating Nancy would drop every
hing when she heard the bugle call for
guard mount and came on a dead run
10 the parade ground. Usually she was
ln hand and waiting several minutes
before the call sounded, but In case she
happened TO be absent she never failed
10 come tearing in at gallop when she
heard the call
Reaching the parade ground she
would follow the adiutant on his round
" inspection, and then, at the conclu-
sion, when the band would strike up.
ihe would go cavorting about, cutting
he most extraordinary capers you ever
Jaw, and following the band wherever Il
vent about the parade ground. One
lay Nancy proved the means of getting
ny company under suspicion. You see.
he rule was that in making his inspec-
ion the adjutant always selected the
leatest and Cleanest man ne could find
u the detachment 10 act as orderly TO
he officer In command at the fort This
vas regarded as snap by every man
n the command, for It meant a night
n bed better food and an easy time
or p hours and, In consequence, every
nan strove to present n fine appearance
II guard mount in the hope Of being
hosen orderly
Nov, there were two men at the
Kelley Of troop Il. Second
avalry, and Sam Devine OF company c,
infantry-who were the
wells Of the command, and who took
special pride IN keeping themselves in
rim. so that whenever II came the turn
v this company and troop TO turn out
or guard mount everybody knew I'm
dvance that either one or the other
4 the two, Kelley or Deylne, would