The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-09-21
Story IF the Dalton Bows.


Story Of the Dalton Boys.
Z. B. Murphy, who has travelled about
in the Indian country great deal ana
has seen many adventures in the frontier
writes as follows about a Circumstance
which bore relation to the awful tragedy
which afterwards occurred At Cofeyvile
DR.. John p. Wood. the centernarian FORM
erly OF this city has professional connec-
ton with the case. The story as writ
ten by Mr.. Murphy follows:
Il have had a few adventures in my
roaming career. said the westerner, as
he edged over the berch to let me sit
down, and I was Just thinking what
might or might not have happened had
an old physician of my acquaintance fail
ed TO put in an appearance at the proper
time and place.
4 party of US cowmen were in the
I Cherokee country in charge of the Y T
cattle in the fall of IS and were all
figuring on a grand blowout that would
come of in about two weeks when the
last bunch of two steers were loaded on
4 the cars and we had our money. The
/ camp grub. cooked by i half breed Creek
Indian, was not quite to the liking of
most Of the boys. native Texans. and
they wanted a change This was one
thing and the absence OF ''tangle- foot
I In the Cherokee country was another We
had not had a drop of good liquor for
three months and all felt that to have one
good. stout drink of Denison boze would
be the grandest treat on earth
SATURDAY. r11ornino car,a
Geld, drizzling rain that made the ponies
lump their backs ard stand in hud-
die. the cattle strung out for a small
c,ump of black jack timber mile or
so to the southwest Of the camp. and
altogether life took on blush tinge that
vas not a bit pleasant
Sam Crane and l were the first out
that morning and we started for the
bunch with a vim intened TO warm both
ourselves and our horses and If possible
stake some of the blue devils that had
taken such grip on us
Sam had the best of the race and
had just dropped over bank into draw
couple of hundred Of yards ahead OF
ne when he let out yell that would
lave aroused at least six OF the seven
try. and came tearing back toward me.
/ took the slack out Of my reins in double f.
quick and old buckskin almost sat down. (
so sudden did ne stop.
What besides hell aiIs you. SAM"
asked. as he famed up 10 me looking
like ghost
Ned there are couple Of men in
that draw and both OF them had
bead on me and III swear / thought
! was a goner. Don't feel Ike I wanted
to cash in just vet and especially without
q chance TO unlimber NY iron"
As Sam finished his rapid speech two
men arose from the grass. covered ns
with their wincheste-s and asked who
we were and what our business was.
i told them that we were with the
y outfit and were rounding 10 the
stock. The men dropped the butt OF
their guns 70 the ground and told Us
to come up, they were not shooting COW
zen. Indian police we've their game.
sam and ] went 20 where they were
md dismounted. They shook hands and
'egged Sans pardon for giving him such
r scare All four of US went n their
amp. Their outfit consisted Of spring
wagon and cover. piece OF san cloth
? hich served as tent and our old four
eggtd washing machine. such as were
'eiaG sold over the country az that time. :
Their stock was not in The hest Of z
cndition and they looked as If they had Z
cen some recent travel. One Of the men g.
tent 70 The wagon and after fimbiins r
ound Tor few minutes came hack % G
where We three were standing. holding q
pint bottle n liquor by tho neck sans q
so danced 2 tvo-step and be saw We s
lens OF a warn" time. q
Vow. you fellows might not know p
hat this is" said the stranger. .huf III q
OF make you guess. IFS whisky
III first take drink. then PASS ii 70 s.
by partner and let him drink. what IS s.
II belongs 20 rou too Ssittag tie =
ction ~ the word he drank and messed ir
le bottle q his partner whe took b
drink. ard PASSED IT % Sau. Then m
an glued hts lrs 10 the mouth = tba, b
title and IN take paralvzed oath that
, drank sn but spoonful y
The resuit vas that We. sam and
lTchased quart Bottle on shs $40, "a
= told ne neu where to fud the res, y
THE sang. L.
sam and I started FOR the cattle again -
q the two strangers got their horse. "a
the wagon and pulled out. b.
No hours after the Two stranger. 50
r rs SIX men Eode up T. M ard asked y
, had seen uyth.ug q a couple =
aissy peddlers. We were feeling pretty
, ~ this tine and sam had TO burt n
z tra ---f-h -