Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-10-05
TN THE WEST.
John Quilts Visit to the
IOI Ranch,
A Glimpse Of the Generous
Hospitality Of the West.
The Indians, The COWBOYS and the Great
Ranch of Oklahoma.

ers are ncted the world over for
their hospitality. l was given an OK
cellent opportunity to study the red
man and his primitive ways and meet
the cowboy on his own grounds
saw him in his native element, and
just as Remington has SO wildly pOr-
traycd him. | met him socially, l saw
him at the hunt and chase, and at the
roundup. The cowboy is a western
product, part and parcel of the great
West that extends from the Missis-
sippi to the Pacific coast. BrOnzed by
sun and wind of many seasons, his
sombrerc of lghtest brown jauntily
worn a little back from the forehead,
his hair worn Il tri1e long for conven-
fence, blue flannel shirt, open at the
neck, exposing an eXpansc of throat
and breast, Il black silk handkerchief
tied in a square knot, tan colored
blouse waist falling over and covering
the gun belt pair of close woven
corduroy pants, with riding fringe, his
feet cncascd in Indian moccasinS ana
you have a word picture. rs | saw nm
of the range rider of the great West
Generous to "A fault and quick as
fash he is Il good man to tie to. The
mount he rides is an Indian pony, and,
like his master, q product of the plains.
born to privation and hardship and
trained to the work. The cowboy and
his pony are inseparablc. for the COW
puncher spends the most of his wax
ing hours in the saddle.
After our special had made the cir
cult Of the territory, it rolled into
Guthrie on Sunday morning, and at
a. NJ. we pulled out for ranch
1O1, some - miles up north on the
line of Santa Fe r. L. The ranch
is situated midway between Bliss
and Ponca City, and covers some
5000 acres, or approximately 1876
about onc-ciehth the area of some of
our smaller states. We arrived at
1880. and were met at the train by the.
Miller brothers, managing owners of
the ranch, who extended cordial well
OCmc to our party. Prairie schOoners
and overland coaches were in waiting
to convey us to the banquet tent, some
half mile distant. Midway down
the trail. the cowboys, some 500 i'll
number. on their RESTLESS Indian
ponies, were drawn up in line to receive
US, and on the opposite side the H.
dians, some COO or 200 in number in
their war bOnnets and fcathcry trap
pings. were doing the honors. We
passed down between them 10 the
music of Il band to the large tent that
served as a banquet hall. George Mil
Ter. one of the famous three, presided
and welcomed US in true hearted,
breezy western style that admitted of
no doubt of its gcnuincness. After
So h. I4S
We were taken to the big arena to wit
ness the sports and phstimcS. Dainty
programs, in colors and gold, dedicated
to the y. f.. A., and reading as follows,
were presented to us: Souvenir Pro-
gram, Indian Celebration, Cowboy Re
union. Buffalo Chase and Historical
Western Exhibition, entertaining the
National Editorial Association at 101
Ranch. Bliss. Okla. Miller BROTHERS"
The arena WAS Il mile and Il quarter in
circumference. cgg-shaped. the inner
ring protected by a high wire fence
the whole surrounded by an immense
grand stand. extending the entire dis
tan"c If the RUG. The program was
as follows:
Grand Parade. Indians. Cowboys,
Prairie SrhooncrS. ON Wagons Okl1-
homq Farmers, Modern Farm Ma
Chincry. Steam plow, Automobiles, T.
Bands. Buffalo Chase. Indian Sports
and Dances.
Miss Lucille Mulhau and her horse
Governor"
George Elscr. Champion Trick Rider
of the World.
Riding wild Eronrhos.
Champion steer Roping Contest
Tho Wonderful Negro "Pickctt'
Throwing Wild steer with His Teeth.
Cowboys ana Girls in Horseback
puadriIlc
Burning Emigrant Wagon Trains by
Indians.
Reception by the Indians.
Home Sweet Home.
one of the big features of the en-
tertainm"nt WAS Geronimo. the old
ApaCh" chief who was brought up
from Fort Sill. and with his keepers
made an imposing spectacle. Long
straight hair that curlcd slightly on
his should ~, hich-Chcck bones. aqui-
line T"SC ana eyes that we're piercing
in their iutcnsitH. and you have Il pro-
file Outline of Il once great chief. 1t
WAS the passing Of the Indians the
occasion OF the ,lissolving of the tribal
relations. The Indians had sold their
land and now go farther back and take
service with the whites. 1t was the
last roundup the Indians will ever
have. The tribes are scattered and the
tribal relations broken.
The story of the 10l ranch, as told to
me by one of the Miller brothers. is
we'll worth repeating. Some wears ,Co.
long before the strip was opened to
settlers George Miller the elder and
father Of the present owners, was driv.
Ing cattle from Texas to Missouri
through the territory over = trail of his
own. Along the arkansas river, where
lie Travelled. just where the river bends
end forms letter W. there was A rich
piece of grazing land that Miller COY
eted, and when the strip was about "a
be opened up by the government he
saw his long cherished opportunity. He
selected the finest Kentucky thorough
bred in his herd, and long before the
opening Cay he was on hand training
his black beautv for the race of his
icN,