The Globe-republican., 1905-12-28

Grand Roundup Of CattIemen and
Cowboys Tonight at La Junta.

Grand Roundup Of CattIemen and
Cowboys Tonight at La Junta.
The Denver News Of last Sunday gives
an extended write up Of the grand round
up and dance Of the cowboys of Colorado,
which takes place this evening In La
JuDta. Mr.. Beeson Of Dodge City Is one
Of the particular guests 81 honor d the
evening. The Denver News says Of tho
event:
\ The cowboys Of the "Circls Diamond
and the ~. j." ranches, conceived the
idea that there should be a general round
Ing up Of the cowlnen In the southeastern
corner 81 Colorado. They have msde ar
rangements to have an old.tims cowboy
dance, which will be given 10 this city
December 28. The seancs will COM
mence ut early cand light and continue
until the dancers are exhausted. No one
will be In attendance but cowboys. cattle,
men and their wives and sweetheartp.
The square dance, or the "cowdrill,"
will be y special feature, and only old
time music will be played. Wonderly's
orchestra will furnish the music. Mr..
Wonderly has been conducting an orches.
ira Ia La Junta sinoe the city was found
ed, and has al the old music familiar to
the cowboys.
Among the old timers who have accept.
I'd the invitation 10 Hon. q. M. Beeson Of
Dodge City, Kan. His full name ID
Chalkley MeCary Beeson-s man with
out frllls. He will forgive man calling
him Mr.. Bssson the hrst time they meet; {;
after that It 10 "Chalk" or they remain
strangers.
"Chalk" Il probably one Of the best
known men among the early cowboys Of
Colorado. He went to Denver In April,
1858. In that year he was with party
Of ranchert from the d., ids who stamped.
I'd q herd Of beef which was driven north
by Charles Goodnight Of Pueblo, with
McPryor az "maradomo" or boss, In
those days che csttlemen along Plum,
Cherry. Krown and "rh.r creeks feared
the Texas fever. and not being able to
make satisfactory arrangements with the
owner Of this herd to drive around. they
came down on the Fountain, close to
Colorado Springs. aud late one night
charged on the herd and siampeded the
cattle. Some years aflerward, when
Goodnight was at Dodge City, Beeson
spoke TO Goodnight about this affair.
Goodnight replied: "Do you know,
chalk, you fellows done such good job
that the id herd is running yel?'
When Grand Duke Alexis of Russia
was on his hunting trip in the early 70's,
Chalk WAS ore Of the two guides appoint.
ed by the government officials to conduct
the grand duke and his party during
their stay In this part Of the country
He received several personal letters and
valuable presents from the grand duke
on bis return to Russia.
He was one OF the best known early
day musicians In the West Before the
Santa Fe was IN this pa Of the country
his orchestra was In great demand, He
drove from Pueblo to Las Animas to play
for The opening Of the American house
when 1t was dedicated by William Con-
nors. One time he was to play there for
a iasce. but failed to show up. Some
one rnstled an organ. When Connors
heard of 1t he went to the dance aud sho
out the lights, saying that his guests
could not dance to church music.
The frat dance ever given In La Junta
was held In the 12xlS depot and on the
freight platform. The young bloods Of
Las Ansmas chartered train and came
up to this dance, which was quite an
event In the early history Of La .Iunt a
Chalk and Charley Wonderly (now of
La Junta) furnished the music.
He organized and chartered the original
Cowboy band Of Dodge City, and was its
leader when all the members were cow
boys, They toured the eastern cities,
maklnga great hit. He afterward sold
bis charter to Pueblo parties, who con-
tinued. the organization with headquar-
ters ut Pueblo.
he Is one Of the wealthiest men In
south western Kansas. His love for music
Is 30 great that LIZ maintains AL orchestra
which 10 known oil over western Kansas
aud DOrtlIwesteiu Texas as "Beeson's
orchestra" 1t has reputation AS being
second 10 none. de has two sons, who
are fine performers. The elder plays the
c0ronet aud was q member Of the First
Regiment band Of Missouri during the
spanish American war. His younger
son, who Is but Is, plays the best slide
trombone In western Kansas.
hon. Alva Adams aud Mr.. Besson were
a arm personal friends In the early days
q Colorado. Mr. Adams was Mr. Bee.
.on's guest when Mr. Adams spoke to
hat assembly on "Governor's day" las,
,ngust.
Mr. Beeson located In Dodge City when
lat city was In its Infancy and has re-
l,led ln Ford county ever since. His
anme is about mile and q half south
,,at AZ DOdRa CITY on n fiue alfatfa farm