Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1906-03-19

caused the Indians to abandon tn.
woods.
} After this day we saw no more In
dians, except a f,w who fired into ou
camp near what is called "Pompey',
Pillar" They caused little commo
ton among the men who were bath
i ing their clothes in the river.
l recall an interesting experience
of that summer. One day we were
marching along in the bottom land
the officers to one side in order tt
avoid the dust, when, without warn
ing, my horse went down and I was
thrown over his head. 1t seemed az
If the earth had opened under US
We had gotten into a Guicksand hole
or Pit of unknown depth. Luckily il
was not more than eight or nine feel
across. Horse and rider f1oundereC
around and | felt myself going down
4 picket line was thrown to me and
was pulled out, but very sorry lcok
ing sight-mud and sand all over from
the neck to the feet. The horse was
also, after much difficulty, pulled out
My ride the balance Of the day was
! anything but pleasant. The mud got
dry, and my clothes became stiff |
! suffered no injury from this e.. peri.
ence, but lost one of my handsome
spurs, which is way DOM somewhere
in the bowels of the earth I suppose.
One afternoon, in camp, many of
the men had washed their under
clothing and put the articles on some
low bushes to dry. A sudden whirl-
wind swept through the camp and
carried off number of the garments.
For few minutes the air was full of
them. Some lodged in the branches
of cottonwood trees, and were with
difficulty recovered; others when last
seen were going heavenward, and
they were never seen again by their
owners. 1t was ludicrous sight, but
proved serious thing to thuse who
lost an only shirt, with no way of
getting another till the return of the
expedition.
On one occasion we had to cross a
stream about forty feet or more wide,
and too deep for fording. The banks
were nearly perpendicular, and at
least fifteen feet high. There were no
trees anywhere around that we're
long enough to reach across. A
unique bridge was constructed, Each
wagon carried an extra tongue and
reach, also a water key holding about
twenty gallons. Wagon bodies were
filled with empty kegs. When enough
to reach across-placed lengthwise in
the streaEl-were so filled, they were
put into the water, kegs underneath,
and securely fastened with ropes A
row of stringers was laid on the. up,
turned wagons, and on these a plat:
form was constructed; all parts were
dashed together as firmly as POSSIBLE.
The banks of the stream were dug
away so that there was about thirty
degree slope on both sides. To test
the bridge, some horses were led over,
then some men rode over, The
bridge did not sink more than a few
inches under their weight, and was
considered strong enough to bear a
half loaded wagon. The wagons were
taken across by hand. Each was
halted at the slope, the mules I'm.
hitched and driven across, where they
were caught; the wheels were locked
and then the wagon pushed till it ran
by itself. To the tongue was tied a
rope with hook at the loose end
Two men were at the tongue to guide
the wagon, and two others carried the
loose end of the rope. At the Other
side were two harnessed mules and 9
score of men.
AS the wagon was pushed down the
slope it gathered considerable speed
At the beginning of the bridge were
two Transfers with spades. AS thu
wagon passed them each with mucI
skill and dexterity hit the lock witt
| the edge of the spade. One stroke
by each was generally sufficient tt
Eopen the lock. AS the wagon sho
across the bridge the hook on tn,
loose end of the rope was inserted
into the ring on the whiff1etree, th,
mules were whipped up and aided b,
men at the drag rope, the wagon wa.
over and up the bank in less tim.
than it takes to tell of it. The mel
with the spades rarely missed til,
first trial at unlocking. At first, th,
ambulances and light wagons wer,
tried, but it was soon seen that tn,
bridge was strong and would stan,
more strain. When the heavily load
ed vehicles went ON the bridge i
sank below the surface, but readiI,
arose as soon as the weight came Of