Mexico Missouri message., 1906-09-20

all spring. It was 80 mortal dull here
with you folks gone that l went out with
a locating party to get the NJ p. branch
located ahead OF the Short Line folks.
So while you were having your fun there
was having mine here, and had It good
and plenty.
The worst weather I ever did sec, and
I have seen some bad. Snow six to eight
feet on level and the mercury down as
low as 81 with an orneTy fierce wind. We
lost four horses froze to death, and all
but two Of the men got froze up bad. We
reached the head of Madison Valley Feb.
49, north OF Red Bank Canyon, but Il
wasn't as easy as It sounds.
Jan. 8, after getting out Of supplies, we
abandoned our camp at Riverside and
moved 10 m. down the river carrying what
we could on our backs. Met pack train
with a few supplies that night, and next
day took part Of the force in boat to
meet overdue load OF supplies. We got
froze In the ice. Left party to break
through and took Billy Brue and went
ahead to hunt team. Billy and me lived
four days on one ID. bacon. The second
day Billy took some sickness so he could
not eat hardly any food; the next day he
was worse. and the last day he was so
bad he said the bare sight Of food made
him gag. I think he was a liar, because
he wasn't troubled none after we got to
supplies again, but I couldn't DO anything
with him, and so 1 lived high and come
out slick and fat. Finally we found the
team coming in. They had got stuck in
the river and we had to carry out the load
on our backs, waist-deep in running water.
/ see some man in the east has q fad for
breaking the ice in the river and going
swimming. 1 would not do It for any fad.
Slept in snowdrlft that night in wet clothes,
mercury 40 below. Was Is days going 3S
miles. Broke wagon twice, then broke
sled and crippled one horse. Packed the
other FIVE and went on till snow was too
deep. Left the horses where four out of
FIVE died and carried supplies the rest of
the way on our backs. Moved camp again
on our backs and got caught in a bliz-
card and nearly all OF us got our last freeze
up that time. Finally a Chinook opened
the river and took boat up to get the
abandoned camp Got froze In harder
than ever and had to walk out Most OF
the men quit on account Of frozen feet, etc,
ETC. They are a getting to be a sissy lot
these days, rather lie around hot stove
all winter.
1 had to pull chain, cut brush and shovel
snow after the list Feb. Our last stage
was from Fire Hole Basin to Madison
Valley, 45 m. 1t was hell. Didn't see the
sun but once after Feb. /, and II stormed
incessant, making short sights necessary,
and with each one we would have to dig
a hole TO the ground and often a ditch
or a tunnel through the snow to look
through. The snow was soft to the bottom
and an instrument would sink through.
Here's a fine letter to read on a hot
day." called Percival. Pm catching
cold" He continued.
We have a very good line, better than
from Beaver Canyon, our maps filed and
construction under way; all grading done
and some track laid. That's what you
mt Il.
Red Bank canyon. It's a regular ava
lanche for eight miles. The snow slides
just fill the river. One just above our
camp filled 1t for a mile and 40 feet deep
and cut down #. trees like a razor shaves
your face. had to run to get out of the
way. Reached Madison Valley with one
tent and 1t looked more like mosquito bar
than canvas. The old cloth wouldn't hard
ly hold the patches together. 1 slept out
doors for six weeks 1 got frost-bitten con-
siderable and the rheumatic. ! tell you,
at IS l ain't the man used to be. j find
1 need a stout tent and good warm sleep
ing bag for them kind of doings nowadays
Well, this western country would be
pretty dull for you 1 suppose going to
balls and parties every night with the
Astors and Vanderbilts. I hope you ain't
cut loose none.
BY the way, that party that ground
sluiced us, the woman who was with your
pa when he died and who turned up later
with a fake marriage certificate and will,
Coplen he met a party in Spokane the other
day that seen her in Paris last spring. She
was laying in a stock of buds and the
party gethered that she was going back
to New York
The Milbreys, father and son, came
up and greeted the group on the piazza.
I've just frozen both ears reading
a letter from my grandfather" said
Percival. Excuse me one moment
and I'll be DONE"
"All right, old chap. I'll see If
there's some mail for me. Dad can
chat with the ladies. All, here's Mrs.
Drelmer. Mornin'!"
Percival resumed his letter.
going back to New York and make the
society bluff. They say she's got the face
to do 1t all right. Coplen learned she come
out here with gambler from New Or
leans and she was dealing bank herself
up to Wallace for spell while he was
broke. This gambler he was the slickest
short-card player ever struck hereabouts.
He was too gcjd. He was so good they
shot him all up one night last fall over
10 Wardner. She hadn't lived with him
for some time then. though Coplen says
they was lawful man and wife, so guess
in the chest-place-
Fred Milbrey came out Of the hotel
Office
mo mail" he said. Come, let's be
getting along. Finish your letter on
the way, Bines."
"I've just finished" said Percival,
glancing down the last sheet.
-Coplen says she is now calling herself |
Mrs. Brench Wybert OF some such name. |
I Just thought Ia tell you in case you
might run acrost her and
Come along, old chap" urged Mil
brey; Mrs. Wybert will be waiting"
His father had started of with Psyche. !
Mrs. Bines and Mrs. Drelme- were
to follow.
II beg your pardon" said Percival,
4 didn't quite catch the name"
IL say Mrs. Wybert and mother will |