Smyrna times., 1906-03-07
SMYRNA BOYS PARTICIPATE
IN EXCITING HUNT OUT WEST
THRILLING EXPERIENCE ON WESTERN FROM
TIER FOR CHARLES AND HARRY WORKMAN

The Workman Boys Are Brothers-iu.Iaw of
Harry Blendt and are Familiarity Known
In This Vlcinity Where They Once Resided
1t was in the early summer of 1905
that we had contemplated trip (my
brother Charley Workman and L. to
the Yellowstone National Park, thence
south through the game preserve of
Wyoming. and into the famous Jack
son Hole country, but business mat
ters detained US during the Park sea-
son until the passes were full of snow,
making it impossible to get there with
wagon. 1t was then decided that we
take the last thirty days of the season
and go into the mountains on what
proved to be one of the most glorious
trips it has ever been my privilege to
enjoy. Impossible as it is for me to
describe that thirty day trip as 1 really
experienced it, l will, nevertheless,
endeavor to write something about it
that may prove interesting at least, to
the cotton tail hunters along the Della
ware.
The morning of October 18th found
me IN the wagon seat behind two risky
Bronco's headed for Swanson's ranch,
a point on the south fork of the Sha-
shane River, fifty miles south west of
the Buffalo Billy town of Cody, and
$500 feet above sea level, Cody is
5000.) After a long ride over the
prairie ever up grade, strewn with the
skeletons of buffalo and antelope that
dot the plains along the sage brush,
we arrived at Swansons on the evening
of the twelfth day of October. Camp
ing on the road the night previous, 81
miles from Cody. Having killed sew
eral rabbits and prairie chickens along
the road, which afforded us plenty of
fresh meat in camp for the time being,
the horses being obliged to hustle for
a living on the Buffalo grass around
the camp. Here at the ranch we pitched
our tent, set up the stove, while Char
lie, our chief cook began to prepare
supper, and / to unload the wagon
and make preparations to start on the
following morning, over the narrow
trail with a train of pack horses,
twenty-one strong into the grand old
mountains that rise before us high into
the clouds. While Gus, an expert
fisherman was detailed to go and catch
enough for breakfast for seven men,
which he did, returning in less than
an hour, besides shooting the heads
off couple Of grouse with a pistol.
, w gass Fses-uf the boys were busily en-
sAged getting wood and water for
camping purposes. All under the SUI
pervision of Fred Chase, noted
mountain guide from Cody, an expert
taxidermist and a crack shot.
Broke Camp and Continued the Journey.
On the morning of the 18th we arose
good and early to find that light
snow was falling. The question arose
whether we should break camp and
continue the trip that day or wait un
til after the storm was over 1t was
soon decided, however, to continue the
journey for two reasons, one being
that as we supposed it was showing
very hard on the divide, an altitude Of
about $4,000 feet which We were
obliged TO cross, and the sooner W,
got there the less snow we will hav,
to contend with. The other reason
being that the open season for huntin,
was daily coming to an end, and on.
day may mean much in the pursuit o
wild game. Well, soon all were asst
at lively rate. Horses were caught
saddled and loaded with paniers, pro
visions. cooking utensils, bedding
stoves, tent, war sacks, etc. BY eigh
O'Clock a. M, all were ready, and W
hit the trail on that unreasonable win
ter's morning, that winds around tn
foot hills and loses you to civilization
for after that day not one in the part
knew whether it was Tuesday or Sat
urday, or what day it was. The onl
conclusion we could reach was that W
had left Cody on the eleventh. As W
approached nearer the mountains th
trail became more rough and rugged
winding around large houlders thi
bad fallen from the mountain top age
ago; over rapid, running streams tn,
rush down over the rocks at a twent
knot gait; through deep gulches an
gorges; across snow slides that move
a swath quarter of a mile wild
through dense forests on the mon
tain side; oyer rocks and trees thu
laid waste, when suddenly the ira
makes short turn upward, for thu
far we have followed principally ii
main stream up the narrow valley n
til we reach the Falls, 200 feet hig
which We must pass by ascending d
10. Il r. L