Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-03-02

Il
had them on and asked the price,
told him $3.50. He flew back on his
heel and called me some mean names
and said: "Did not tell you want
ed a good pair of boots" I said yes.
but you will have to excuse me, ]
thought you were Missourian. Then
was in for It. He pulled his gun and
had hard time TO get him qnieted
down. Finally said to him, ] know
now what you want, you are from
Texas aud know just what you
want. Iopened box Of the same
boots. got him n fit and charged him
sls and II was all right. Another
man had made quite bill with me
overcharged him on some things.
told him always tried to give a man
4 square deal. About that time he
thought OF his wife wanting some
ciothespins and he asked the price.
told him ~ he had made quite bill
he could have all he wanted at his
own price. He looked them over
carefully and thought they could be
made for about 2Sc per dozen aud he
would take eight dozen at that price.
He took them and paid for them and
then showed him that they were
marked on the box at Sc dozen. The
Joke was 10 good that he would not
take his money back. The most Of
our eustomers were very liberal deal.
sss. They would just drive up their
lions ~ to prices, but they wanted
the best goods.
For . good many years the nearest
east, Hugo or Kit Carson on the north.
80 miles. Huerfano on the west. ~
miles and Trinidad on the south. 80
miles. Soon after the Santa fe rail-
road was built. town sprang up on
the present site Of La Junta and did
. wonderful tsouthcrn) business.
When the railroad was built from
Pueblo to Trinidad. La Junta was
moved to Trinidad aud the postofiicc
as the old point was turned over to me.
Then later on the Santa Fc built
south from La Junta and the town
again started up. But Il was quite a
little time before they had their post
Office again established. and during
that time J. {. Dcnay aud I ran the
mail matters to suit ourselves. I
would bundle up what mail thought
belonged down there and send Il to
Denny and he would place II in box
and set Il on the counter aud let the
people take out what they wanted aud
then return the remainder to INC.
Strange TO say no trouble ever grew
out of that kind Of postal delivery.
What a contrast between 1871 and
today. Contrast our many beautiful
towns and iitirs. many fine business
blocks. hotels. banks aud Our we'll
regulated Posioiiiec. our mail service.
our churches. schools and Ia fact
everything that goes 10 make home
life. with the conditions of the old
times. above all note the eontras; be.
tween the country once called part
of the Grca; American Desert. a. Iin-
a part of tho country az there IL in
this great union of oura.
have hrcu asked. often. why I do
not lay OF and take life easy and GU.
Joy my later days. Friends. 60 sec
the wonderful dcvciopmcu, OF this
magnificent, western country. par,ieu.
iariv in our own Nrkansa. Valley. l.
good enough and glory enough for
nc.
Billy Mscsskill. row known as Hon.
Vim. Hecassill. said tho chair. was IN
trodue7d ss an old ina cowboy. and On
coming forward asonee plead guilty TO the
charge. Ho entered into a very interest,"
ing recital Of the experiences Of early
days. both on and off the range. Mr..
MeCsssill no, only had interesting or
periouees 10 toll but tho ability for ef-
ACTIVELY telling hsm. and all those pfss-
ent greatly enjoyed his stories.
The present and the future Of Rocky
tCuntinuci On Page ~