The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-28

Davis, assistant state auditor. James
Chappell, proprietor of the Copeland
hotel. Jack Hupps a wealthy mil
Ter OF Pratt and relative OF MI
Travis and a Topeka newspaper man.
Frank McCollister, sheriff of Kear-
ney county and one of the men who
didn't get scared out of Kansas when
hard times came, had invited the
Travis party to Lakin- Mr. McCol-
lister owns a ranch of several thou
sand acres in the sand hills which is
the natural breeding ground of the
prairie chicken, There is enough
vegetation to afford a hiding place;
enough glasShopperS and weed seed
for food and just the place in the
warm sand for nest and the hatch
ing of brood The prairie chicken
learned all this long ago and he is
never seen in the bottoms where grain
grows in abundance until the cold
blasts of winter drive him out to seek
food and better shelter.
There are few houses in the sand
hills, the fences are far apart and an
occasional cattle ranger and his flock
are about all that comes to disturb the
primeval solitude. The sand hills
are thirty miles wide, south of Lakin
and while the hunters may find few
of the chickens there is no danger
that they will be exterminated-thei
domain is too large.
Mr.. McCollister's ThoughtfuIness.
Mr.. McCollister had thoughtfully
provided teams for the hunters and
though he was too sick to accompany
the party he sent a substitute in the
person of young Mr.. Nelson, most
agreeable and accommO dating young
man. Mort Albaugh thought that the
start should be made at daylight for
the McCollfster ranch house which
was to be the rallying place for the
hunt, but when Mr.. Travis routed him
out of his comfortable bed the sun
was already shining in at his window
and 1t was nearly. 8 O'Clock before the
Arkansas was crossed and Lakin was
left behind. Each wagon carried
large jug and it is a fact that these
were filled with water at the Gordon
place just at the edge of the sand
hills. Bird dogs can not work in hot
weather without water and the supply
was taken rather for the animals than
for the men, After a dreary ride of
seven or eight miles through the sand
hills the teams were stopped and Mr..
Nelson pointed to a wind mill two or
three miles away and advised the
hunters to scout around a fat sur
rounding it and rally there prepare
tory to going to the McCollister ranch
house for dinner Mr.. Nation and Mr..
Davis swung off to the left. Mr.. AL
baugh and Mr.. Chappell chose a mid
die course and the others went to the
right. The parties were seldom in
sight of each other but the frequent
the hunters were still there. 1t was
proba bly, an hour before the stray
glers met al the wind mill and there |
were but two chickens to the credit |
of the whole party. Whether these |
were killed by Travis. Hupp or AL |
baugh was a matter of dispute. AL |
baugh is a famous long range marks |
man and he frequently brought down |
a bird at 100 yards-though there |
was usually some one much nearer |
who fired about the same time. There ,
were two missing at the rendezvous
Nation and Davis had wandered away |
and il was feared were lost and one |
Of the teams was sent after them in |
the direction in which they dis |
appeared behind a sand hill Mr.. !
Nelson pointed out twin wind mills |
two miles away where he said the Nc
ColIister ranch headquarters and cor
rails were located and advised the |
hunters to head that way on the next |
drive as it was near the noon hour.
Occasional birds were found by the !,
dogs but the hunting was not good by
and means and the prospect was any
thing but bright. Nation and Davis
were found. They had gone off in
pursuit of cOVey of chickens but
their dog was working badly and |
seemed bent on catching the birds
himself and the result was that they
gave up in disgust and started for the
rem devious without a single bird to
their credit
Chappelle And the Turtle
1t was not long after leaving the
hat put most of the members of the
party in good humor. Some one