Graham guardian., 1908-07-24
A Millionaire Cowboy

OF the most picturesque anu ho
markable characters that ever
straddled bucking mustang or
fred a shot on the shores OF the
Rio Grande.
Lacking several years of being
80 this rough rider of the border,
who commenced without a dollar,
now owns more than one we'll
stocked ranch, gold mine in Mex
lco and reputation for courage
and daring that no man is bold
enough to dispute. Before he per-
formed his last daring feat OF
storming a Mexican jail, hammer
ing down the doors and liberating
two of his fence riders, who he
declared were being blackmailed,
his reputation for audaoity was
sufficient Now the MeXicans give
him plenty of room when be rides
into the little town near one OF his
ranches.
He first became noted and favor
ably known through his bold and
successful efforts in running down
and breaking up bands of cattle
thieves that infested the Texas
border and the Zona Libre of Old
Mexico. While in the employ OF
the White Rock Cattle Company, a
band of outlaws led by the motor
ious MARTINEZ corralled fiue
bunch of steers that was en- route
from Mexico to a Texas ranch.
The bandits had pretended TO be
rurales and custom guards, aGd
they bad the herd boss so oadly
scared that he was about to quit
and let them have the cattle.
A balf dozen well-armed Ameri-
can cowboys sat on their ponies
watching the affair, and not thor.
oughiy understanding the business,
they were al loss as to know how
to act. RallstoDe WAS 10 the lead
and ignorant Of the tend Of
affairs behind. He had seen the
strangers and he suspected that
they were characters worth watch
ing, and he no sooner heard from
one Of the men who had galloped
to his side that they were trying
10 take the herd than he became
convinced that they were thieves.
Whirling about he galloped to
the rear. With the bride reins
between his teeth and blaze OF
fire and. hot bullets pouring from
revolver in each hand, he rode
straight at the cattle thieves. The
boys, inspired by Rallstone's
bravery, raised wild yell and
drawing their guns, eagerly joined
in the fray.
Astounded and panic stricken
by this sudden turn In affairs, the
bandits fled, leaving half dozen
of their comrades hors de combat.
When the herd was safely de.
livered at the Texas ranch and the
owners had been informed of
Rallstone's conduct, they quickly
realized that they had discovered
just the man they needed to man.
age the company affairs in the
dangerous zone. His wages were
raised and in u short time he be,
came part owner and IN u posi-.
ton to share profits in the money
concern.
Rallstone had worked for the
company for about two years, and
be was on the high road of fortune,
when be suddenly found some
thing coming his way which doub-
led and trebled his opportunities
tor making money.
A gold mining company owning
hne property at Ora, in Old Mex
co, had been forced to abandon (
It's works and suspend operations I
through sheer fear. The location /,
Of the mine is in far-away, desu- {
late region, and the mountains
Leem with outlaws and desperate |
characters of various nationalties.
lhe lead was rich in free milling !
gold and ,he company had erected |
fve-stamp quartz mill, which f
vas in good running order.
Rallstonc fairly jumped at the i
,hance the owners of the Sleeping /
Beauty offered him, They simply e
aid: "You just go down there, 6
'ack, and take hold of the propo- h
ition as if it were your own, and
un it to suit yourself and divide 4
he profits. Just cut the output 4
n the middle and give us one g
lice, and good luck to you" q
Railstone's reputation had pre-
eded him 10 the mining camp, aud
9 has had very little trouble.
hough the gold-bearing vein is n
hin it has proved to be one of the ie
chest ever found in the country. 81
his young man in the course of Il q,
wv years has taken a big fortune q
ON the Sleeping Beauty, which =,
e has wisely invested in grazing fr
Inds and high grade cattle. IN
The peculiar features connected tu
ith Mr., Rallstone's marriage a Il
lort time ago have brought him az
} much notoriety that it is doubt. m
| whether the president or the III
ng of England walking the Of
reefs of San Antonio would pa
cate more excitement or deeper lh
terest than this same millionaire GA
wboy. pr