Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-10
The End of the Texas Trail
Continue tpmpo
Continued from page g

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rom page
between the Platte and the Republican, an
ominous shape uprose like magic from below
the horizon balloon shaped cloud of an
ashen gray, that, from reflection of the light
ming or other cause, had a sort of phosphores-
cent glow that outlined its form against the
inky background and made plain to our eyes
as the hand held before ones face that we con-
fronted an approaching cyclone.
Nearing us it ceItcinly was at terrific speed
for it grew and grew as we looked till its broad
dome stood half up to the zenith, while its
narrow tail lashing viciously about near
and often apparently on the earth.
On it came, head for US, for a space of
perhaps four minutes-until / sure any
onlooker who had a prayer loose about him
was not idle And perhaps (who knows3 one
or another such appeal prevailed: for just as
it seemed no earthly power could save us, off
sight.
Casting Up the Damage
TT was near midnight before the waters began
to fall, and morning before the house was
freed of them. And when, about eight o'clock,
horses were brought US, we had to wade and
swim them about quarter of mile to reach
the dry uplands.
From the roof of the hotel we could see that
even the trail herds were badly scattered and
my herd of un-trail-broke wild beef steers were
probably running yet somewhere
But when / got out to the bench land where
/ had left them, there they were, not a single
one missing. This to my infinite surprise, for
usually ordinary thunder storm will drift
beef herds more or less, if not actually SIAM
pede them. The reason was quickly explained:
the storm had descended on them SO suddenly
and with such extraordinary violence that they
were stunned into immobility.
Ivy fhaHy bod hoo n, 1Hy hone
the very center of the waterspout; for the
boys told me the rain fell in such solid sheets
that they nearly smothered, drowned, while
mounted and sitting their saddles about the
torrents that they had to hold their hands in
shape of an inverted cup above nose and
mouth to get their breath
Miles of the U. p track were destroyed,
which laid us up for three days awaiting re-
pairs.
The first two days the little village was
quiet, trailmen out punching and separating
their herds, townsmen taking stock of their
losses.
Opening of the Human Floodsates
PUT the third day hell popped good and
plenty. Tempers were SO fiery and feelings
tindery that it seemed the recent violence
of the very elements themselves had got into
mems veins and made them bent to destroy
and to kill. All day long street and saloon
swarmed with shouting, quarreling, shooting,
which punchers, owners, and peace officers were
alike poweress to control
About noon the town marshal and several
deputies made bold try to quell the turmoil
and then had to mount and ride for their
lives, leaving two of Hunter & Evans men dead
in front of the Cowboys Rest and string of
wounded along the street.
This incident stilled the worst of the tumult
for two or three hours; for many took up pur-
suit of the marshal, while the rest were for a
time content to talk over quietly the virtues
of the departed in the intervals between
quadrille sets-for of course the dancing went
on uninterrupted.
Toward evening, notwithstanding the orgy
had again resumed fast and furious pace,
FAINT, Mayberry, and myself were tempted to
join the crowd in the Cowboys Rest, tempted
by glimpses of scene caught from our perch
on a corner of the depot platform opposite.
That is blamed funny" remarked May
berry. Come along over and let's see her
good. We're no more liable to get loaded
there than anywhere else"
So over we went.
The Rest belied its name sadly; for rest
was about the only thing Jim Tucker was not
prepared to furnish his wild and woolly pa
irons Who entered there left coin behind
and was lucky if he left no more. Stepping
within the door, rude pine bar on the right