The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1910-01-27

locked in a room IN the hotel. He broke a
window before morning and promptly paid for
Il by McDonald's request
Removing 10 Hardeman county was the
only thing that saved Bill Mcdonald from be
ing drafted into Official service where he was.
In the counties bordering on Indian territory
and up through the Panhandle a man had to
stand pat" whatever HIS hand and hold his
own by strength OF arm and quickness OF
trigger. Cow thieves and cutthroats abounded.
Ohlcials often worked IN accord with them or
were afraid to prosecute. The man who would
neither cooperate with outlaws nor condone
their ~offenses was already on the ground and
would presently be In the field.
Hardeman county had lately been organ
tied and the settlers were eowmen. cowboys
and gamblers-lawless enough themselves
and another element. which pretended TO be
these things. but IN realty we're outlaws, pure
and simple, The latter lived chiefly on the
herds. driving on horses and cattle and hiding
them In remote and inaccessible places. often
the cattle were butchered. their hides. which
were marked with brand and earmarks. de.
stroyed TO avoid identification and the meat
sold. Men who did these things were known
well enough. but went unapprehended for the
reasons named. In certain sections Of the
territory itself and IN No-man's Land "a piece
Of disputed ground lying 10 the north Of the
Panhandle. now a part OF Oklahomal matters
NtlH even Mbief. IN Aaeat NlaNNt AANIG was
hardly a samblance Of law.
It was IN 1886 that BIZ Mcdonald disposed
Of his lumber interests in Wichita Falls, re-
invested IN cattle and set out once more for
the still farther west. lie had fled some
school land on Wanderers creek In Hardeman
county. about four miles from where the town
OF Quanah now stands. the heart Of what was
then the wilderness. He did not go there i'm
mediately. however; he conducted for a brief
time a lumber business at Harold. Willbarger
county-R circumstance hardly worth men
tioning save for an incident OF another sort
which occurred at this place and period. Nc
Donald, whose reputation as a man OF nerve
had travelled to Harold. was one night called
upon by Ranger Lieut. Sam Plat 10 assist him
IN handling a gang OF outlaws. known as tho
Broken hand. that infested that nelghborhoOd.
The Brookens had ridden into Harold and
were running things pretty much IN their own
way. Plat and Mcdonald promptly bore down
upon them and a running fight enaued as the
Brookens retroated. About 100 shots were
fred altogether. but n was dark and the range
too great for accuracy. Nothing was accom-.
plished. but the event marked the beginning
OF a warfare between Bni Mcdonald and a
band OF outthroRts, the end OF which would
be history. II was soon after this FIRST Skin.
mish that Mcdonald sold out his business IN
Harold and set out for HIS Hardeman county
ranch. As on his former migration. he drove
his cattle 10 the new land and after the FIRST
hard days drive oamped NJ nightfall IN a
pleasant spot where grass was plentiful and
water was handy.
Tho next morning. when preparations for
an early start we're under Roadway. It was
suddenly discovered that four OF the best
horses and a fine Newfoundland dog were
missing. Two OF the horses were found astray,
evidently having broken loots from their cap
tors. II was further discovered that the
Broken band had a rendezvous IN what was
known as the Cedar Brakes, a stretch OF rough
country, denHely covered with scrubby cedar.
located about ~ miles TO the southwestward
Mcdonald naturally felt that Il was now his
turn 70 move again In tho Broken game. but
n did not seem expedient to stop the Journey
with the herd and undertake the move Just
then, 30, hiding his time. he pushed on TO his
land on Wanderers creek. where he estab.
llShed his ranch. fenced his property. built a
hebitation for himself and tho wife who was
always ready TO follow him into the wilder
ness. then promptly nc rode over 10 Margaret
az that time the county seat ana asked sheriff
Jim Aliey-a good man with his hands over.
full-to appoint him deputy, that he might be.
gin the work which clearly must be done in
that country before II could become a proper
habitauon for white men" The commission
was readily granted and from that appoint