Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1911-01-14
THE BLACK HILLS PIONEERS.
A Narrative of the John Gordon Stock
ade Party in 1874.

A Narrative OF the John Gordon Stock
ade Party in 1874.
CONTRIBUTED TO THE CUSTER CHRONICLE
BY DAVID AKIN.
[Continued from last week.l
After having completed all purchases
and made all preparations that we could
think of, proposed to get one of our
yoke of oxen while the rest of the mess
finished loading the wagon, for Harry
and were extremely anxious to get out
to our permanent camp where several
had already gone. We wanted to spend
few days in camp and get little expe-
rience in roughing it before commencing
our real journey. We had purchased
two yoke of oxen. One yoke weighed
about 5000 pounds, and according to
the man we bought them of they were
the best broke yoke of oxen in the
country. The young man actually cried
as he told of their good qualities and
parted with them.
1t was this yoke of oxen l was going
after. They were loose in the yard so l
proceeded to yoke them. had never
put yoke on an OK alone before and of
course was little green and awkward,
and / am sure the oxen discovered it
as soon as did. Their former owner
had said, 'just put the yoke on one and
the other will Immediately come to his
place." This accomplished with con-
siderable difficulty, but they did not
seem in the least anxious to be yoked
nor did they come to their places as l
had expected, but seemed determined
to be on the wrong side and thought
that fellow had been giving US consider
able taffy with his tears. But finally
succeeded in getting them yoked.
l opened the gate, stepped into the
street, waved the whip and bade them
come on, but they seemed quite out of
patience and pushed and jostled each
other around and would scarcely come
at all. When said "gee" they were
more apt to "haw." So when finally
got them into the street thought to try
another tactic, by commanding from the
rear. had no sooner taken that subor-
dinate position and given them tap
with the whip than, they struck out on a
run. was pretty good on foot and for
about hundred yards gave them hard
chase and with the aid of a policeman
headed them into cellar that was be-
ing excavated at the time. was about
at the end of my resources and my en-
thusiasm for OK driving hacl got quite a
back-set, while my opinion regarding
the truth and veracity of the man we
bought them of was of the most dam
aging nature. 1t was quite evident that
| could not drive them and stay behind
as could not run fast enough to keep
in commanding distance and as for walk
ing at their heads, why they seemed on
the point of charging me at any moment
instead of obeying orders. They now
seemed thoroughly aroused and stood
glaring around as if contemplating an
other charge. l would have been but
little surprised had they broke through
the Gordon of teams, policemen and
tenderfeet that surrounded them and
left for parts unknown. My opinion of
them was similar to that entertained by
the old lady regarding her COW, when
informed by wag that the COW had
chewed up the grindstone. She unhesi-
tatingly declared, Il expected it,"
But before had time to try any other
maneuvers some one sang out: you've
got them oxen yoked wrong" 1t was
my partner, Whit, broad.shouldered,
round-faced and wearing a broad-brim-
med hat. simply handed the whip to
Whit and remarked as 1 did so, that
there were other things could do better
than OK driving, and l am thoroughly
convinced from the expression on Whit's
face that he believed l was telling the
truth. We changed them-or rather
Whit. did, putting the near one on the
off side and they were all right and
proved to be as good as recommended.
Harry and / drove them out to camp
and l believe it was about the only
driving either of us did on the trip
The camp was located near a small
lake where we had wood, water and feed
ia abundance. There were three or four
other outfits in camp when we pulled in
and being near supper time each mess
had blazing fire outside their tents,
while frying-pans and cofee-pots were
being put on the Goals or hung on pole
over the fire. The oxen were feeding
nearby while one of the campers were
herding them. We soon had our oxen
out with the rest and fire kindled sim
liar to the rest, for We were "new re-
cruits" and had resolved to learn from
observation, as we did not wish to be
considered tenderfeet and we certainly
would have been, if we had commenced
asking questions regarding ordinary
camp life.
Consequently our fire was built and
coffe-pot and frying-pan adjusted, as
nearly as we could observe, in accord
ance with the regulation rule. But now
wa "a ma tn q mint whara ua could NOT