The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1911-02-24
Hard Time for Two Little BOYS.

Hard Time for Two Little Boys.
Valentine, Neb., Feb. Especial to
The News: The Alternately twins,
who rode from Oklahoma to New York
City, have nothing over on Cyrus and
Byron Oowell of this county, two small
youngsters aged II and ~ years, who
arrived here late Saturday night, after
having ridden $50 miles in about three
days and spending two nights out on
the open prairie with nothing for q
bed except a saddle blanket apiece,
and no companions except the wander
ing coyote.
About year ago complaint was
filed AGAINST Thomas Dowell, a ranch
man living near Mullen, Neb., in the
southern part of this county, for not
sending his two boys to school. lie
was arrested on this charge and the
boys and their father were brought to
town The boys told most pitiful
story of abuse, and how they were
made to herd cattle all day, with only
cold meals, while the father went in
TO warm food, and also how they were
treatment
On promise of sending the boys to
school and treating them well, the
| father was released and given custody
| of his children. But once more at
| home the overwork and abuse was
continued The boys were forced to
get up at and 4 o'clock in the morn
ing and work all day herding cattle,
and far into the night, even after the
hired men We're all abed. The little
fellows have been both doing mems
work and more.
Caught Once, Taken Back.
During the summer the little chaps
tried to run away, but were caught be
fore they could make good their es'
cape, But last Sunday, a week ago
they decided to make another attempt
and leaving their herd at noon, they
started south, and once they spied
their father across a valley and whip
ped up their horses into run and fol
several miles there was hot chase as
the father gave pursuit but failed tC
catch them, as the little fellows kept
up the pace until their horses almost
dropped from exhaustion. That night
the boys made their bed on the prai
rie. Asked if they got cold during tho
night, they answered, Yes, it wa!
pretty cold all right"
The next day they arrived at Null
len. Neb., having taken circuitou'
route for fear of meeting some on'
who might make them go back t.
their father. From Mullen they rod
to Heckley, Neb., and from there
across country to Valentine, distance
of seventy.five miles through the SAM
hills. That night they again campe'
in the open prairie, but managed t
find haystack to sleep in, where the
said they managed to keep warmer
On the rest of the journey they wer
b sheltered and directed on the way b
i sympathetic ranchmen.
Upon arriving in Valentine, the
> put their horses, which were now i
5 pretty bad shape, in a livery barn an
started out to find County Judge Quiz
icy and County Attorney Tucker VIII
. had looked after their needs a yea
y ago. Suspicious and fearful, they col
tinued their search for the men wh
had helped them before, and while
j. local restaurant they saw the ma
l. shall come in and lodged out in rel
ular panic of fear when they saw HI
star.
u Don't Live; Just Stay"
II Finally some one located Attorne
y Tucker for them and he took them
charge and that night the little char
N slept in q warm bed at the hotel. T
D. day Attorney Tucker fitted them Of
u with new clothes complete. Some OF
v at the hotel asked the boys whel
y their home was and they said, "N
W haven't any"
y but where do you live?"
ST I'VE don't live, we just stay" The
IL answered,
N The two little fellows are unusual
IL bright and sturdy in spite OF all Il
hard knocks they have had to stal
for, and they look on their adventu
simply as a matter of course. Until
4" most youngsters, they are very an
" ious to go TO school, having only ;
- tended a school for a couple of wee
90 in all their life, the rest of the tin
" having had TO herd cattle.
q Their other desire is that they wOl
=! have to return to their father, a
Vi they are content in the assurance tn
- they will not have to. They we
. started into school here today, I
- poor little chaps not even knowi
Nv their letters, and Attorney Tuck
says they will be looked after a
kept in school from now on, and tn
m their father will be made to pay th'
es way, as he is we'll fixed and there
ot no excuse for such actions on his pa
- Dakota Solons Slaughter Bills.
&c. Pierre, S. D., Feb. Especial