Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1911-03-25
THE BLACK HILLS PIONEERS.
A Narrative Of the John Gordon Stock.
ade Party in 1874.

Il
| CONTRIBUTED TO THE CUSTER CHRONICLE
| BY DAVID AIKEN, voNA, COLO.
| CONTINUED from last week.l
came on camp guard from two a. m.
until we moved in the morning, which
was about six. About four o'clock a
fierce wind struck US and laid all tents
to the ground in less than five minutes.
My tent was split up the back end, the
ridgepole lifted from the standards and
the whole mass simply collapsed and
was only kept from blowing away by
some of the side ropes that still held to
the ground. Harry soon crawled out as
the head of the bed occupied by he and
Whit was out in the wind and made
sleep little difficult. Johnny was more
fortunately located as he was under the
poles and tent. OF course we were as
hungry as wolves and there was nothing
cooked save that pot of cold beans.
Harry tried to get Whit and Johnny out
to help get some breakfast before we
started but Johnny insisted that he
could not get out from under the poles
and Whit was determined to try and get
a little sleep despite the fact that his
head was exposed to strong wind that
persistently insisted on removing his
broad brimmed hat from his bald head
and kept him busy holding it on while
he vehemently bersted the uncivil
pranks of elements.
Failing to get them out in time to cook
some break fast before starting Harry and
l raided the mess box and secured few
crusts of frozen bread that had secured
the bottom of the frying pan perhaps for
two or three weeks some of them, but
the only fault we found was the scarcity
ofit. With our keen appetites it was
rich. Taken with the cold beans and
drink of ice water we did fairly well. As
soon as light began to appear in the east
all was packed and made ready for a
move. Whit and Johnny made for the
mess box to get crust, but like poor old
Mother Hubbard, of course, they were
doomed to bitter disappointment and
we're compelled to appease their hunger
by insinuating that Harry and I had
made hogs of ourselves in eating all of
the bread, and as we considered we had
the best end Of the bargain we jocularly
reminded them of the delicacies always
in store for the early bird.
About nine o'clock we had reached
Clusters trail where he had made his ex-
it from the Hills on that memorable ex-
ploring expedition. 1t seemed like get
ting home in finding wagon trail, and
though the track was much wider than
that of our wagons it saved US time in
locating road and lots of heavy work
in clearing it out. Besides, we simply
had to follow this road to reach the point
we had in view, Clusters Park.
These rocks and hills and timber pro-
duced feeling of protection and secur-
ity that can only be realized or under
stood by those having had similar ex-
periences of their own. 1t seemed a
veritable haven of rest, an abundance of
good pine wood, clear running water,
and in the parks and openings which
are found scattered all over the hills, an
abundance of rich yellow grass. At this
time and especially in this particular
spot we felt as if we had in reality land
ed in one of the choicest corners of the
Garden of Eden.
About nine o'clock a. m. we reached
park in beautiful valley through which
a clear mountain stream was coursing.
Here Custer had made his last camp in
the Hills. 1t was our first. They had
undoubtedly left its pleasant shade and
cool running water with regret, while we
had entered it with feeling of relief
and security. AS soon as we halted the
camp guard took position that gave
good view of the surroundings, of the
camp. The oxen were watered and the
guard grazed them near by. This was
our course at noon and was never de-
waited from except that at some camps
two guards we're on duty. At night two
and sometimes four guards were put out.
After resting couple of hours we
moved on, couple going in advance
and couple bringing up the rear. For
most of the afternoon the road led along
valley, running southwest and just in
side of the foothills. We had not tra-
veled far when we came to fresh Indian
trail. They were dragging their tepee
poles and seemed to be quite a band 60
ing in our direction. From the appear.
ance of the trail it might not have been
made more than an hour before but as
there appeared to have been no snow or
rain here recently it was difficult to cor
rectly approximate the time that had
elapsed since their passing, but to all ap-
pearapcs it was fresh. The old oxen
seemed to have gained new life and en-
ergy on reaching this road, for they step
ped off at a pace that had been unknown
to them for six weeks or more. There
was scarcely wind enough to move the
pine bows until about 4 o'clock when a
sharp stiff wind came from the north.
west and in less than ten minutes had
become biting cold, while binding snow
was dancing over the ground and dash.
ing against the rocks driven by howl.
ing screaching wind. was never much
of believer in what many are pleased
to term lucky or unlucky days or signs
of good or back luck, preferring to be-
lieve that judgment and energy was re-
lsnonsihla generally for what Ia uanalll