Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-04-18
all surprising under the circum.

bIdLCe5. y l. HH HV
Think that few men have had moro
interesting and exciting experiences
with big game than Major Ross, yet
he will not talk about them, for he
is a very modest man. totally unaware
of his own sterling qualities. His
work carries him continually among
the denizens Of forest and plain, and
few men know the habits and traits
Of the wild game in Natures Zoo"
better han Ross.
l feel rather like telling tales out of
school by ~narrating the following lit
tie story of Ross. 1t is so typical of
the great. big, boyish heart of the
man., that l can not refrain from tell
ing it.
1t SO happened that Ross %foregath-
cred with three other Americans in
Nairobi to celebrate independence
day. They had a very lively dinner,
and afterward proceeded to loose off
steam by firing off a number Of crack
ers and rockets. firing Of this tame
pastime, they started in to turn Mai
robi into a wild West town by
shooting out the street lamps from the
veranda of the hotel. This sport soon
palled, and they went for a walk down
town with the object of seeking new
fields of enjoyment. They happened
to pas the bank n saw the win
dow open, and a Parsee clerk working
at a ledger under a light.
The temptation was too strong for
Ross and his three American compan-
ions. They lit ONE crackers and
threw them into the bank building
through the open window. The clerk
mistook them for bombs and rushed
out, shouting Murder" The negro
constable on the beat below blew his
whistle for help, and the barracks be-
ing close at hand, soon had some 20
dusky policemen respond to the
alarm call. In the general mix-up,
and TO avoid arrest for their prank.
Ross and his companions roughly han
died the policemen and put them to
flight.
happened to be in command Of the
police at Nairobi, and soon came upon
the scene in answer to a telephone
call. arrested the four practical jok-
ers for disturbing the peace" and
resisting a police officer in the exc
cution of his duty" They were all
released on bail, and subsequently
stood their trial before the sessions
judge n a white jury.
The jury, in the face of the weight
Of evidence, brought in a verdict of
not guilty, and all were acquitted.
Ross made an ample apology to all
concerned for his share in the es-
capade, and laughingly told me that
he thought it pretty hard that a good
American could not enjoy his national
holiday without being arrested.
When Colonel Roosevelt visited
East Africa he met Major Ross, and
the two men found much in
At the banquet given in Nairobi to the
e4-president, Major Ross was selected
to present a rh~inoceros-foot box to
the distinguished visitor as a token of
regard from the Americans in the
colony. In a short speech at the pre-
SENSATION, Major Ross, to every ones
keen delight and particularly that OF
Colonel Roosevelt, repeatedly referred
to the famous hunter as Colonel
Rosenfelt." In his reply the colonel
referred to h many years Major
Ross had spent in America and par.
ticularly in the west, saying that they
were both pretty good Rocky noun.
tain men"
1t Is somewhat surprising to think
how this man of many weird expert.
ences and continuous adventure has
settled down to his official life in
East Africa. See him in his spotless
white duck government uniform with
his breast glittering with his four or.
ders and medals, mi you will hard.
ly credit that this is the man whose
reckless daring and quick-handed met
ing out of justice in the Boer war set
all the British army talking.
See him as l have seer him, clad
in evening dress at a government
house function, smoking a short pipe,
and o may laugh for a moment be-
cause he looks like a duck out of wa
ter. But you will not laugh long. for
you will quickly recognize that here
is a MAN. 1t is because he is pre-
eminently a man that he is. leader
among men.
The spirit Of the rover of the plains
and the seeker after adventure is
strong within him, and it is plain to
the naked eye. He is no social mimic
Of civilized customs. He is not pol.
ished, his hands. are not manicured,
his face is not massaged, his clothes
are anything but fashionable, but he
r not, and after a few minutes
conversation with him you do not
care either.
Again, see him playing with chill
dren, as / have seen him, laughing
n happy, and you will begin to un-
derstand hat though a man may be
quick to snuff out a life when it is
necessary, this does not imply that he
is heartless or cruel. No man who can
look at Ross when he Is playing with
his little children friends, can be
cruel or heartless.
But Ross will tell you thai it is
sometimes imperative to carry a gun.
and If you do so it is essential that
you a shoot straight and be quicker
on the trigger than the other man. AS
he once naively told me, Shoot
quick and straight. The last man in
gets the full service and won't want
no other"
One day the restless spirit within
his gaunt, tall, weather-beaten frame
81 q - g.