The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-03
Story of Plains Re-Enacted at
Gage Park
When Cattlemen Try to Herd
Buffalo Bull.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. HOUR
ROpfng Process Did Not Appeal
to Pride of Prairie.
Buffalo in Park Hospital Under
Doctors Care.

The curtains of the past were drawn
apart and glimpse of the old west
disclosed with the prairies and hills
west of Gage park for stage for a
few minutes Friday when an attempt
was made by city officials and c. w.
Sweitzer, a ranchman of the old school
now living at Eads. Colo, to rope and
and tie Roosevelt. the biggest of the
buffalo bulls and king of the herd at
Gage park.
The scene was not enacted for the
benefit of a moving picture concern. 1t
was the real thing. 1t was proof to
those that claim that the blood of the
old west has been pushed back into
oblivion by the forward tear and rush
of civilization that although the flames
of the past have been smOthered few
embers still live.
Here's what happened and the cause.
Roosevelt the big buffalo, has been
suffering for the last week with d pain
full wound near his right eye. The
wound was caused from the eggs of a
peculiar kind Of fly, resulting with the
skin and glands under the animals
eye being affected with screw worms.
Roosevelt Was Obstinate.
After several unsuccessful attempts
to drive the buffalo into a chute about
a week ago the act was accomplished
ard the wound treated. A second at
tempt was made few days later but
Roosevelt was too wise. He would not
enter the chute. In his mad lunges
about the corral he crushed fences az
if they were made Of toothpicks.
1t was Commissioner Porter who fl
nally hit upon a scheme to rope and tie
the animal. With this idea in view
the commissioner sent for Clyde Cor
bett of Valencia and c. w. Sweitzer
who was visiting Corbett. Both men
were the owners of trained cattle
ponies.
Sweitzer, riding Triggerheels. one of
the ponies, was the first to attempt to
rope the buffalo. After chasing the ami
NAL around the lot a couple of times
the ranchman made beautiful throw.
The loop caught the animal around
one horn and the nose.
Roosevelt, puzzled at the trick that
was new to him, stopped. The king of
the prairies eyed the man and horse
for a moment. his head swinging. Then
with a below that seemed to shake
the ground-lunged to the full length of
the rope. Triggerheels ''braced." SWEET
ger clinging to the saddle like fly.
dozen times the big bull lunged and
every time the plucky little pony
''braced'' and was pulled several yards
by the animal, the pony's front hoOfs
blowing up the earth. For several min
utes the struggle between the doughty
Triggerheels and the big bull which
was more tndn TWICE UHe pOly WEIGHT
continued. The buffalo started through
the small pond in the buffalo pasture
and the saddle which was fastened to
the pony began to slip over the animals
head.
Was Wild Chase.
Sweitzer was jerked from the saddle
as it was pulled over the pony's head
by another wild lunge of the buffalo.
With a below of triumph Roosevelt
floundered through the pond. dragging
the saddle and bride which had been
raked from the pony's head. Finally
the rope became entangled about a
tree. In answer to a below from one