Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-04

parents giving it to the messenger on
the east bound coach. After an hour
the relays were hitched to the coaches
and promptly at 3 a. m, the stages
rolled away to the land of civilization
and one to the land of the setting sun.
Our next stop was Dry Turkey
Ranch, or by some called Big Turkey,
which was kept by brother of the
man who kept Running Turkey. In al.
ter years when the completion Of the
X. P. railroad to Fort Harker caused
the abandonment of the ranches on
the Santa Fe trail east of FIT. Zarah
of between Fort Harker and Fort
Zarah and kept about as tough resort
as was to be found between the Mis-
souri, river and the Rockies. Our next
watering place was the famous Mud
Creek and we accordingly started by
moonlight about a. m, and 1t was
nearing the noon hour when we un-
hitched and allowed the stock to Craze.
We had plenty of water In our kegs
and barrels and we made good meal
while the stock had to take a dry
lunch. We resumed our journey in due
time hoping by night drive to reach
the famous Mud creek but we were
destined to be disappointed. We had
now passed over the grassy district
and were moving laboriously through
the deep sandy waste. Suddenly the
temperature began to drop and large
a funnel shaped cloud made its appear
ance in the southwest. Tho wagon
master ordered all wagon covers to be
frightened and all teams to drive IN
close order and be ready to go into
corral at minutes warning. The
orders had scarcely been executed
when the wind struck us In all It's
fury. We managed to get into corral
in good shape and got our stock inside
when the sand storm struck us In
regular avalanche. The storm lasted
for forty minutes and was followed by
a severe hail storm. It finally wasted
its ferocity and the sun came out
bright and clear We then proceeded
to take stock Of our situation and we
found the wagons of the left wing OF
the corral which was on the side next
the storm to be sanded In above the
hubs and on the inside Of the corral
the sand was In some places three
feet deep.
The sun was nearing the western
horizon when we got Strengthened out
and once more started for Mud Creek
We figured that we had about ten or
twelve miles to go to reach the covet-
ed goal, but the fates were against U.S.
The sand had accumulated in great
quantities along the trail and the
round moon was dancing in clear
eastern sky and soon clouds commenc.
ed to accumulate and obscured the
moon and we went into camp for the
night after having moved but three
miles. Our oats and shelled corn was
getting less each day but we gave our
stock good dry feed. We broke
camp early next morning and once
more started toward Mud Creek. We
soon rot out of the sand domes Great
ed by the recent storms and struck
a good strip OF road and our thirsty
stock felt much relieved although they
were suffering for water.
We were now travelling along at a
slow pace having put slow team IN
the lead as fast walking team would
worry the more jaded mules to keep
up. The wagon master rode back and
asked him II I would saddle one of the
extra horses and ride ahead with him
to Mud Creek and we would locate a
camp ground I did SO and accomp.
anied by the train mascot, beautiful
gray hound, we galloped ahead TO-
wards the creek on reaching which
we fell from our saddles and the sight
was enough to make us fall, for the
creek was as dry as a bone. We
parted. my companion riding down and
myself riding up the creek in search
of water holes but our search was
fruitless. I was about one-half mile up
the creek from the trail when l heard
the yelping of wolves and looking up
saw buffalo being chased by a pack
of large gray wolves about twenty IN
number.
had often been on the buffalo
range and had heard father and others
speak of incidents of this character,
but this was my first chance to witness
the. famstringing of a buffalo by q
mack of wolves. will describe the
scene as it actually took place.
The wolves would divide in guards
some in front, compelling the shaggy
monarch of the plains to defend him.
self from that quarter. Those IN the
rear would spring in twos, threes and
fours at the hind legs of the animal
and sink their fangs deep in the flesh
and by repeated attacks would finally
sever the ham strings OF their victim
who would then be at their mercy
When the buffalo would turn around to
fight the enemy in the rear, those IN
front would tackle him in like man.
ner. When first saw the chase
Jumped my horse over the bank into
the bed of the creek which was dry
and hard, thinking that perhaps few
red men might be in the wake OF the
wolves but such did not happen to be
the case. ..e ~
The tired and lacerated beast made
a stand to fight off his enemy sixty
Yards from where myself and horse
we're concealed under the creek bank
which was covered by tall dry grass.
I was in study as what course to per.
eue tn kill the tired and bleeding AMI