, 1915-12-02
A. n. HUSTON

u coth Ahblll -,
le4O, at Fulton, Missouri. His
father was from Pennsylvania, bis
mother from Kentucky. He came
west from st. Joseph, Mo, in 1857
under Major Dripps, starting as
camp-tender but by the time the
expedition had reached Nebraska
proved himself an expert shot and
natural hunter, though only sew
enteen. years of age. The regular
hunter for the outfit was put at
the camp work and Huston made
the hunter for the party. One of
his first experiences on this Job
was the capturing of a young buff
falo calf for the Majors wife,
which caused the stampede of one
OF the Majors mules and came
very near wrecking things gener-
ally. He went out, mounted on a
Spanish mule, assisted by one of
the men similarly mounted. They
ran the buffalo herd close to
where the wagons were corralled
for the evening, and cut in be-
tween a calf and it's mother, head
ing it for the wagon corral. Much
to the amusement of the party the
calf took after the mule ridden by
Mr.. Huston's helper. The calf,
thinking it was his mother, stayed
close TO the mules heels, causing
the mule to stampede. Round and
round went the mule and calf
through the wagons and oxen,
which continued until the calf
was played out and caught.
Proving his ability with the ri
he which he learned to use in
Missouri in the early day. he was
given the job of hunting for the
then Overland Stage route, with
headquarters at Old Virginia
Dale He hunted for some 400
miles of this route, which covered
the territory from Rock river to
Bitter creek. His mission was the
supplying of meat to feed the
passengers, freighters and stage
hands over that big scope of coun-
try and which at that time was
heavily travelled. He was consid-
cred one Of the best shots in the
west. Jim" Baker, one of the
first hunters and trappers of the
Northwest and universally known,
claimed Huston was the one crack
game shot of the world, excepting
none. His accurate aim and abil-
ity with a rifle commanded the
respect of the Indians, among
whom he was greatly feared. His
shooting quality on more than
one occasion saved the lives of
men in tight places by animals.
Mr.. Huston moved his hunting
headquarters from Virginia Dale
at a time when he decided the In
dians were getting too thick. The
man who succeeded him at that
point was killed two days later,
while skinning an antelope on his
first hunt out, The Indians, six
in number, slipped up behind him
and punctured him with an arrow,
entering just beside the backbone,
passing through the lung, the
point barely piercing the skin on
his chest. He mounted his horse
and rode the five miles back to
the Dale and told his story before
they took him from the saddle,
being escorted by the Indians,
who could have finished him up
at any time but they admired his
bravery, specializing on how long
he could ride, and finally letting
him get away. DIR. Finfrock OF
Fort Collins was sent for, who re-
moved the arrow, but the man
died in one hour.
While hunting one time with q
band of Cheyenne Indians with
whom Huston had became quite
friendly, he gained a gun reputa'
ton that became tradition with
that tribe. He and a young buck
we're scouting around for noun.
tain sheep and discovered a noun.
tain lion, which was visible only
by the rump and tail hanging
over the edge of a rock. While
Mr. Lion was intently watchinl