El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-03-27

Z OF Is nearly so as II was found prac-
] ticable. Its operation was pune
tuated with many interesting and
/ thrilling incidents. The famous Buff
! Ialo Bill was one OF the first riders
on the line.
a Man of Genius.
This great enterprise was. later on.
followed up by the same man OF nerve
ana genius. W H Russell. then known
as the Napoleon OF the Plains. as he
was indeed the greatest moving spirit
OF the western world He was the
first man to contract to transport the
government supplies across the plains.
he lnaugurated and put in operation
the overland passenger. mail and ex-
press coaches. which remained in op-
Grafton until the steam horse took
thelr places And now, when we ride
IN pullman cars over these great
plains and mountains and behold the
beautiful towns and settlements along
the railroad all the way to the Pacific
coast il does indeed seem ike a
Ia1ry dream TO those Of Us who en-
countered the hardships and dan
gers from the various tribes OF saw
ages snow and wolves. and some OF
whom beheld the countless herds Of
buffalo. deer, antelope and elk roam
ing over the plains and the grizzly
bears, mountain sheep, Jack rabbits.
sage mems and other wild game in the
mountain regions.
Dangers or the West.
While In Washington we were
SHOWN all the sights Of the capital.
Capt RUPEES arrival, the news by
letters we brought and our report
OF the expedition created consider
able excitement about the Normons
and the Indians, and IL was deter
mined TO send out achievements as
early as possible in the spring. The
contract with the old company was
renewed, and 1fr. Russell was anx-
lous TO have Capt Rupe return as gen
eral agent. and so was 7. as I was
to 90 back. but he declined. stating
that he was getting along in years.
had experienced little but hardship
since and during the Mexican war;
that he had a good farm and a grow
ing family, and was well enough fixed
70 stay at home the remainder OF his
days. He said;
Il do not wish 20 discourage you.
but my advice is not to undertake
the same kind Of a trip again. sew
eral times when 7 told you there was
no danger. I had but little hope for
Our safety"
To me this was a sad parting. as
we had been long acquainted. had
spent about a year together in vav
that tried the temper and souls Of
men and we had never had a cross
word or the slightest difference
about anything.
The Return West.
I remained in Washington FOR a
month or more, visited Baltimore,
Philadelphia and New York. aided 1Ir.
Russell in the purchase Of various
Quitting goods. and then went west
with him, stopping at Pittsburg.
where he purchased a large amount
Of log chains and other train equip
ments, and thence to Fort Leaven-
His company having renewed their
contract for the transportation Of
army supplies. and the amount Of
freight being largely increased. two
shipping points were established: one
at Fort Leavenworth. and one at Ne
praslza City. Neb. Mr.. Majors took
up his headquarters at Nebraska City
and NJ. Russell at Fort Leavenworth.
ana then began the great hustle and
sur OF quitting and shipping
Gen Harvey. in command OF large
orcements for the army in Utah.
4e1t Fort LeaVenWorth early in the