Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1923-02-23
Overland Trip Abounded
In Thrills In The Sixties

Ico" " CIOoe ~. SuiSA bAhua
made II treacherous.
Men had commercialised this
danger. For fifteen dollars. men
would hitch ten or twelve yoke Of
oxen to the wagon and after the
wagon bed had been raised as high
as possible, draw the wagon across.
In this way. II one yoke of oxen was
struggling with the sand. nearly all
the rest would be on safe footing.
Some OF the drivers preferred to
make II raft instead of paying fifteen
dollars. but this was seldom sue
cessful as they nearly always had to
have assistance besides getting their
goods wet After three or four days
all the wagons had crossed and the
train was again winding its way to-
ward the gold excitement.
In 4 few days they came to the
extreme outposts OF civilization. Ad-
joining this was a country filled
with Indians who spent most OF the
time on the war path. According
to government order. . party Of no
less than $50 wagons would be al
lowed to enter this territory and all
men should be heavily armed, be-
sides having a large supply of emer-
gency ammunition.
As the train advanced. the occu-
pants OF the wagons could see the
charred ruins OF settlers cabins and
stockades which the early pioneers
had built and had paid the price for
trying to extend civilization.
As young Louis was the only child
in the party and as there were no
women along to help entertain him.
he passed his time riding with the
different drivers. There was one
among them whom he liked to tease.
This driver had = mule team which
wasn't well broken and would shy
at things. One day while the boy
was teasing the driver. the team be-
came scared. But that did not
bother young Louis. He kept up his
torments. distractinE the attention
Of his companion until the mules
got beyond management They sud
denly wheeled around and broke .
tongue. That ended many OF the
privileges allowed the boy.
In a short time the fortune seek
ers came to the Black hills. Az
they travelled along they began hear
ing \ whirring noise which soon be-
came thunderous. 1t was q large
herd of buffaios going to water.
There were thousands of them and
the earth fairly trembied. In that
country the antelope and the deer
were almost as plentiful AS the
buffalo and venison formed the chief
source OF the meat supply.
4 As the wagons neared a warning
Indian tribe. the men called a coun-
ell and appointed a wagon boss. He
could speak the language. He i'm.
pressed upon the men the danger in
struggling behind the train and told
them for safety they must keep
their wagons close together.
I One night while the train was
camping the men were startled by a
shot fired. Every one looked In the
direction OF the re,or, and saw six
Indians approaching. As they came
they kept firing into the mir which
meant they were friendly. One OF
: the white men. In his excitemen n,
rushed for his gun and Il was only
the prompt action OF two Of his
companions that prevented him from
firing II at the Indians. Had he
done so. It would have probably
meant massacre. as the wagons
had scattered in camping.
After crossing over n river into q
spacious valley the train had III
second thrill. From all sides. In.
dians came toward the wagons and
with them came their dogs. yelpins
and barking. These red men were
friendly To the white people and
wanted to trade buffalo robes for
sugar. tobacco. and especially the
many bright eoiorcd shirts which
the travellers wore.
When night came. the boss