Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-10-21
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DAGES of almost forgotten episodes
Of the old cattle days in Montana
i are recalled to pioneers with the
death OF Sim Roberts in Butte.
ROBERTS. a man Of bitter enemies n
warm friends. was an outstanding figure
in stockmen's annals. Legends have
grown up about him, making 1t diff
cult to get a true picture OF the man.
Roberts came into this country from
Texas, following the cattle trails to the
north with some Of the early herds
brought overland as the danger from In
dian raids became less. Little is known
OF his early life except that a native of
east Texas. he early drifted into the great
cattle country in the western part OF
the state where he learned thoroughly
the hard life OF the plains and came to
n COWS and men.
Still a young man when he came to
Montana about 1878, his career in Texas
had been that OF the usual hardy. en-
during cowboy who knew how to shoot
and ride and there is no evidence OF his
being involved In any ARRAYS there, al
though his later troubles induced ru-
mors OF a concealed past.
In Montana, he was early employed by
the Montana Cattle company, known by
Its brand as the Seventy-Nine. whose
principal owner was John D.. Murphy OF
Helena. At that time Bill Roberts, Sims
brother, was foreman or the outfit.
Bill Roberts was killed by a cowboy
named Ed Kinney who, in turn, was
killed by Sin Roberts.
After the death OF his brother. Sim
Roberts succeeded to the position OF FORE
man. About this time. the headquarters
of the company was transferred to The
Big Coulee country, south Of the Mussel-
shell. The range Of the company was
from the Crazy mountains east through
the Lake Basin country and at times as
far as the Big Bend OF the Musselshell.
Harry B. Drum, register OF the Billings
land office, was q hand with the Seventy
Nine IN the spring OF 1881 while Roberts
vas still foreman for the company and
knew him well during the e few
years. Roberts was without a peer in
the whole northwest in his knowledge
of the range and his ability to handle a
big outfit. according to Mr.. Drum. He
could trail q herd with the least effort
n disturbance than any OF the range
men.
Roberts knew how to handle men and
how to get the most work out Of them
He was a foreman who led out, doing
more work than any Of his subalterns.
He was a good roper and a good rider, ar
all-around hand. He was affable and
friendly and a man who could always be
depended upon to do what he said.
Nerve UnquestiOned
No one ever questioned Sim Roberts
nerve and no one ever bluffed him. He
was especially cool in time of danger and
knew how to meet every situation. And
in spite of his reputation as a dangerous
man n a killer, he seldom II ever pro-
voked trouble himself. He was O crack
shot, firing with his left hand. He could
fan the hammer and knew all the tricks
OF an expert gunman.
As an instance of the nerve and fear
lessness of Roberts. Mr.. Drum tells of an
incident while they were moving herd on
the American Fork. One of the COWS
had calved IN the trail but the calf had
been abandoned to keep the COW up with
the herd. At night, the COW was tied
down and the next morning Roberts
loosened her to throw her into the herd
Getting on her feet, the animal charged
him while he was on the ground n his
horse. becoming frightened, jumped away
Most men caught in such a predicameni
would have sought doubtful safety In
flight but Roberts dropped on his knees
and fired cody and accurately at the
charging animal which fell SO close tc
Roberts that he could reach out anc
touch its horns with his hand.
Mr.. Drum tells another incident which
happened about the same time. The mer
were working in the corral and In some
roptng, Roberts horse was caught of
balance and Roberts was flung heavily
on his head and was stunned for a few
minutes A man whom they calico
Suffering" Tom Maxwell, ran to the
house to assure Roberts wife that hi
was not harmed Sim f-fell on his VIII
what-do-you-call-it, his wh-what-do.
you-call-it,h his h-head. But he ain
hurt" Maxwell reported.
While with the Seventy-Nine, Roberts
had married Miss Ada Bostwick, the
daughter Of a pioneer Bozeman family
Mrs. Roberts was herself an expert ride