Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-05-02
The Remaking
Of "Bugs" Ruggles
By Ray Brock.

10y itaf ipiNNhs
Finger prints are objective signs
of identity and students of crimi-
nology consider the evidence derived
from these prints paramount to all
other evidence. But, some folks seem
to emit from an unknown source or
center thoughts and actions almost as
Characteristic as finger prints; queer
or quaint, according to ones point
of view. Maybe the brain of one is
larger or the quality better in one
than in another-equality of birth
being spiritual rather than physical.
The gray matter of one may keep
it's color under any stress or strain,
while the gray matter of another
may change to blue by the alchemy
of near or real adversities. An action
germ that might be called tempera-
ment by the brain bugologists is of
ten put forward as being responsible
for many bad perspectives or off
color mental pictures.
Temperament may make bad actors
and most cowpunchers are tempera-
mental cusses, Bugs Ruggles fall
ing down to c on his report card,
but getting A for temperament and
ornament.
| first met Bugs down in the
Bridger country. His topography was
rough and angular with the usual
features that belong to the saddle
clan. Although each buckaroo has
specific mark and surrounding aura
and some slight difference in orna-
mentation. Ny friend Bugs was
five feet ten inches tall, weight
around one hundred and seventy
pounds when on active duty, rather
spare, square shoulders little
bumped up. His legs were good ex-
cept bowed a trifle. No one called
him handsome, as his face was de-
void of a redeeming feature, but
his piercing steel-blue eyes contrasted
we'll with his dry tanned skin, and
his general make up spelled only
Bugs" Ruggles, cowpuncher, finger
prints and ALL
A mans business in the Yellow
stone country at that time was his
business alone. Well organized bands
of rustlers were fighting in defense
of what they held to be their own.
Oftentimes the gang leaders differed
as to the ownership Of critter or
so. A man would be found dead on
the range and someone would wonder
where "Slick Bill or Spanish joe
were spending their time. A visit to
the "Hole in the Wall" might find
them registered there Few men had
a key to this criminal sanctuary.
saw little Of Bugs Ruggles, but
Doc Hill, who had just come out
from some eastern city to act as doc
tor for a coal company, locked horns
18th Bugs" several times. Doc Hill
was an easy mark. ! suspect that he
is still on many sucker lists. If alive
The transition of a part Of an Indian
Reservation into homestead lands dis
turbs the peace of the Indians ant
brings in lot of drifters and nestors
of various temperaments. Wher
Bugs" Ruggles settled on Bluewat
err creek, he put up small sod shack
near the ford. Bridges were scarce
then He was soon at work on the
range for others and, some said, fol
himself; finding time to run int
town now and then to do little
painting. He also put a rickety pole
bridge across the creek.
Doc Hill told me that Bugs came
very near cashing in one night after
trip to town. 1t seems that a bunch
of boys were riding home in a ligh'
spring wagon drawn by span O.
bronchs. Bugs" was driving and al
usual, pounding the ponies on the tail
The road was frozen and humpy
When they reached the bridge owe
Bluewater creek they. all went of
the side and on to the sharp ice il
the creek Bugs" hit on his face
Doc Hill says he cut an artery owe
the cheek bone. / think he called |
the malar bone. And a hole in tina
bone he spoke of as infra-orhita
something. Anyway it was an incl
below the eye and Doc said the bleed
ing just would not stop by pres
sure, heat or cold; the artery pull
ing back into the hold in the bone
but squirting little red blood wit
each pulse beat So there by TIL
candle light, in the stuffy sod hu
near the bridge, Doc Hill, surrounds
by trio Of souzed COW punchers am
one eyed Indian, all offering advice
whitfield down match and plugge
the hold in the bone while Bugs
gritted his fine teeth and sobered II
bit, although breathing fast wit
a. sigh now and then and lookin,
very pale. Doc said he lost plent
blood.
After this little accident Bugs