The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-02-02
Captain James Williams, Leader of V%igilantes, Entered
Stock Business With Colonel Galloway After Outlawry
Ceased in. Territory; Ranch Life in Ruby Valley in sos

lIltJI Observation-Disclosures
to the valley floor were showing the ef-
fects of an overstocked range; car
cases of cows unable to Withstand the
winter were much: in evidence, and
from then on until the new grass had
attained a good stand more COWS died,
some in spite Of all efforts to save
them; we saved some, but not many,
by carrying hay, grain, and water to
them. It wa discouraging to the cat
tleman from a financial standpoint,
and it wrung his heart to see the poor
creatures die. -.
That year efforts to produce more
fodder were redoubled more grain was
sown, more hayland irrigated. Every
body was busy. While we boys were not
driving cattle from the poison patches
on the Sweetwater, we were irrigating
and repairing breaks in the ~irrigating
bitches; the bitches were comparatively
new and it seemed that any little thing
would break them; gophers .burrowed
in the banks, live stock crossing: in
numbers would tramp down the lower
sides, an old badger hole beneath the
ditch bed would furnish an outlet for
water, which is always trying to escape.
Indeed, there's always plenty to do ON a
ranch. The year 1884 was good. The
calf crop was excellent. After the
spring roundup during which the
calves were branded, the main herds
were taken above the canyon.
AS came on it was perceived
that the crops were to be bountiful; we
put up more hay than ever before and
raised from 80 to 100 bushels to the acre
on the 1e-acre TRACT planted to oats
Here seems as good a place as any to
speak of intimate affairs in the Will
Hams family. In the everyday affairs
Of life Captain Williams was an easy
going man, good natured, a pleasant
person to live with, indulgent with his
family, and with those whom he en-
ployed. I recall one good example Of
his ease with growing boys. At the
Galloway ranch Mr.. and Mrs. Williams,
the girls and the small children slept
In the log buildings, while the large
boys slept in the frame house. When
the Captain arose, which was early In
the morning, he would open the door
Of the frame house and say, "Get up,
boys, lots to do today" and would 60
about his work.
After a time he would return and
say, II thought I told you fellows to get
up? Get out Of that. Or, Get UP
there, boys, and hear the birds sing"
or, Get up, you lazy devils, and help
me pail the cows"
On the first occasion sometimes he
! would not receive any response at all,
and upon the second a sleepy OF lazy
one. But when he came the third time
it wa time to get up, no foolishness
about tive got up and hustled. This
was The regular course, but if he really
meant business the first time he came
inside and told us to get up and stayed
until we did. He wa possessed of a
whimsical sense of humor and at meal
times frequently kept us laughing by
telling stories, but seldom talked Of
himself.
His wife was an excellent woman with
ia ShrewiSh turn of mind. She was
;, proud of her husband and children,
but was inclined to criticise them for
their failure to do this or that. She
laid stress upon culture, frequently crit
icising her husband for his failure to
provide educational advantages for the
children, and at the same time Scolding
them for neglecting the opportunities
which were provided. If the Captain
took notice of this flow of language at
all, his comment was mild, generally
humorous, but the persistency of it
,, worried him.
Whenever he had anything important
to do, he avoided strong liquor; but at
other times he was fond of it, and i'm
bibed freely. AS he grew older this
tendency grew upon him, and it was
difficult for him to maintain sobriety
upon his visits to Virginia City; he
could not resist the temptation to drink
with his old friends. On these oc-
casions he would furnish his share Of
the entertainment by telling stories, and
occasionally singing.
Ito Be C%ontinued)