Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-05-13
Rocky Mountain Ram Roped,
Captured by Carbon Trapper
By 'MON TANA LOU GRILL

BY "MON TANA LOU" GRILL
Frank ChatfieId, during the early
part OF April, 1894, roped a Rocky
mountain ram on the foothills Of
the Sunlight mountains about so
miles from Red Lodge. IL was an
unprecedented feat. Throughout
the entire history Of the Rocky
mountain region it had never been
equaIed.
ITO catch and hold a full-grown
animal Of this species Is a feat that
has heretofore probably never been
accomplished" announced the Red
Lodge Picket, which gave an account
Of the incident.
Chatfield was a strong and hardy
mountaineer. Most of his life had been
spent in the wild recesses of the
Rockies. For a considerable number Of
years he had been combining trap
ping, prospecting and stockraising in
the Sunlight valley. A rugged stream
traces its winding course through the
valley to complete its confluence with
Clark's fork river In the box canyon,
making its final appearance over a
grand fall of rs feet in height
Familiar with every foot of the area
Chatfield frequently turned from his
occupations Of trapping and prospect
ing to indulge in and enjoy the pleas
ure of hunting. He studied the flora
Of the territory and was intimately
familiar with fauna that grazed in the
lowlands or stood in majestic silhouette
on some jagged, rugged projecting
crag against the purple hue of the
sun-studded sky above
During this particular hunt" con-
tinues the Red Lodge Picket, "Mr.
Chatfield saw a fine specimen of the
Owls Montana on the ledge Of a rock
far up the hill, and with common lariat
determined to make an effort to catch /
the animal"
Resort to strategy was necessary in
order to come within throwing dis
lance of the willy ram. Cautiously and {
carefully Chatfield crawled up a dry /
gulch. Keeping out of sight Of the /
animal he reached a reef Of rock about I
80 feet above it.
II looked over the edge of the reef I
of rock" said Chatfield in reporting /
this semiclimax in his quest, land /
gazed with wonderment and awe at /
the monarch of the mountain. Sleek /
in his coat Of wool, poised for action,
standing like a statue, and keenly I
alert against surprise, I quickly real
lied that the ram also spied me above
him. During that fleeing few seconds
I was thrilled"
Translating its instructive intelli-
gence into militant action the animal
jumped over the ledge. With some
and a few bounds it found
refuge on another ledge Of rock about
30 feet below.
Baked in his effort to gain an adj
vantage by lessening the distance be-
tween himself and the ram, Chatfield
sent his dog after the sheep and
brought it to a standstill about 200
feet away. Following as rapidly as he
was able over the rough and broken
mountain slope, Chatfield succeeded in
getting within a few feet of his quarry
when he threw his rope.
ct landed around one Of the rams
horns and hard tuSsle for the mastery
took place. First the sheep would have
the best of the struggle and then the
man. Being on a narrow ledge of
rock it was a very dangerous position
and Mr. Chatfield was liable at any
to fall over with disastrous
recorded the Red Lodge
Picket.
The contest continued. Gradually
Chatfield succeeded in negotiating
safe descent. With the
assistance of his dog he was able to
get the sheep started down the noun
ain.
"AS neither party could 60 exactly
Is they wished they soon got tangled
n the rope and both sheep and man
tarted in a bundle rolling down to
he bottom Of the hill where they
anded decidedly the worse for their
ough scramble over the rocks. His
was roped around both hind
eet and afterwards the rope was ar
anged around both horns in which
ondition he was taken to the Chat
ield ranch where he Is now securely
onfined."
The Red Lodge Picket stated that
ne mountain sheep was q magnificent
pecimen OF the species, "and viii very