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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (April 18, 1913)
( . MUST confess that of all I'll appoint you a deacon tho picturosquo flgureB It i cnurcn has boon my happy lot to meet during tho courao of my 12 yeara of world-wan derlng, nono stands bo prominontly In my recol lections as MaJ. C.J. Uobb, member of tho British army and companion of tho Distinguished Service order, and now nn assist ant game warden in Drlt- Isli East Afrlcn. 1 first saw tho major In South Af rica, and I got to know him, na few other men know him, whilo we wore both serving tho British EaBt African government. This friendship between us Is one, for my own part, which years can not lessen. What a history tho man has back of his forty-odd years! What a name ho has won for himself on tho Mold of battle and In pollco duties! It Beems almost Impossible to tell all ho lias aeen, accomplished and eiidurcd. Perhaps one day somo one will ven turo to record In book form tho many duodB of daring this frail-looking Aus trniian has to his credit. It would bo b mighty task, but tho result should bo worthy of tho effort, for I know of no man who has more matorlal to draw upon, vivid truc-to-llfo happen ings In a varied career of excite ment. Hobb was born In Australia way 'back In the RovontleB or may bo tho mlxtles. Emigrating to America when iBtlll n boy. he held first ono post end tlifn another, until finally ho drift ed to Canada and enlisted In tho world fnmouB Canadian mounted po lice. Sometimes, If you cau get him Into a talkatlvo mood, ho will toll you of riding many miles to capturo danger ous criminals single-handed. Ross tells with a ninllo that ho waB nover known to fall on 'no of theso hazardouo un dertakings If you look at his face, jrou can understand why thiB 1b bo. It Is not easy to get him to talk, but fortunately his record Is no well known that It Is not n difficult matter to gather material on his lite. I remember pno day when wo went In camp together In East Africa keeping law and ordor In a now din tnond field rush, which turned out a fizzle Robb began to talk after din .nor of BomiM of his ndventurca with tho gun-men and illicit liquor men In fho northwest of Canada. Ho told ub of one day capturing a band of four bandltr., who wero noto rious for tho number of men thoy .had killed. Roes was sent out with h trooper to cap'.uro them alive If poo- Bible. Ye gods! think of ltl Two xnou to capturo tho four worst men In Canada) Tho two men rodo across tho plaluB for several days until thoy finally camo upon tho camp of tho baudltB. "Wo cot 'em." ended Robb. Be ing pressed for further particulars, ho reluctantly told ub a few details of tho capture. "Our arrival was a surprise," ho continued. "I walked Into their camp accompanied by ray trooper. Nolthor of ua had drawn a gun. Bandits or do bandits, they all know tho can't fool tho N. W M. l'ollco. Ono darn ed fool drew a gun but I'm mighty quick with my pea-shooter and winged Mm. The others submitted, nnd wo brought 'em back to tho t.hlof. It was sure some Bott snap, that. Tho poor fellow I had shot wns hurled where ho fell by hla comrades Thoy didn't like doing It, but n Blx-ahonter covering you mnkeQ n man do what he's ordered. Loastwlne, It always hate In my experiences." It ts only by looking into hla eyes and catching the lines of hla mouth, hidden partially by 2n 2hoavy mus tache, that one can read that behind this hardened cxtorlor lurks a hoart full of kindness for a comrade In dis tress. Strango to relato ho is a pow er with women. All women Ilka him, and ho himself loves tho socloty of tho gentler sex. In tho summer of 1010 Ross was happily married In Lon don and hats taken hla wife back to East Africa with him. Many a fair lady's heart will ho jealous of tho woman who has become Mrs, Ross, Ono day, when riding togethoi across tho Athl Plains, Ross told mo that ho had spent somo years In Utah I asked him If ho was a Mormon. "Sure thing, oung follcr. I'm a bish op In tho church." he laughed, and the merry twlnklo In his oyo warned mo that a llttlo coaxing might bring out a good story. And presently ho told me about hla stay In Snlt Lake City.- "I gotten run out of thoro. I mlV romembor what for. Tho Mormon re ligion is sure somo fine thing. AH your wives save up all tho yollor-leg-ged chickens to try nnd coax you to fuvor them. 1 don't bellevo In no suf fragette; Mormon ladles for nilno. Sayvl guess you bettor Join that out fit. All you gotta do Is to stand up ono day In tho Tabornnclo and an uounco that you've had a rovolatlon for Sister Jajio, and she becomes n number five or whatever nuinbor is next vacant In your catalogue. I uro had somo mighty fine rovolatlon in Salt Luke City. Say, young feller, But somohow I felt 1 wns being "Joshed," for tho twlnklo in Robs' eyes belled his words. But over aftor ho called mo "Deacon." I often wonder whothcr ho told his brido about his Mormon proclivities. 1 rather fancy ho would, for ho wns not a man to hldo a Joke, nor to hide a truth. Aftor leaving tho northwost mount ed police, Ross camo back to tho States and enlisted, after naturaliz ing, for somo Indian campaign. Ho also fought through tho Red River war, Ills career waB varied to a mnrkod degrco until tho South Afri can war broke out. Rosb Joined tho Canadian mounted rifles and went out to South Africa with them as a trooper. Ho saw con siderable service with them, but event ually cot Into troublo through an ex ceslve fondness for looting He was dropped from tho forco und Im mediately went to Pretoria and Jolnod another Irregular corps bb a lieuten ant. His wonderful scouting and dar ing earned for him tho notlco of Lord Kitchener. As a result of an Interview with tho great British gen eral, Robb was empowered to ralfio an Irregular corps of cavalry. Ho call ed the Canadian Mounted Scouts. So waa bom a llttlo corps which wrote Its namo big In tho annals of tho grcateBt war of modern times. Rosb gathered together a number of kindred spirits and scon had a (reg intent of scouts which would bo hard to equal, lot alono boat. Thoy wero all men who had traveled tho world In soarch of adventure, men who faced death dally with unflinching oyco, and who know no hardship too difficult to enduro or overcome. With such ma torlal Is It to bo wondered at that the Canadian Mounted Scouts wero soon hoard of? Thoy fought In every part of tho TranBvnal, Orango River Colony, and Capo Colony. Tho Boers trembled at tho mere mention of tho namo of Ross. It would tako n book to wrlto tho hlBtory of their deeds of marvel ous daring. Thoy UBed no kid gloves in their warfaro, cither. Porhaps tho mostfamouB episode In their adventurous exploltB wna tho shooting of 15 Boer prisoners, whom they had captured when wearing the British uniform. This act was agnlnst all usages of modern warfaro, und In doflanco of tho actB of Tho Hague' and Gonova; tho Boors wero Hablo for tholr breach of law to bo trlod by drumhead court-martial, with doathaB tho penalty If found guilty. Robh 1b a man of quick action. Ho had caught tho men In tho act of crime and wearing tho uniforms. That was enough. Ho. dispensed with tho drumhend court-martial and sentenced thum to death by shooting. Ho se lected threo of hia most trusted fol lowers to aaBlBt him In tho execution of thb Boers. Thon ho sent In tho remainder of his regiment, warning them to tako no notlco of any shooting thoy might hoar In tho courso of tho next few minutes. Ho waited until thoy wero out of sight and then turned to tho cowering Boors. I wlBh that 1 could ronroduco tho story of tho subsequent events with tho vivid detail and quaint phraseol ogy UBcd by Rosa when telling mo tho Btory. Ho speaks with a drawl nnd pronounced American accent. "Say, you gol-durned dotfs," Ross aald to thorn, "I've caught you with tho goods on you, and you got to ante up. I'll glvo you Just five minutes to mako your ponce with your Creator, and thou I'll pass you out. I guess tho good God wor.'t listen to such ver min na you, but I'm gamo to let you try your hand at It. Utop lively now with them petitions to your Kood Makor!" With a revolvor In each hand and hla threo men covering tho 15 prison ers with their guns, Robs counted out tho minutes. Tho Boers had not yet realized that ho was In enrncat aud stood watching him anxiously. "Ono mora minute and out you got!" Rosa snappod at them as ho finished counting off four minutes. Ho step ped toward tho first man nnd hold his revolver at tho man's hoad. Tljo Boor cowered back and began to beg for morcy. "Cut out that woman business;" commanded Ross. "I gueaa tho good Cod won't llston to you, and, if he won't you can't expoct mo to. Tlmo upl Horo'a whoro you go to soo your God, If ho'll boo you, which I doubtB." Bang! wont tho rovolvor, and tho man sank doad at tho major's feet. Ono after tho other, ho sont thorn on tholr way Into tho "Grcnt Unknown." Tho work completed, Rosa and his man mounted their horses nnd rodo at a gallop aftor tholr reglmont, Tho story loakod out, and Ross waB Bent for by Lord Kitchener at Pretoria. No record of thta mooting Is obtainable, and Robs will not speak if It. At lonst hla offense did not Interforo, Inter on, with Rosa' bo Ing appointed a companion of tho Dis tinguished Sorvico order, which ranks next to tho Victoria Cross. Another story told about Major Robb, which I happon to know to bo truo In evory detail, Is that when rid ing Into Protorla ono mornlntf from an expodltlou aftor a Boor commando, (TVtHMfT u wtoK to In the his llttlo column was mlatakon for a party of Boors by a British garrison artillory battery of 4.7 guns In ono of tho hills guarding tho capital. Tho shells foil wide nnd thU fact Irritated Robb. Ho loft tho column In churgo of his Becond In command and rodo at a gallop towurd thn hill from which tho bnttcry was firing. Oblivious to shot and shall, Ross rodo right to tho sum mit of tho hill, luckily arriving un scathed. "Who's tho gol-durncd fool In com mand of this outfit?" to shouted to tho aBtonlshod gunnors. A young artillory lieutenant camo forward and saluted tho major. Tho senior eyed tho younger man sternly. "That tho best practice you and your fools can mako?" he Inquired with deep disgust. "I'll report you for bad shooting when 1 got into Pro torla. Maybe tho general will lot you hear from him, I guess you had bet ter go back to school, young man, for your education has been sadly neglected." ' Ross wheeled his horse and clat tered down the hill again to rejoin his command. For many a long day tho lieutenant will suffer from tho Kibes of his brother officers, and the men of tho bnttery will probably never re cover tholr Belf-respect. Ross camo out of tho Boor war with a remarkable record behind him und with the undying admiration nnd friendship of Lord Kitchener and oth er generals. His 1b a namo to con Juro with. Tho Boers feared him to a marked degree, so much so that when largo parties of them camo up to East Africa to Bettlo after tho war and learned that Robs was an official, they told the governor that they wero afraid to sottlo in tho same country with Ross. But they havo learned that tho major In war and tho major In peace are two entirely differ ent people. Tho EaBt African Boora have long lost all fear of him and now look upon him as tholr friend and brother I think I am correct in saying that Major Ross is tho only naturalized American who is a retired major of tho BrltlBh army, a companion of the coveted Distinguished Servico ordor, nnd nn uctlng official of tho British Colonial government service This nlono proves In what high esteem he is held by tho British government. Aftor tho Boer war was over, Ross fought for a' tlmo in tho Somallland war of 1902-1904 as an officer with tho Boor contingent of mounted In fantry. Then ho camo up to East Af rica and went on a trading and elephant-hunting trip into German East Africa. His llfo thero Is somewhat Bhrouded In mystery. All I have oVer been ablo to ascertain about It Is that ho shot a largo number of ele phants, secured n grant of land, and sot up a trading storo at ono of the German stations, Bukoga, I bellevo, on tho Victoria lnko. Howovor, ho managed to fall afoul of tho Gorman authorltloa, and ho was expelled from tho territory and hia laud confiscated. By all ec- rcountB, ho was very harshly and undo- Borvedly used. When his royal high noBB tho duko of Connaught was vis iting East Africa In 190C, Major Rosa camo to mcot him at Klsumu on tno Victoria lako by tho duke's special request. Thoy had a long talk and tho duko promised to tako up hia caso ngalnat tno German colony on his return to London. Shortly afterward, as a result of tills meeting, Major Ross waB appoint ed assistant gamu warden of tho East African Protoctorato. No more fit ting work could havo beon found for him, and ho has earned a great namo for his rigid enforcement of tho gamo protection lawa. Woo bctldo tho man who to bold enough to break the gamo regulations, for ho will havo to an swer to Major Robs nnd tho courts of justlco as suro as hla uame is what It la. Day after day Rosb rides tho plains and gamo roBorvos in search of law breakers. Ho thinks nothing of cover- lug 50 miles a day. Ho carries his food and blankets on hla saddle, and sleeps under a troo, In a uatlvo hut, or, If lucky, at a farmhouso. Ho enrea nothing for tho danger of attack from prowling beasts of tho Junglo or tur bulent uutlves, or from tho hardships of exposure. Ho spells duty with a very big capital D. On one occasion, tho atory goes that ho rodo" by moonlight from Fort Hall in tho Konka district to Nairobi a dlstnnco of G4 miles! When about half way, ho was hold up on tho plains by throo lions. Ross Bays that ho had much difficulty In keeping his pony's hoad on to tno uoiib, but eventually tho lions tired of stalking him nnd turnod their attontloii3 to somo zebra which Rosb could hear noar by. it wasn't a very pleasnnt.oxperlenco, but Rosa laughs at It. Ho callB tho threo lions In quostlon, "Gol-durnod pesky curlouB critters " At hla house In Nairobi ho kopt for a loug tlmo a tamo Hon, much to the terror of Itinerant natives. Ho sayo that it was tho best "watch dog" ho ovor owned, and claims that whon all tho othor bungalows In his vicinity were favored by burglars, his house escaped attention. Which U not at all surprising under tho circum stances I think that few men havo had taoro Interesting und exciting experiences with big gamo than Major Robs, yet ho will not talk about them, for he Is a very modest man, totally unawnro of hla own sterling qualities. His work carries him continually among tho denizens of forest and plain, and few men know tho habits and traits of tho wild game In "Naturo's Zoo" better than Ross. I feol rather like tolling talcs out of school by narrating tho following llt tlo story of Rosa. It Is so typical of tho groat, big, boyish heart of tho man, that I can not refrain from tell ing It. It bo happened that Rosa foregath ered with threo other Amerlcaus In Nairobi to celebrato Independence day. They had a very lively dinner, nnd afterward proceeded to loose off steam by firing off a number of crack ers and rockotB. Tiring of this tamo pastime, they started In to turn Nai robi Into a "Wild West" town by shooting out tho street lamps from tho veranda of tho hotel. This sport soon palled, and they wont for a walk down town with tho object of seeking now fields of enjoyment. They happened to pass tho bank and saw tho win dow open, and a Parseo clerk working at a ledger under a light. Tho temptatiou waa too strong for Ross and his three American compan ions. Thuy lit somo crackers and throw thorn Into tho bank building through tho open window. Tho clerk mistook them for bombs and rushed out, shouting "Murder!" Tho negro constable on the beat below blew his whistle for help, and tho barracks be ing close at hand, soon had somo 'JO dusky policomeu respond to tho "alarm" call. In tho general mix-up, and to avoid arrest for their prank, Ross aud his companions roughly han dled tho policemen and put them to flight. I happened to bo In command of tho police at Nairobi, and soon camo upon the scene in answer to a telophono call. I arrested tho four practical jok ers for "disturbing tho peace" aud "reBlsting a police officer in the exe cution of his duty." They wero all released on ball, and subsequently stood their trial before tho sessions judge and a white jury. Tho jury, In tho face of tho weight of evidence, brought In a verdict of not guilty, and all wore acquitted. Rosa mado an ample apology to all concerned for hla share In tho es capade, and laughingly told me that he thought It pretty hard that a good American could not enjoy his national holiday without bolng arrested. When Colonel Roosevelt visited East Africa he met Major Ross, and the two men found much In common. At tho banquet glvon In Nairobi to tho ox-presldent, Major Rosa was selected to present a rhlnoceros-fcot box to tho distinguished visitor ns a token of regard from tho Americana In tho colony. In a short speech at tho pre senstatlou, Major Ross, to every ono's keen delight and particularly that of Colonel Roosevelt, repeatedly referred to the famous hunter as "Colonel Rosenfolt." In his roply tho colonel roferred to tho many years Major Ross had spent In America and par ticularly In the west, saying that they were both "pretty good Rocky moun tain men." It Is somewhat surprising to think how this man of many weird experi ences and continuous adventure has settled down to his official llfo in Eaat Africa. See him in his spotless white duck government uniform with his breast glittering with his four or ders and medals, and you will hard ly credit that this Is tho man whoan reckless darlug and quick-handed met ing out of JubUco In tho Boor war sot all tho British army talking. See him as I havo seen him, clad In evening dress at a government house function, smoking n short plpo, and you may laugh for a moment be cause he looks llko a duck out of wa ter. But you will not laugh long, for you will quickly recognlzo that hero 1b a MAN. It Is becaUBo ho Is pre eminently a man that ho la a leader among men, Tho spirit of tho rover of tho plains nnd tho sookor after adventure Is strong within him, and It Is plain to tho naked eye. Ho Is no social mlmlo of civilized customs. He Is not pol ished, his hands aro not manicured, hlB faco Is not massaged, his clothes aro anything but fashlonablo, but ho cares not, and after a few minutes' conversation with him you do not enro olther. Again, seo him playing with chil dren, as I havo seen him, laughing and hnppy, and you will begin to un derstand that though u man may be quick to snuff out a llfo when It is necessary, this does not Imply that ho 1b heartless or cruel. No man who can look at Ross when ho Is playing with hla llttlo children friends, can bo cruel or hoartlesa. But Ross will toll you that It Is somotlmoa lmporntlvo to carry a gun, and If you do so It Is essential that you can shoot straight and be quicker on tho trigger thau tho other man. As he onco naively told mo, "Shoot quick and straight. Tho last man In gets tho full servico aud won't want no othor." Ono day tho restless spirit within hlB gaunt, tall, weathor-boaten framo will bid him pack up his traps and go forth again to freah adventures. Tho llfo Is too alluring to bo loft alono for long. When that spirit movos Rosa ngaln, things will happen. Things havo a way of happening when he la around. nut for tho momont ho has settled down to a homo llfo with a wife, and maybo with a son to rear up to fol low In hla footstops. But I do not think that ho will stay content for long In civilization. Wnp'illllPI NEW PRECEPTOR FOR THE TRUSTS "Oh, yes; it's an old story to mo. And speaking, of courso, only for my self, I regard It as a plain subterfugo which deserves nn expeditious com mitment to tho scrap-heap." This statement, made by James C. McReynolds clghteon months ago, when ho wns asked If ho had aeon tho plan for tho dissolution of tho To bacco Trust, thon just published, gives a pretty definlto Idea of tho new attorney general's point of view regarding tho enforcement of tho Sherman anti-trust law and methods of disintegration that havo prevailed in tho past. ,.,,,. Mr. McReynolds had conducted tho fight against the Tobacco Trust from its inception nnd had carried it to tho point whoro tho combination waB Me nounend by tho Supremo court and 'tho circuit court In Now York waB di rected to bring about "a now condi tion In harmony with and not repug nant to the law." This was tho first caso In which the courts woro called upon to work out a dissolution plan and It becamo incumbent upon tho American Tobacco com pany, through Its lawyers, to propose something that would be acceptable to the government and tho court. Tho plan presented to tho court for discussion In open session wns not what tho trust's lawyers had started out to get. and even after that Mr. Wick ersham, at the suggestion of tho Independents, had somo matorlal alterations mado, but tho cascntial feature to which Mr. McReynolda had particularly objected common ownership of the companiea which woro to tako ovor tho segregated assets was still tho central point. PRESIDENT P01NCARE A REMARKABLE MAN M. Polncnro, France's now presi dent, is a remarkable man. -Ho has held cabinet ofllco on four occasions. Besides this his efforts in behalf of International world peace havo been recognized by all tho powers. It Is admitted that ho Is a statesman, be cause ho abandoned a lucrative law practice to accept the position of a cabinet minister at a salary of $10,000 a year. Ho Is an eloquent speaker, is recognized as a man of sterling character, has a keen sense of humor, and all theso qualities combine to mako him tho ono man who could head the present cabinet of former prime ministers. Every Parisian knows tho story of tho 25 centimes nickel pleco, which Is equivalent to tho American 5 cent coin. It was extromoly unpopular and no government had been able to support it. When Polncaro went into office tho atory about this pleco was brought before him and ho said: "Just leave It to mo." This same nickel pleco is now ono of tho most popular money pieces In France. Somo ono got out a story that "Rothschild" had been engraved in tiny letters on several of tho coins and that tho first ono who presented ono at tho Rothschild bank would receive $5,000. Of course thero was no truth In the story. No ono has ever accused M. Polncare of having circulated the story, hut nevertheless this simple llttlo circumstance made the premier ex tremely popular. PREDICTS UNION OF ALL RELIGIONS A worldwldo propaganda that has for Its aim and object the education of people" In tho need and advantage of a unified, amalgamated church ono that shall embrace all creeds and beliefs and nationalities is In prog ress. It Is bolng carried on In Chi cago, is this propaganda, and Bishop Charles P. Anderson of the Protestant Episcopal church la ono of the propa gandists. As tho first step toward unifica tion of tho world's different religious beliefs it has been proposed to hold a conference at which all religions will bo represented. The ono great object of this conforenco will bo to discuss tho question in a calm, dis passionate manner and to seo if somo understanding cannot bo arrived at. "It is apparent to any ono who! gives tho question serious thought." said Bishop Anderson, "that tho old time animosity between tho different churches is dying out. Tho trend of oventB 1b toward a universal church. Christian religion ahould bo organized. "It haa been proposed to hold this conference, at which representatives of all Christian bodies shall bo present. Tho object of tho conferenco will bo to consider tho difficulties In tho way and to seo If they cannot bo related and reconciled." 1 H GARRISON THINKS ARMY PLAN WRONG "Tho presont system of punishing desertion from the army Is as bad as the old English laws fixing tho death ponalty for 160 offonses." said Secre tary Garrison of the war department tho othor day, In discussing a pro posal to mako desertion In 'tho army a misdemeanor and not a crime. Secretary Garrison Is In favor of a proposition which would abolish the purely statutory criminality of desor tlon In tlmo of peace. For any obli gation by tho enlisted man, violation of which must be treated as a crlmo and punished accordingly, would bo substituted a purely contractual obli gation. Dosortlon In tlmo of peace would bo treated as a mtsdomennor. Stops would bo taken to surroiind tho subsequent civil employment of a de serter with certain hazards designed lo discourage desertion aud to pro mote tho fulfillment of his obligation to tho United Stntos, oven aftor deser tion. These penalties should bo mild. Tho practice of making a Jail bird of a man who had committed no actual crime, of placiug a prlco of $50 on his head and of discouraging by the pros pect of imprisonment ns a felon, tho voluntary roturn of a deserted, all would bo discontinued. Tho war secretary bolloves that reform In tho present method of dealing with tho deserters would not only obviate many Instancos of uravo injustice, but would dlmlulsh tho difficulties of recruiting. T -.-, . Mem ,'- f ' j)WG vmw ni tmWMvw&r
