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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (June 11, 1914)
THE PLATTSnfiOUTH JOURNAL TRADE EXPANSION SECTION. IV'CNnAY, JUNE 15, 1D14. THERE'S PLEASURE not afforded by any other ar ticle of attire, in a comforta ble, stylish, up-to-date shoe. For the benefit of those who desire such a shoe at a moder ate price we announce that our line of 'STYLE AND DEPENDABILITY" is complete and ready for your inspection. These Shoes which sell at $2.50, $3, $3.50 are made by one of the oldest and best known shoe manufacturers in the country. They have more desirable qualities in the ultra stylishness; the excellent fit; the reliability of the materials; and their Absolute Dependability, than any line of equal priced shoes in the market. You can judge better, though, by seeing them and trying them on. Come NOW, while the line of models and sizes is complete. ...FETZER'S SHOE STORE B. A. EfflcELWAIN . . . - Jeweler and Silversmith 1 On the Sunny Side of Main Street Plettsmoutli, - - Nebraska ADOLPH GIESE'S i i Wholesale Dealer In Jos- Schlitz Brewing Co's Milwaukee Laer Beer A larpe part of the joy of motoring is lost unless you have a car you can be proud of. "Dctroiter" owners arc proud owners. They drive a car of dis tinction; one with ample power and embodying the very highest priced principles of construction. And yet a car that runs as economically as any five-passenger automobile manufactured, bar none. This 1914 "Dctroiter" with its big motor, added refinements, and faultless Dctroitcr-Kemy Starter, is now on our floors. See it. T. H. POLLOCK, Dealer, COATES BLOCK Telephone AND SATISFACTION tit JS f N3. . V The John Strootman Shoe for Women. A Complete Stock of Diamonds, Watches Fancy Clocks, Gold Jewelry, Sterling Silver, Cut Glass, Brass Goods, Hand Painted China. HIGHEST QUALITY LOWEST PRICES... gsggiJ KM. Special Order Work a Specialty. "Balky Watches Made to Work.' -S3S- SGhlitz B uffe t The home of Fine Kentucky Whiskeys The Best of Everything, and Everything the Best Plaitsmouth, ... febr... With Self .starting fcud Lighting System $125 Extra No. 1 PLATTSMOUTH EARLY DAYS i,N NEBRASKA (Continue! From First Page.' monished us boys not to pet sick too oflen, as, if we did, our only medicine might give out. The grub wagon also contained a set of blacksmith tools and bellows, such as were necessary in shoe ing oxen. To his many accomp lishments, Boss Allaffer added that of an expert in the art of shoring oxen. Some of I lie oxen would heroine foolslore from trav- ing nvcr the sand and then Boss ' Allaffer would start the bellows and in a short time the ox or oxen would be wearing a new pair of ox shoes. Well, we took our teams to the farm north of Nebraska City, then owned by (General Isaac Coe, where we loaded seven wagons with shelled corn in gunnysacks, for the use of the soldiers at Oh! Fort Julesburg in Colorado. This corn hat! been purchased by the government and AltafTer had tak en the contract to deliver it at Fort Julesburg within a certain time or upon failure so to do, then at Fort. Larimer in Wyom ing or at such other place as the government might direct. After loading our wagons we then star ted westward traveling over the old steam wagon road part of the time. The writer soon had his first experience in a freighters' camp ami his first experience in the art of cooking over the camp fire. He discovered that he could drive four yoke of oxen much more successfully than he could mix flour, form biscuits and properly bake them in the oh! fashioned oven over the rampfire. Likewise lie soon discovered that he knew more about farming and teaching school than he did about properly slicing and frying "sow belly," making cotVee. and cooKing potatoes ami onions. In fact, for a time he couldn't eat much of his own cooking while the rest of the boys, in cluding Ross Allaffer, seemed to relish the work of the yonng. in experienced rook. Buss AltafTer was ever ready to show the writ er how to prepare the grub, and soon the writer could eat about as much as anyone and began to improve physically. When we got into the buffalo ranges, the "bufTalo chips" were in abundance ant! often these were gathered, put info gunny sacks and into fhe wagons and carried with us. They made an intense heat, and a bed of live coals under the old-fashioned bake-oven and some on top o the oven lit and the four big bis runs were soon baked, ii in handling the riven lid. some o these red hot 'bufTalo chips' should fall among the biscuit that seemed to make no differ ence with the appetites of any in the outfit. If any at all, our ap petites became more voracious And the amount of food consum ed by us "bull-whackers" m that trip, would astonish, if no frighten many people of the pres ent day. Usuallv about half a bushel of biscuits were baked aw. potatoes, onions and "sow belly' in proportion! Awl how. we al soon enjoyed and relished that kind of food for breakfast, dinner and supper! But at supper fiiw when in camp after a hard day' drive, we sometimes added to this sumptuous repast some of that spirits frumenti from fh keg. This liquid refreshment, no doubt, was just as palatable to us "bull-whackers," as is Secre tary Bryan s "(Jrape-juice," to the guests at the White House But none of us ever drank enough to produce intoxication. Boss AltafTer limited our allowance? an! he was a man in whom all of us had implicit confidence. That Wild Steer. As before stated, the writer was wholly inexperienced in driving and managing four yoke of oxen hitched fo one wagon, aw! had requested Boss AltafTer to assign for his use, four yoke of gentle oxen. But somehow, the writer was given one of the ap parently wildest and most un manageanie steers mat anyone ever saw. This ox was a dark brindle in color, large an! per fectly formed, was the off wheel er while his mate was equally large with while face and white spots over its body and gentle as a lamb. They were called, "Buck" and Brindle," the latter being that w ild sleer and I lie writer speaks of this particular steer now, because in the course of this narrative, a' somewhat in structive incident will be related of "Brindle." When the writer first began yoking up li is oxen lie found all gentle and easily yok ed except Brindle. It required (he services of nearly all the boys to assist in yoking Brindle. But when hitched with his male to fhe wagon as my wheelers, no ox could possibly do his work more faithfully. But the writer soon noticed that Hrindle would always shy off when he saw the whip swinging in his direction. This led to an investigation and a remarkable discovery was made. Hrindle had been aiding in hauling stuff on I he plains for a number of years. On examin ation, the writer discovered that Brindle's entire body was cover ed with many scars as if mad1 by the whip in vigorous if not cruel hands. The conclusion was irre sistible, thai Hrindle had been most cruelly and inhumanly beat en and thus made him afraid of anything in human form. The writer, had, early in life, learned that, to have so-called "dumb animals," obey, love and respect you, such animals must lie treat en with kindness and not cruelly beaten with whip and club. Act ing on this theory, the writer commenced this mode of treat ment by approaching Bundle in a way that this so-rallnl "dumb brute" soon understood to be friendly. Xo whip was allowed t touch Brindlc, nor was anyone al lowed to loudly cuss or abuse him. The writer, by kind and gentle treatment' was soon able to gent ly rub those cruel scars on Brin dle's body awl to brush his beau tiful briwlle hair. In a short time, Briwlle, apparently under standing this kind of treatment, returned like treatment as best he could; first by licking with his tongue, the writer's hands, then his body and finally the face. Brindle, soon became perfectly docile and obedient and when Buck was yoked and the otner ewl of the yoke was held up, when called, Brindle would come from other loos' oxen, march to his place under the yoke, awl there gently and pn'elly stand while fh writer adjusted the ox-bow which yoked him to his male. Could anvthinir. more forcibly illus trate the great influence of kind treatment of so-called, "dumb animals?" The writer learned an important lesson from his exper ience with Brindle, which, ever afterward, compelled fhe belief that, most so-called "dumb ani mals" were capable of reasoning But more of Brindle. before w close this sketch of plain life. 58 years ago. Oxen In Ranchman's Cornfield. A short time after we left rs'e braska City with our cargo of shelled corn, we camped on night near a stream of flowing water, some miles west of the lat ter named city. The weather seemed ideal, and none of us eve thought of a rain storm. But to ward morning, that rainstorm came, aw! it was a regular, down pour. It seemed, nearly every thing was Hooded. Earlv in the morning. Boss AltafTer called us boys fo get up and go and look out for our oxen which Joe Tem pest, the night-herder was sup posed to be guarding. Soon Pay- fm Dillon and the writer were mounted one riding a mule, the other a pony awl Ross Allaffer on foot. We soon found Joe, the night-herder, but at first couhln" fiwl the oxen. Verv soon. Boss Allaffer, although on foot, found the oxen in a ranchman's corn field and it was only a matter o ?25.00 damages which Boss Al tafTer paid, to redeem our enter prising oxen. A suspicion pre vailed among us "bull-wharkers, that Joe Tempest, the night-her der, had been sleeping and let the cattle ge. awav but. we could not then prove it, even by eireum sfantial evidence. But more of sleeping night -herder hereafter Now, we had to reach Fort Julesburg with that shelled corn, at a certain time, or the govern ment would order u farther west awl this might mean, an all win ter's job. But Boss AltafTer was equal to the occasion. He plan ned to protect our oxen as fol lows: As soon as it was light enough to see to yoke the oxen. the night-herder was instructed to bring them into the corral! and we drivers were hurtled out of our sleeping bunks and soon fh. oxen were yoked, hitched to the wagons awl we were traveling m the direction of old Fort Jules burg. About ten or eleven o'clock a. in., we would go into camp, unyoke the oxen awl turn them out on the rich grass to graze and rest, while we had our breakfasts. Then after about three hours, we would "hitch up" and travel until toward evening, when we would again go into camp for our dinners and give our oxen a chance to graze and rest. Then, after a good rest. we would again mien up anu drive as long as we could see the road and then go into camp for our suppers and a night's rest for ourselves and our oxen. By this plan, we reached old Fort Kear-i a distance of 200 miles fhe Missouri river, in eight lays, making miles per day- an average of 2o -t he usual distance traveled by horse or mule teams. A little incident is worthy of mention. Our suspicions that Joe Tempest, the night -herder, was asleep when the oxen got away and into that ranchman's cornfield, had taken a strong hold of most of us boys. We had reached what was call ed the Indian country, where rov ing bawls of savages were sup posed to be on the look out for some small train of emigrants or freighters. The Indian question was tne principal one uiscusseu bv us "bull-wharkers" and Boss AltafTer. Well, we were in camp one night in this -o called Indian country. Pafon Dillon, who had served in the Union army during the civil war and who had hern mustered ut of fh" service and at his home in Otoe county jusf three flays before starting on this trip, and the writer of this sketch had become warm friends and somewhat chummy. Payton was some four years older than fhe writer. Well, before going fo bed the night referred to. Payton and the writer concluded to play Indian on Joe. For this purpose we each wore a blanket and went hatless with our hair hanging nver our laces. Fach of us car ried a loaded revolver in a belt around the waist. We soon found fhe heard and also Joe. But what was our surprise to find Joe lying fiat on his hack, sound a eep with one end of fhe lariat rope tied the other around his body end was tied fo while the We mule he had with soon concluded not n'm ? to disturb Joe until we laid the matter ! fore Boss AltafTer. Payton de tached the lariat from the mule, mounted it and rode to the camp while the writer remained on guard. The matter was present ed fo Hus AltafTer who directed that the muh' b but wt until we scaring. When returned to Joe. gave him a good Pavfon returned with the Boss's directions, we commenced making a noise to arouse Joe from his -lumber-. We yelled and drove sleers around him but couldn't awaken Joe. We both then purpo.-ely stumbled over him awl gave him a few gentle kicks. Joe waked u; awl commenced to arise. As he did so, Payton and the winter eoni ir.enced firing off their revolvers over awl above Joe's head, yell ing at tile same time. 'Killer. Killer dead: srulpee. srulpee whifr man." Joe was badly scar ed awl begged for his life, x rlaiming pifeously. "Don't kill me. don't kill me." He finally discovered that none of the doz en shuts we had filed had touched him and even recognized us whni he exclaimed. ' I didn't know who in fhe blazes you was." We gave Joe back his mule when he remarked, "I'll never go asleep again while on herd: I'll walk all fhe time to keep awake." Further along the writer will again refer to Joe. At Old Fort Kearney. We arrived at Old Fort Kear ney, where the military author ities stopped us and compelled us to wait until trains should arrive so that we would have at least fifty armed men to make the trip further west. Our train was small, only fen in number, in eluding the Boss, but we wer well armed, each carrying a re volver, 'besides, we had a Spring field rifle awl one musket. It is true that fhe many Indian depre dations had caused universa alarm. The horrid and bruta massacre by the Indians a( Plum Creek just the year before, was fresh in the minds of neonle. es pecially in those of freighters an emigrants. In a short time we had our fif ty armed men when we left Oh rorl Kearney and continued oui journey fo Fort Julesburg. But it was not long before we discov ered that our associate train traveled too slowly and if we re mained with them at such a gait, we would not reach J-ort .lines. burg fn time, and would then In compelled to go on to Fort Lar imer or some other place. We bovs held a council of war with Boss AltafTer, chairman. The whole matter was discussed. each "bull-whacker expressin lis views. The great danger from 'ndiau attacks was fully discuss- ed awl wiinoui one- uissennng voice, we decided to pull out from the other trains and go alone just as soon as we felt safe from military interference. Well, we finally struck out alone and took chances with possible Indian attacks. We ouhl see Indians, occasionally, iding their ponies along the duffs, a considerable distance from the freight ami emigrant road, but never saw any near the ney from 4 Sell Morris Co. 'si 1 1 CWS U Also the CHOICEST CUTS OF BEEF, MUTTON, PORK, From the SAME PACKERS. i sab PI attsmouth' roa 1. We could see Plum Creek where that, terrible massacre by the Indians was commit led the car before in lSi5. awl there .-aw the wag'ou tires and iron bands, all that escaped the f,re witii which the Indians had burnt the wagons after stealing their roiiteiits awl murdering and M'al ping ! he men and boys. Stuck in A P.lud Hole. In crossing' a slough in a cer tain place, a number of our wagon-, became !uck in the mud. The wriler's wagon went down un til the hubs were covered over. Hi- four yoke of cadle were lit- rra stalled couldn't move a leel. if became wce-sarv in double up (he teams to pull the wa -:ons out. Some twenty-eight Vnke of oxen were hitched fo the writer's wagon. When all were properly hitched, with their re spect ive drivers standing" beside them. Boss AltafTer parsed along tin- line, riding the mule, -winging his large ox-whip and yelling and swearing to such an extent fhr-l a person would naturally think that he was going- to beat tile life out of those oen, or some of iheni. lie approached fhe writ ei's four yoke in this manner win n the wriler objected to his u.-ing the whip on any of the former's oxen, and blunflv said to the Boss fhat before he whipped any of the writer's oxen, he would have to whip the writer lirst. The latter said to the Boss, that he did not whip his oxen, particularly Briwlle awl would no), consent that any other person should whip them as long as he drove and managed them. The writer suggester to Boss AltafTer fhat when all were ready, he give the signal to the drivers and have all fhe oxen start pulling fogef her. This sug gestion was acted on and then the wriler's wagon apparently arose straight up out of the mud and was soon on terra firma. And no ox of the large number hitched to that wagon, did more faithful, powerful pulling, than did that fornierl wild steer, Brindle. After landing on solid ground, the writer went to Brin dle and while rubbing and strok ing- his hair, fhat so-called "dumb" animal turned his head awl with the tongue commenced licking the wriler's person, thus showing that the animal intelli gence reciprocal es kind treat ment. J ne writer learned an im pressive lesson from his experi ence with this so-called "dumb" animal, and believes that reader. of this sketch will profit from such experience. Brindlc Defending His Friend On the road, we drove along a portion of what was called "Fre mont's Slough." so name! after General John C. Fremont, who traveled this route in 180,1, in his search for a Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean. We were camped lor tne nigni nar ini.- dough. On the north side, tin lottom was covered with rich grass and in places wmi a uense growth of underbrush, while on the south side and just, south of the freight, and emigrant road. there were numerous bluffs awl deep bush-covered ravines. Such . . . t t was an ideal place ior uie con cealment of Indians awl we were fully aware of the danger. Boss AltafTer and the writer "bunked Son - tt itt Ft N.. Leading Butchers together, fhat occupied the ame sb-epirig- apartments either on the dm filled gunny sacks in the wagon, or on blankets spread on fhe ground. Our en-loin was, that jusf be fore retiring" for the night. Boss Aitafi'er and the writer would is it the oxen in charge of Joe the night-herder to see that things were all rigid. On this particular ilighf, at about eleven o'clock, we wade our accustomed visit" and found fhe oxen absorbed in graz ing' but couldn't fiwl Joe. We tramped around the herd and re peatedly called Jne but no answer. We were surprised and dumb founded. Could if be possible t hat Joe was asleep s m ew here in that wild and dangerous country, fir had he skipped out aw! left fhe oxen fo wander where fhey phased? We finally returned fo camp and there found Joe lying under one of fhe freight wagons. Continued on Page Seven. Wail May not make a home, but it certainly does make a room. We have the kind that is New in Design and will really make a new room. We have it at all prices. We carry in stock the celebrated "OATMEAL" paper which is permanent in color. Cut out border to match Come in and inspect our samples Weyrich k Hadraba The Red Cross Drug Store.