Fort Keogh was but a short distance up the river. That military
interference had been secured through fraud and deception, there was
not the shadow of a doubt. During the few hours which we spent in
Miles, the cattle interests were duly aroused, and a committee of
cowmen were appointed to call on the post commander at Keogh with a
formidable protest, which would no doubt be supplemented later, on the
return of the young lieutenant and his troopers. During our ride the
night before, Sponsilier and I had discussed the possibility of
arousing the authorities at Glendive. Since it was in the neighborhood
of one hundred miles from Powderville to the former point on the
railroad, the herds would consume nearly a week in reaching there. A
freight train was caught that afternoon, and within twenty-four hours
after leaving the quarantine camp on the Powder River, we had opened
headquarters at the Stock Exchange Saloon in Glendive. On arriving, I
deposited one hundred dollars with the proprietor of that bar-room,
with the understanding that it was to be used in getting an expression
from the public in regard to the question of Texas fever. Before noon
the next day, Dave Sponsilier and Tom Quirk were not only the two most
popular men in Glendive, but quarantine had been decided on with
ringing resolutions.
Our standing was soon of the best. Horses were tendered us, and
saddling one I crossed the Yellowstone and started down the river to
arouse outlying ranches, while Sponsilier and a number of local cowmen
rode south to locate a camp and a deadline. I was absent two days,
having gone north as far as Wolf Island, where I recrossed the river,
returning on the eastern side of the valley. At no ranch which was
visited did my mission fail of meeting hearty approval, especially on
the western side of the river, where severe losses from fever had been
sustained the fall before. One ranch on Thirteen Mile offered, if
necessary, to send every man in its employ, with their own wagon and
outfit of horses, free of all charge, until quarantine was lifted. But
I suggested, instead, that they send three or four men with their
horses and blankets, leaving the remainder to be provided for by the
local committee. In my two days’ ride, over fifty volunteers were
tendered, but I refused all except twenty, who were to report at
Glendive not later than the morning of the 6th. On my return to the
railroad, all arrangements were completed and the outlook was
promising. Couriers had arrived from the south during my absence,
bringing the news of the coming of the through Texas cattle, and
warning the local ranches to clear the way or take the consequences.
All native stock had been pushed west of the Powder and Yellowstone, as
far north as Cabin Creek, which had been decided on as the second
quarantine-line. Daily reports were being received of the whereabouts
of the moving herds, and at the rate they were traveling, they would
reach Cabin Creek about the 7th.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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