52

CROFUTY’S NEW OVERLAND TOURIST

 

through loose yielding sand, devoid of
vegetation. Here, as well as at all points
where the bluffs come near the river, the
emigrants used to suffer severely, at times,
from the attacks of the Indians. Opposite,
and extending above this point, is a large
island in the river, once a noted camping
ground of the Indians. O’Fallon’s Blufts
are the first of a series of sand hills, which
extend north and south for several hun-
dred miles. At this point, the valley is
much narrower than that through which
we have passed. Here we first enter the
“alkali belt,” which extends from this
point to Julesburg—about 70 miles. The
soil and water are strongly impregnated
with alkaline substances.

‘The country on both sides of the river is
occupied exclusively for grazing purposes.
At certain seasons of the year, passengers
should keep their ‘eye peeled” for buffa-
lo, aS we are now getting into the buffalo
range. During the winter of 1873-4 im-
mense numbers roamed over this country,
along the road for 100 miles westward, but
tew, if any, have been seen since that time.

Passing along up the narrow bottom, with
the blutts close on our right, 7 3-10 miles
brings us to a side-track, called *

WDexter—tTrains seldom stop here, and
7 2-10 miles further we reach

Atkali—on an alkaline bottom. This
station is directly opposite the old
stage station of that name on the south’side
of the river. After leaving the station the
road passes through the sand-bluffs, which
here run c.ose to the river’s bank. A
series of cuts and fills, extending for sev-
eral miles, brings us to the bottom land
again. From Alkali, it is 9 6-10 miles to

BRosco—another side-track station.
Passing along over a narrow bottom,
with sand bluff cuttings, at intervals, 9
6-10 miles, we come to

Ugalalla—the county seat of Keith
county.

The settlers here are all more or less en-
gaged in stock-raising. It is the river-
crossing for large droves of cattle en route
for the Indian reservation, Fort Laramie
and the Black Hills country, to the north-
ward. Near this station, several years ago,
at a point where the road makes a short
curve and crosses the mouth of a ravine,

CO
On the plains, bacon is called ‘‘sow-belly,” In-
dian tents, ‘‘wigwams,” lodges, ‘‘tepees,” ‘‘wick-
eeups.””
Teamsters on the plains call a meal a “‘grub-

pile.”

the Indians attempted to wreck a passen-
ger train, by suddenly massing their ponies
on the track ahead of the locomotive. The
result was, some score or more of the ponies
were killed, without damaging the train,
while the men used their “navies” and
guns pretty freely on the Indians, who
were apparently greatly swrprvsed, and who
now call the locomotive “Smoke wagon
—big chief! Ugh!! no good!”
Another 9 6-10 miles and we reach

Brule—lIt is near the old California
Crossing, where the emigrants crossed
when striking for the North Platte and
a Laramie, to take the South Pass
route.

On the south side of the river, opposite
in plain view, is the old ranche and trading
post of the noted Indian trader and Peace
Commissioner—Beauve—now deserted.

Passing along over cuts and fills, 9 7.10
miles, we reach
_ Big Springs—The station derives
its name from a large spring—the first
tound on the road—-which makes out of
the bluffs, opposite the station, on the
right hand side of the road, and in plain
view from the cars. The water is excel-
ae and will be found the best along this
road.

It was at this station where the “Big
Spring’s robbery” took place, Sept. 18th
1877. A party of twelve masked men took
possession of the station, bound and gagged
the men, cut the telegraph wires, and
when the western train arrived, took pos-
session of it with guns and revolvers, in
the name of “hands up.” The robbers se-
cured $65,000 from the express car, $1,300
and four gold watches from passengers,
then mounted their horses, that had been
hitched near by, and allowed the train to
proceed. No person was killed or injured,
but allexperienced much difficulty for days,
in getting their hair to lay down; and, it is
said, among the railroad men, that even
now a sudden shout “hands up,” in the
hearing of that express messenger, will
send his hat up three feet from his head,
and his face and head will resemble the
“ All Seeing Eye” in the Mormon sign of
“ Holiness to the Lord,” on another page.
Immediately after the robbery, a reward of

 

Ox drivers on the plains are called ‘“‘bull-whack-
ers; mule drivers, ‘“‘mule skinners.”’

All persons, in the Territories, of mixed blood,
are called ‘tGreasers;’? ‘‘Peons’’ are Mexican
slaves. *