CONTINUED BY W.H. MILES


     We went on each other's bonds; and as the whole population of the new county was in bond to protect its interests, the new organization was a success under the watchful eyes of Judge Watts and Commissioner Bratt.

FIRST FARMING


     The first farming in the county was a failure.  WE planted some squaw corn and pumpkin seed, which soon gave promise of good returns for time and labor bestowed.  But one morning we heard bellowing in the field.  We gathered our cartridge belts and guns, then went to see what the intruder was.
     About one thousand buffalo had taken possession of our field.  We protested with a vengeance and brought down fifteen of those lordly brutes of the plains, but the entire crop of Frontier County was tramped out of sight for that year.  The squaws came out, butchered our game, and a feast followed the loss of our crop.

FIRST HERD OF CATTLE


     John Bratt built a ranch near where Curtis is now, one at Medicine Lake and one on Fox Creek, and brought in the first herd of cattle, which numbered many thousand head.  Cattle were sold, beef-fat off the nutritious buffalo grass, with no care or expense but rounding up and branding.  Every ranch stood open to all that came, so hospitable and free-hearted were those pioneers.  The cook would "rustle"  up a good meal, and when it was ready, he would sing out,  "Grub pile!"  And when the meal was over, all would sit around the fire, tell stories, sing songs until tired out, then sleep, perchance dream of the loved ones and their homes far away, that they had not seen for many long, weary years.

INDIAN OUTBREAK


     In 1871 there came very near being an Indian outbreak on the Medicine.  Chief Whistler and two of his braves started for Ft. McPherson.  While in camp, preparing some food they were discovered by three white men who were passing through and shot them in the back.  Then the bodies were taken and thrown in a canyon.  It was several days before they were found.  During this time the cowardly murderers had fled from the country.  The inhuman act so enraged the Indians that they would have killed all of us for revenge on the white people, had it not been for the great influence Hank Clifford held over them.

BUILD COURT-HOUSE


     After the organization of the county, we concluded to give up hunting and go to forming.  We were in doubt yet whether it would  pay or not, but determined to try; and in taking this initiatory

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