CHAPTER XXIV. 



BUFFALO HUNTING ON THE TEXAS PLAINS. 



HE " Texas boom" was at its 

 height in 1876, and there was 

 a grand rush of emigrants of 

 all nationalities and conditions 

 of people to the then New Eldo- 

 rado. Thousands of men went 

 down there to make money. Many 

 ;>f them had not the remotest idea 

 low this was to be done, but from 

 te glowing stories afloat regarding 

 the resources of that wonderful coun- 

 y, they felt sure it could be done in 

 some way. The little town of Fort Worth was then 

 on the frontier that is, it was one of the most 

 westerly towns having railroad communication, and 

 was therefore one of the important outfitting points 

 for parties going into the wilds. A great many 

 were going further west, on all kinds of expeditions, 

 some in search of minerals, some in search of choice 

 lands, some to hunt the large game which was then 

 abundant. 



The village consisted of a public square, around 

 and fronting on which were a row of cheap, one- 

 story, log and frame buildings, most of which were 

 occupied as saloons and gambling houses. But 



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