score-keepers would record -- one -- two -- three -- four -- tally, etc., etc. It developed that about every other tap that the Irishman made, was with the smooth end of the hammer on a tie already marked or next to be marked. So that for a while the Union Pacific was receiving only about half the ties that they paid for. I did not learn whether the Irishman got fired or promoted, but he "sure" was making money for R. U. VanTassel while it lasted.

JIM KIDD'S TRAINING GROUND -- Y-CROSS AND CHERRY CREEK RANCHES

-- HENHY COUNTY HUGHES -- LITTLE MOON POST-OFFICE --

OELRICH'S WILD ESCAPADES

About four miles north of La Grange formerly was the old Y-Cross ranch. It is one of the oldest places in the country. It was built by the Daters early in the seventies, not long after those Texans had established the Sixty-six. Ben Morrison ran the ranch for the Daters, and it was under him that Jim Kidd became a wonderful rider. So wonderful indeed was his skill in the saddle that he traveled with Buffalo Bill's wild west show around the world, and finally he married one of the women riders of that aggregation. Lowe bought the place from Daters, and Hi Kelly once owned it. In 1888 it was a sort of a road house, where mighty poor meals were served for "six bits a throw." About 1900 it was bought by the Yoders, and is now the ranch of Yoder and Marsh.