This was considered pretty sharp practice, but it suited them and they became big chiefs and midecine men, and numerous dusky descendants grew up around them.
It is said that their property consists of extensive pasture lands on which they raise cattle, and that they always go well armed with pistol, rifle and riata.

It is said that some of the Indians undertook to claim that the Helms brothers were intruders, but that in some mysterious way accidents happened to most of them and they were left without any serious opposition.
They are very hospitable and entertaining to people who visit them, provided they do not know too much about the men or their former deeds or history.

In this case ignorance is bliss and it is folly, if not dangerous, to be too wise.

They have made no improvements, but live in about the same style as the Indians and about on a level with them morally and intellectually.
There may be those who know them well, but the writer only knows them by hearsay and introduces them as a certain type of character found in the early days.
As I was now about barefoot I went to town to look for boots or shoes.
There were no shoes, and a pair of the cheapest boots I found hanging at the door were priced to me at two ounces.

This seemed a wonderful sum for a pair of coarse cow-hide boots that would sell in the state for two dollars and fifty cents; but I had to buy them at the price or go barefoot.
While rambling around town I went into a round tent used as a gambling saloon.