The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1864-08-20
CONTRABAND STOCK,

CONTRABAND STOCK.
At a meeting of the citizens of Morris
county, held in pursuance of notice, at
Bernstein's new building, on Tuesday even
ing, August 9th, 1864, on motion of w.
B. Harrel, r. NJ. light was chosen Chair
man and R. B. Lockwood Secretary.
The object Of the meeting was stated to
be to have an expression of the citizens Of
Morris county in relation to driving into
the county contraband and stolen stock
from the Indian country, Arkansas and
Texas. The meeting was briefly addressed
by Capt. Lard, l. Sharp and others.
On motion it was ordered that com.
mittee of three be appointed to memorable
Maj. Gen. Blunt, commanding this Dis
trict, demonstrating against this place being
made rendezvous for stolen and contra
band stock, and invoking the aid of the
military authorities in putting stop to this
illegal trade. The Chair appointed r. B.
Lockwood, W. 3. Harrel and w. d. Rail
said committee.
On motion of G.. Nj. Simcock it was
Resolued, That the citizens of Morris
county are opposed to and condemn the
acts of all persons in their driving into this
county all species of Southern stock from
Texas, Arkansas and the Indian country
south of Kansas, and that we will unite
and assist in enforcing the laws of the
State against any parties who may be en-
gagged in so doing.
Mr.. Sharp offered an amendment, ex-
empting such persons as shall purchase that
kind of stock at Government sales, and
have bill of sale from some competent
officer for the same. The vote being taken
on the amendment, it was lost. The orig
inal motion was then adopted by large
majority.
On motion it was ordered that the pro
ceedings of this meeting be furnished the
Council Grove Press and Junction City
UNION for publication. Meeting adjourned
r. B. LOCKWOOD, Sec'y.
COUNCIL GROVE, KAN, Aug. 4, 'G4.
EDITOR PREss-Dear SIR: Being called
on for some remarks at the meeting which
was called on Tuesday evening for the pur-
pose cf getting the sentiments of the citi-
zens of this county iu regard to bringing
stock into our midst from Arkansas, Texas,
and the Indian Territory south of US 4; and
uot-having the gift Of CAB that some men
have, | wish to say few words to the pub
lie through your valuable paper.
In the first place, it is violation of law
to drive, or cause to be driven, such stock
into or through the State at this season of
the year. And in the second place, it cer-
tainly is wrong to encourage the Indians
and Negroes in stealing the stock and run
ming it into the southern part of our State,
by going to their place of refuge and buy
ing of them. 1t is true there are men
making money by the operation, and I
should think man could make money buy
ing cattle at the price that Dir. A. A.
Moore told me the other day he was offered
cattle at. He said a man offered short
time since to deliver a lot of good cattle at
his Ranch on the Cottonwood, for So per
per head. | think be said the calves to
be thrown in Cor good measure). Now,
tAis man must get has cattle ge,y cheap;
but to come to the point will state what |
have been told by an eyewitness that is,
that there are men in the southern part of |
Kansas, who Pay Indians and negroes SO
much per head for cattle, OF rather indirect.
ly hire parties to venture further south than
they are willing to 60 themselves, and run
the cattle up into Kansas, and the second
party sells to the third-and l suppose they
can afford to sell them cheap-and the sec
ond gives the third party, in some instances
a bill of sale, or rather permit to pass on
with the cattle, the permit sigoed as pro-
vost marshal or something of the kind !; Il T
am told that nearly every man that has
cattle to sell is provost marshaD, and the
last party tries to think be has good title,
come BY them honestly, &c. Now this
may be all right, but cannot see it in that
light, and am opposed to the operation
and here l take the liberty to say, that
there is not half dozen men in our county
Who are not opposed to it, and for two
reasons. and I think three: first. We are