Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-10-23
MEMPHIS TENNESSEE: WEDNESDAY EVENING OCTOBER s 1872

sary for a resort 10 some other means
than those tried for so many years.
Atlast one bold, daring spirit proposed
a plan which, while within the strict let
ter Of the law, provided for sufficient
organization to carry out his design.
John Hitson, native OF Tennessee, but
an emigrant at an early age to Palo.
Pinto county, who had been successful
beyond most men in the cattle business,
and had experience both in defending
his own property and that of others
against these marauding thieves, ard
who had suffered losses by them, pro-
posed to his friends and neighbors. and
other cattle men along the border, to
organize a sufficient force to defend their
legal acts, and at his own expense to re-
claim the stolen stock il they would fur
nish him written power of attorney to
represent them in the civil courts. This
proposal met with favor from all inter
ested, and il is said that Hitson has
nearly two hundred Of these powers
OF attorney" When the statement is
made that Hitson is now the owner of
nearly one hundred thousand cattle, two
hundredto three hundred head of horses,
and other stock in proportion, and that
his losses have exceeded fifty thousand
head in the last eight years, it will
be seen that he has considerable
personal, pecuniary interest in the
success Of the enterprisei add to this
long experience in border struggles
with all classes, fierce encounters with
Comanches, Kiowas and Apaches, the
results of when he carries in eight ar
row wounds; the loss Of relatives, friends
and employees in these encounters; an
indomitable will, great personal strength
and endurance, with ample resources, he
possesses combination of qualities that
cannot fail to carry it through to sue
cessful termination. The results thus
far are the reclamation of nearly five
thousand head of stock with a good
prospect Of doubling the number within
the next three months The outfit
consists of three parties, numbering
eighty men each, and provided with one
hundred and twenty horses, wagons,
tents, and complete camp equipage
They have met with considerable oppo-
sition, as q matter Of course, from some
with whom they come in contact. lu
several cases stubborn resistance was
offered, and some blood was shed, but in
the main the respectable Mexicans, who
innocently or otherwise, had become
purchasers of stolen cattle, either gave
up the property entirely or were willing
to compromise. In many cases, on
hearing Of the vicinity Of Hitson's men,
the stolen stock were run into the noun
tains and slaughtered for their hides.
In all cases the influence Of the origi-
nator and prime mover has been to pre-
vent any disturbance, relying entirely
on peaceful legal means to attain the
object, but determined not to submit to
the endless delays and annoyances here
tofore placed in the way Of reclaimlng
the property stolen along the border. 1t
has been service full of danger and
excitement but the compensation is
great ia breaking up and rendering pow
erless these bands that have hitherto
had full sway in preying on the almost
defenceless settlers. The enterprise has
had moral effect that can only be real
lied by those who are personally &C:
quainted with the circumstances. The
United States troops have done all in
their power to assist in the work, but the
small number at the different posts, and
their great distances apart, make it
almost impossible for them TO do what
they are perfectly willing to do. 1t is
only the Independent movements of such
bodies as John Hitson has organized
that can effect the desired result.