The Bad Lands cow boy. [volume] (Little Missouri, Dakota [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-1886, 1885-01-22
The Herd Law

The future actions Of the legislature
are rather hard to bank on, but Of one
think there is a certainty The writer
of this article has personally interviewed
a large number of the legislators, and to
man, SO far as interviewed, they were
in favor of repeal of the herd law ann
the establishment Of a fence law. Espe-
cially are the Hills members in favor Of
this and, as being the only place in Da-
kota where the herd Law, is abolished and
a fence law established, it will be we'll to
cA mine its operation. The whole coun-
try surrounding the Hills and up into
the foothills is first class agricultural
country. It is also a. good stock
country, and the conflict between agri-
cultural and stock interests now liable
to happen! at any time here, was there
solved long ago. The herd law was
made imperative, and the fence law es-
tablished. Under this law each farmer
must enclose his ranch with a fence con-
sisting of four boards, OF wires, securely
nailed to posts net over eight feet apart.
The law works perfectly, and from many
conversations. in the Hills we believe
that there is not man there who would
vote for the repeal Of the fence law. Of
course, it brings more expense on the
farmer at the outset, but all agree that
the fences far more than pay for them
selves. They are an almost certain pro-
lection against the depretlations of stock,
they Immediately enhance the value. of
the property enclosed more than the first
cost of the fence, in many ways they en-
courage the farmer in traits Of economy
and neatness, and, especially to the one
accustomed to the unbouilde,l wheat
fields of the rest of Dakota, e7 lend all
indescribable charm to the country that
can only be explained by the presence of
fences. H. .sssi n, W.. u; EE
If this law is applicable to the Hills
country, how much more should it apply
to the Bad Lands? This is pre-emi-
nently q stuck country, and not an ag-
ricuitural country. The Hills country is
far better for farming than it is for
stock. ;fys IA *, 800 .5
Then, under the present herd law, it is
perfectly simple thing for any evil dis
posed person to start an sxIO garden
patch, get cattle tO run over it and cincll
the owner Of the stock many times the
amount of the damage. This is a Sc
riOus drawback to the growth Of the
stock industry, and something that coll-
Germs every citizen Of Dakota, who is
looking toward Dakota's advancement.
The stock interests in her borders are
already large, but under proper laws
they will be vastly larger. n. # e
AS far as We are concerned, we think
it would be altogether better in the end
TO establish a fence law for the whole
west Missouri country. This, however,
would entail hardship on many poor set
tiers, although among those who can af-
afford 1t. and view the matter from an
unbiased standpoint, admit that fence
law is better than a herd law. a.
There is certainly serious opposition in
many agricultural quarters against the
fence law, but this OppOsit ton iii no way
affects us, as the Bad Lands is Il unit ii,
desiring it. We in the Bad Lands could
Hills.
Il is . matters that concerns Us Il alons
Will benefit the Bad Lands largely. can
harm no one, and best Of all, va think
will be in operation here before this leg.
lislntnre adjourns. ~
The move to establish d fence law fol
the whole west Missouri cOlIiffra is the
cause OF The only opposition To- its adop,
tien here. Y should be atlOpted here
part Of the country, and the problem viii
solve itself in time. .,sss