Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-10
A CATTLE WAR IN TEXAS.
NORTHERN OWNERS STOP THE
DRIVE FROM THE SOUTH.

41,OOO Head Held In Check by the OBJ
straetiOn Proceedings - An Appeal
Made to Commissioner of Agriculture
COlman-The BlOcIkaded Herds De-
clared to be Free from Disease,
WASHINGTON, July 9.-The following
was received this morning by the Com
missioner Of Agriculture:
"DODGE CITY, KAN, July s, 1885.
"HOn. Norman j. COlmQR, Commissioner
0f Agriculture:
"Nearly $4,000 cattle on the drive from
Texas to the Panhandle OF Texas and
Colorado have been foreiblv stopped and
prevented from passing over the common
trail for such cattle through the Indian
country, CherOkee's strip, and No Mans
Land, and are now stopped there by an
armed band of men In the pay of rival
cattle interests.
4l,OJO CATTLE, IN CHECK.
'These cattle comprise the herds Of J.
r. Blocker 1000 head. Pugsley Bros, &
Bowling 5000, J. W. Drisklll 10000,
II. S. Holly 1000, and John
T. Little G,000, all citizens of Colo
RADIO, Missouri, Kansas and Texas. These
cattle were purchased for speedy delivery
In Colorado and the Panhandle, and the
contracts for which are now expiring, or
have expired. All these cattle are sound
shd healthy, and from a district clear OF
disease. To further and in stopping
these cattle criminal proceedings have
been instituted by the complaint sworn
to by an irresponsible party at the sug-
gestiOn Of this rival interest, and we have
been doing our best to get trial and
have the same disposed Of.
LAw-ABIDING CITIZENS.
I'VE are law-abiding citizens, and
started our cattle north with a full
knowledge of the requirements of the
quarantine regulations of the several
States and Territories, and especially of
the State of Colorado, the only State or
Territory having quarantine regulations
IN which we proposed entering, and we
were careful to govern ourselves so that
we would not violate the laws of that
State. The opposition Is determined to
prevent and stop the progress of all these
herds, law or no law, and by force Other
herds from 400 miles further to the south
from Texas had previously passed over
the same trail without communicating
any disease, and these herds are the same
kind of cattle, from the same districts
which had been coming over the trail for
years, and about which no complaints
had been heretofore made.
THE INTERFERENCE UNJUsTIFIABLE.
eve claim that this is an unJustiiable
act with legitimate business and inter-
State commerce, rulnOus to every owner
concerned, and involving an extra ex-
pense of 5000 day, besides serious losses
on contracts, and with only hostile busi-
ness interest to subserVe and benefit,
with no public purpose to serve. We
beg that this may receive your
immediate attention, and that under the
large power given you you may direct
the Marshal or attorney of the district of
Kansas to see that these herds are not de-
tanned, but have the right not only to COM
plete their journey bur safe conduct from
ali hostile parties. You will know what
TO do better than we can suggest.
IMMEDIATE RELIEF WANTED.
"All we want is relief at once that we
may be protected, as we have the right to
demand and expect, and that we may not
be badgered aud pestered for private ends.
We are threatened that we shall not go
through distractions made by fences put
up in the Indian country,
Cherokee strip, or No Mans
Land regardless Of the good
condition of our cattle. We apply to you
as the proper officer from whom to obtain
speedy justice and deliverance, and If this
request should have been made TO any
other officer than YOURSELF would thank
you to aid us in preserving IL and pro-
curing the desired relief.
- II. BLOCKER, Texas.
"W. S. PUGsLEY, Colorado.
81, w. DRIsIIILL, Texas.
"JoHN 4. LETLE. Texas.
"GEoRGE EST, Texas.
sc. a. PUGsLEY, Missouri.
IN. BOWLING, Colorado.
I'll. >. HOLLY, Colorado.
IN. &. CAMPBELL, Texas.
''DENNIsON SULLIVAN, Colorado"