The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-10
TROUBLE ON TIE CATTLE TRAIL.
Owners of Detained Herds Ask Commissioner
Coman to Interfere in Their Behalf.

WASHINGTON, July 9-The following telegram
was received here this morning by the Commits
sioner Of Agriculture:
"DODGE Cry. Kan. July 8.
NEARLY so, 900 cattle on the drive from Texas
to the Panhandle OF Texas and Colorado have
been forcibly stopped and prevented from pass
ing over the common trail for such cattle through
the Indian country-the Cherokee strip and No
mans land-and are now stopped there by an
armed band of men, in the pay of a rival cattle
interest. These cattle comprise the herds of j.
X. Blocker, 1000 head Pugsley Brothers d
bowling, 5000; J. W. Drisco 10000 II. S.
Holly, 1000. and John I. Little 5000. All
Kansas and Texas. These cattle were purchased
for special delivery in Colorado, in
the Panhandle, the contracts for which
are now expiring or have expired;
All these cattle are sound and
healthy, and from district clear of diseases.
10 further aid in stopping these cattle there,
criminal proceedings have been instituted by q
complaint sworn to by irresponsible parties, at
the suggestion of this rival interest We are
law-abldlng citizens and started our cattle north
with a full knowledge of all the requirements Of
the quarantine regulations of the several States
and Territories especially of the State Of Colo
RADIO, the only State or Territory having quaran-
tine regulations in which we pro posed 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. have previously
passed over the same trail without commun-
eating any disease, and these herds are the same
KIND OF cattle, from the same districts. They
had been coming over the trail for years, and
about which no complaints had been heretofore
made. We claim this is an unjustifable inter
ference with our rights, runous to every owner
concerned and involving an extra expense of
S9OO day, besides being a source Of loss on
contracts. with only hostile business interest
to subServe and benefit with no public purposes
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 the attorney of the District of Kan
not detained, but have the right not only to COM
plete their journey, but safe conduct from all
hostile parties. You will know what to do bet
ter than we suggest. 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 and pestered for private ends.
We are threatened that we shall not go through
the distractions made by fences put up in the
Indian country, the Cherokee strip or No-man's
land, regardless of the good condition of our
cattle. We apply to you as the proper officer
from whom to obtain speedy justice and deliver
ance, and if this request should have been made
to any other officer than yourself, we would
thank you TO aid us in presenting it and pro
curing the desired relief.
81 Il. BLOCKER, Texas.
wv. S. PUGSLEY, Colorado.
VI W. DRIsKoLL, Texas.
JOHN T. LYTTLE Texas.
GEO. WEST Texas.
&c. A PUGSLEY, Missouri.
"E. N. BOWLING, Colorado.
I'll S. HOLLY. Colorado
IN. c. CAMPBELL, Texas
s'DENNISON SULLIVAN, Colorado"