The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1892-01-08
STOP THE THIEF /!

Range Stock Owners Speak out On
the best Preventative Against
Cattle Rustling.
state Inspectors strongly Recommended.
Probably, never in the history OF the
Black Hills cattle business, has more
interest been manifested in any question,
than nat present exists over the prosecu-
ton OF Keliher and Hart, for alleged
branding OF cattle belonging to others.
The crowded court room, the presence
there OF our most reputable stockmen,
the yirulency Of public criticism on all
sides, all Indicate that public feeling is
f at Its very highest tension.
Taking advantage OF the opportunity
to converse with representative owners,
a UNION reporter sailed forth to inter-
view them on what they regarded the
best methods to pursue, in order to
checkmate cattle rustlers and to pro-
test the intsfests OF range cattle owRers
in the Hills generally.
Mr.. A. b. Cannon was first seen, and
although one OF our most extensive
horse breeders, he has had much exper-
lence with horned stock also. Mr.. Gam
mon is not an advocate OF lynch law,
holding that it is not conducive to good
morals and altogether disorderly and
against the law. Neither is he a believer
IN hall measures. But he does believe
in resolute effort on the part OF stock.
men to eradicate this evil, by organiza.
ton for mutual protection, ignoring all
such as are smirched with suspicion.
United and determined action will soon
remove the disturbing element. Boycott
them as it were. Then too Mr.. Cannon
strongly advocates the appointment Of
state inspectors at the chief markets
say at Omaha, Chicago and Sioux City
whose duties will be to look after the in.
terests OF South Dakota range stocknlen
at these points. These inspectors
would be furnished with a list OF all
brands and they could very easily 90
through and inspect all cattle in the
Yards at these places and report innne-
diately all suspicious cases.
The name OF Holcomb, always guard
ed with honor, has In Fred IL worthy
scion OF that highly respected family.
he was seen next and spoke with much
warmth on the subject, saying '"rhere is
no use in talking, we must organize
against the aggression OF cattle rustlers.
1t has reached the. point where tolera-
ton ceases. Just look at the court
records IN Johnson county, Wyoming,
where guilt was clearly proven In several
instances, yet a jury could not be found
that would convict. Such iuries are
wholly responsible for the present de-
plorabe state of affairs and let me lust
say that until you get men who realize
the enormity of the crime OF cattle steal
ing, yoa cannot hope for a change for
the better. The people must be made
to realize that our cattle mean our
money and that we are entitled to the
protection OF the law as much as any
other class OF citizens" Handing the
reporter a letter Mr.. Holcomb continu-
ed Look at that and say how you
would feel under the positive knowledge
that one OF your steers had been shipp-
ed into Chicago, sold there and the
money pocketed by another party. l
am in favor OF organization, secret if
necessary. l am not in favor of lynch
law, although the miscarriage OF justice
i'll cattle stealing cases, is enough TO
goad man on to desperation. heart
ily endorse the idea of state inspectors
being appointed at the different market
ing centers and hope the matter will be
attended to at the next session of the
legislature"
Charles II. Haxby, who is in town at
tending court, said ''Oh this cattle steal
ing business must be checked. 1t can be
checked by stockmen working to-
gether more than they have been doing.
Organization will effect a great deal.
Adverse public opinion will accomplish
much also, for the rustler will not per-
sst in his evil dong if he knows every
man Is against him. But it might not
be amiss to suggest that these range
stockmen be compelled to prosecute
every case that comes under their own
observation. The jury has considerable
to do in the premises. Teach your iuries
that cattle rustling is theft and educate
them up to proper standard OF moral
lty and you will haye accomplished all.
The laws should be enforced; they were
made to be enforced and why not do So
The proper authorities should see that
the butchers comply with the existing
laws in reference to the exposure OF
hides, keeping records OF cattle slaugh-
tered, etc. Enforce the laws and edu-
cate YOUR jurymen. I favor the APP
polntment OF state inspectors. The
idea is a first class one.'
S. p. Conrad facettously remarked
Discharge the guilty and convict the
innocent and you will bring about a
great REFORM" There Is really more to
this seemingly inconsistent saying than
the casual observer might think.
Mr. G. S. Congdon was invited to ex-
press his opinion, having had considera-
BILE experience also. Mr.. Congdon quite
strongly endorsed the idea OF organiza-
ton and favored the appointment OF
inspectors by the state authorities.
The Proposed Circuit
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