Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-23
EAGER FOR AFIGHT
Rifles in Demand by Wyo-
ming's unarmed Farmers
FEAR is QUITE GENERAL
A Reign OF Terror Exists Because Of the
RustIes Troublcs-No One's Lie
Considered Safe.


The command Of three troop Of cavalry
under Maj. Frechet Of the Sixth. es-
corting the invaders " Douglas, en-
camped st ogAllala ranch. miles from
Antelope Springs. where they arrived
Wednesday night and laid over Thurs
day. They LETT Fort Mckinney 90 the
18th. inte ndipg TO make the trip
In seven days. but bad roads will
delay them two or three days A
terrible storm of snow. sleet and
wind opened as the party started and
continued unabating until Thursday
morning. when the day broke clear
and fair. While the command was
preparing 10 leave Fort Mckinney
mounted party rode to the telegraph
line between Buffalo and Douglas and
cut the wires and pulled down poles
between almost all stations, and not
till Thursday morning was communics-
ton reesta tablished.
Tampcred with the Wires.
The Inv aders tampered with the wires
when Il was TO their advantage 20 have
messages stopped. When the governor
.elegraphed to call ont the military
there was no secret 20 Keep from the
people. All this time the wire worked
hot and did not go down until orders
had been issued to the troops to hold the
prisoners at the post. Then the wire
was cut, but allowed to be repaired
again for an order to come 70 take the
prisoners to the railroad. IL was
critical time when the public learned
that tho invaders would be taken away
and that the sheriff had been ordered
to give up the prisoners. The people
feel very sore, but they obey the sd-
vice of their leaders and there Will be
no demonstration.
Everything is reported quiet in Buff
falo but great interest is manifested in
the disposition of the prisoners. Maj.
Wolcott, in command of the invaders.
said he was misinformed and did not
know there were so many people in the
county. Their only mistake was not
being in sufficient force, bat they would
be back again with plenty of men and
get all these people yet.
Rifles Are Ia Demand.
The cattlemen evidently thought it
would be an easy matter TO turn immi-
grafton away from this locality and
threw the country back again into an
open stock range. As their bold, open
handed raid proved disastrous,
they are expected to return To
the striking-from-behind system. Every
farmer viii be afraid to stay on his
ranch, If the assassins regain their lib
erty. A year ago there was not a fire.
arm TO scare resident Now every tn-
armed granger willingly exchanges
his plow or thrashipg machine
for a rifle. A year ago one could
the prairie without fear. At night be-
fore the lamps are lighted every win
dow is shaded and doors are barred.
One man cannot be induced to travel
the highways alone for fear of an am
bush. Not that all the people are cat
tie rustlers. but that war has been
made upon the settlers and they know
not who are next upon the death list
Appeal TO the President
The evening Of the 10th, when the
troops were ordered TO escort the cat
tlemcn to Cheyenne. an open letter
from the people to the president was
framed and fled al the telegraph Office
at Buffalo. but ~as only transmitted
Thursday owing 10 the wires being
down. IL is signed by the chair
man OF the board of county
commissioners. the acting mayor
of Buffalo, the county treasurer
the county clerk and a number of
other prominent citizens of Buffalo and
asks the president 10 receive commit
tee of citizens which will be delegated
to lay before him the facts concerning
the recent trouble between cattlemen
in that section OF the state. The tele-
gram states that. contrary TO all law.
an armed body of capitalists entered
their country with the avowed
intention of taking possession Of
and controlling the same In their
own interests. and that it is bclieved
their aim was 10 terrorize and depopu-
late the country. and IL need be TO
murder all who resisted. The tele-
gram states that the citizens of the
county have been greatly maligped and
their motions and actions misrepre-
scntcd by the friends of these law
breakers. and in justice TO themselves