Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-22
PASSING OF THE RUSTlER.
The Hustitng Western Character
Nearly "A "Reminiscences.

SiltillbSi J - D,, rev. io'- If &c
~ientless warfare OF the large cattle COM
panies against the cattle "rustlers" has
practically put a stop 10 the wholesale
stealing in the northwestern portion OF
the state which was so prevalent a few
years ago on all parts of the range.
The large companies find that il pays
to combine and maintain associations.
which regularly employ detectives 10
watch for thieves. and so v~igilant are
these detectives tina. il is a difficult
matter for rustlers to steal ever a single
steer without being apprehended and
punished. In case of conviction no mer-
cy - shown. Ii is current ak on some
parts OF the range that many a man
who today owns a few hundred or Ven
a few thousand head of cattle, increased
his herd from a dozen head to twenty
times h a humble in a very short time,
n so many were in years past impli-
Gated in his wholesale appropriation
hat men who got into the tolls Of the
law could call upon some wealthy and
influential friend nearby and reques.
financial assistance With an assurance
thar II would not be denied.
Now that the large companies have
detectives employed il il difficult for
stockmen owning compare lively small
herds to increase the number of their
cattle by the same methods which some
pf the now powerful companies were ac-
customed 10 resort Ia during the first
years OF their experience in the CATTLE
raising business. ON parts of the range
where there are still a great many small
some complaint is still heard
Of the confscation OF cattle. As an in
stance the cattlemen of the White river
region complain that the Medicine creek
stockmen are accustomed when in that
'egion after stray cattle, to drive off, in
addition to their own stock. cattle be-
longing to the White river ranchmen.
White river forms the northern boun-
dairy Of the Rosebud indian reserva-
ton, upon which cattle belonging to
white stockmen are now permitted to
Craze. 1t frequently happens that cattle
escape from the herders and drift to-
ward White river, and. and if not stop
ped, ford the stream to feed on the lux
uriant grasses growing on The Indian
lands. When stock from the Medicine
creek ranges stray towards White river
the stockmen there have been accus-
toned To hold it until the owners or
their herders appear. when the cattle
are delivered To them. Therefore when
some of the Medicine creek cattlemen,
In addition to their own stock make a
practice Of driving away from one TO a
dozen head of cattle belonging TO the
White river stockmen at a time. natur-
ally angers them, and they now
threaten to retaliate by hiding
all stray cattle from the Medicine
creek region that wander TO their sec
ton, or permit them To cross 20 the
Rosebud reservation, where the Indians
would promptly seize and hold them un-
I'll exorbitant charges for keeping them
were paid. In some quarters the Ques-
ton is being agitated Of securing the
consent Of congress to the appointment
of a commission to negotiate for The
opening To settlement OF a strip OF The
Rosebud reservation. lying south OF
White river, or 10 pass a law authoriz-
ing the agent at any Indian agency 10
lease any portion of the reservation no:
allotted 10 the Indians. and apply the
proceeds 20 the use and benefit Of the
indians. This, it Is argued. would ben
eft the Indian as well as the settler.
The s,ockmen claim that there are
thousands OF acres of the finest grass
and going to waste every year tina
might be leased from the Indians IL
there was a law authorizing IL. As
matters now are. the grass annually
goes up in smoke, together with the
young timber along the rivers and
creeks.