Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-01-02
After the Sheep Men.

For year or more 1t has been ques
ton with the cattle men whether they
should abandon the range in this part
of South Dakota to the sheep men or
whether they should maintain their
ground and keep the sheep out. 1t is
well known fact that no cattle can long
subsist on range where sheep are
herded to any great extent. and if both
are allowed to occupy the same range
the cattle will have to move or starve
to death, and it will be but few years
before the sheep will have to be moved,
as they haye not only ruined the range
for cattle but for themselves also and its
never good for either afterwards. 1t
was with this prospective condition Of
affairs before them that prompted the
cdttlemen and ranchers to organize for
their protection against the Invasion Of
sheep to their ranges that was becom-
ing more apparent every year. The
range in these two counties, Custer and
Fall River, is almost wholly occupied by
ranchers from fifty to few hundred
head each, and its business that's
gradually increasing. but with the ad-
vent Of sheep into their midst as is
threatened, not only themselves but
others who depend on this growing
stock business would soon have to move
out Wyoming isa fair sample Of the
destructive capabilities of sheep to cattle
grazing, and as consequence it is rapid
ly becoming barren and unfit for sheep
grazing.
Some time ago an organization was
affected and several punches of sheep
quietly turned back and those that were
already here before the organization
were given prescribed territory, and un-
less they confined themselves within
those limits they would be moved out
entirely. 1t was learned lately that H.
C. CroGord was slowly moving his large
bunch of sheep across the range and on
Monday last a representative meeting
of stockmen was held at John Apple
mans, four miles east of Buffalo Gap,
attended by about seventy five horse
men from Custer and Fall River coun-
ties, and fit hadn't been for the fact
that Mr.. Crotford had crossed the river
and was moying more rapidly to the
southwest he would probably haye been
helped along. At this meeting the
whole question was thoroughly discuss
ed, and while it was not intended to
work any hardship on the sheepmen, it
was the the unanimous vote Of the meet
ing that they should stand by their
ranges and not only prevent any more
coming onto or crossing their ranges,
but those already within their range
territory must keep within the prescrib.
ed lines which is sufficient for ten times
the amount Of sheep they have, where
they will be protected against other
sheepmeu and cattlemen as well. Com.
mittees were appointed to notify sheep
owners who are now occupying reser-
vations Of the action of the meeting.
The matter Of legislation on this much
perplexed question was also discussed
and several propositions presented, but
the one that seemed to be the most fav-
orable was to circulate petitions through
the free range portion of South Dakota
for signers petitioning the legislature to
pass law prohibiting the the herdinp
of stock of any kind within that terri
tory. 1t is quite probable that some
action vii! be taken in this matter al
once.-Buffalo Gap Republican.