The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-19
TROUBLES OF THEIR OWN I.
War Between Sheep and Cattle
Men in the Ruby Valley.
TRYING TO COMPROMISE
Two Hundred Sheep Killed by Men
Hidden in the Timber - Public
Schools Opened-Short Ses-
sion OF District Court.


Special Correspondence of the Standard.
Virginia City, Sept. 1.-THE sheep
and cattle men of the Ruby valley like
everybody, have troubles of their own.
Their most recent trouble, however,
seems to be confined to a small sized
war which has been progressing for
the last three months between them
selves. About two months ago a band
of sheep owned by the Ruby Valley
Sheep company, which is Beaverhead
county organization, were shot into
with rifles by men who are supposed TO
be representatives of the cattle owners,
who had hidden in the brush close to
where the sheep were being herded,
and at their first opportunity opened
fire, killing between $50 and 200 head.
The men who had charge of the sheep
became frightened and left for Dillon,
walking across the hills, a distance of
about 80 miles, and informing their en-
ployers of their loss J. NJ. oliver, who
is manager of this company, accom-
panied by Charles Hill, under sheriff of
Madison county, left Immediately for
the scene of the trouble, but on reach
ing their camp they found that they
would be unable to obtain information
sufficient to convict, or even warrant
the arrest of anyone, and after re-
manning in that locality for a day or
two they returned home. The herders
were sent back, accompanied by a
number of men armed and prepared
for trouble. The sheep were rounded
up and kept on the same range and
matters We're quieted temporarily, but
their trouble did not end here. Last
Saturday the sheep war was resumed
A number of men, hidden in the timber
as they We're on the previous attack,
shot into a band of thoroughbred
They killed about so and wounded
many more. Mr.. Oliver passed through
Virginia the first of the week en- route
to the sheep camp, and hopes to arrive
at some satisfactory agreement with
the cattle men whereby his company's
sheep will be allowed to remain on the
range in the future unmoleSted.
Many of the residents of Virginia are
in attendance at the Twin Bridge agri-
cultural fair and racing association
which is now in progress in that city
One of the interesting features of the
meeting will be the live pigeon shoot
which occurs to-day-Sunday. The Nir-
ginia City Rod and Gun club left for
the Bridges Saturday evening and ex-
poets to participate in the shoot.
The public schools of Virginia opened
last Monday morning. Miss Nela
Grimes is principal Miss Louise Jones
of Iowa has charge of the intermediate
department, and Mss Flora duncan
will teach the pupils of the primary
room. Miss Grimes and Miss Duncan
taught in the Virginia schools last
year and gave excellent satisfaction.
Miss Jones comes higly recommended
as teacher from her home at Cedar
Rapids, Iowa.
After a very busy but short SEES on
II Do
court Tuesday evening. Most of the
important cases which were set for
this term of court were continued to
the December term and on account OF
the fact that this is a busy time OF the
year with the ranchmen, as well as
nearly every one else, no jury was
called The following matters were
settled: o. F. Howe eft al. VS.. George
D. Smell to cancel contract; judgment
for defendant Cora NJ. Pote VS..
Joseph A. Pote, divorce; divorce grant
ed plaintiff, also custody of minor chl-
dren. Robert n. Hawkins VS.. Edward
Allen, unlawful detainer; judgment
rendered plaintiff by default. Alphonse
Goddu VS.. Albert Nadeau ct al, breacn
of contract; plaintiff submitted proof
and defendant moved non-suit. which
the court sustained. Henry kJllng VS..
Sanders Word, promissory note; 1udg-
ment rendered plaintiff. o. f; ana
Winnie P. Wright were granted per-
mission to adopt Elisha johnson,
minor. The will of Moses B. Dupuis
was proved; letters Parliamentary were
issued to Hardinee Dupuis, administra-
trix.
The Alder Gulch Times, in its en-
larged form, made it's appearance in
Virginia City last Monday. 1t is six
column, eight-page paper, published
weekly, by r. A. Vickers and Fred
Gibson. Politically the Times Will be
democratic.
During the past week the Meier
brothers sold to Idaho stockmen their
entire herd of cattle, with the excep-
ton of a bunch of thoroughbreds rang
ing in the Ruby and Red Rock valleys.
The herd numbered about l, 300, and the
price paid was $3.50 per head. This
bunch of cattle is considered to be one
of the best in Montana.