Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-05-02
TROUBLE IN WESTERN KANSAS.

dispatch from Wichita to the ST. Louis
Republic, Monday, gives all account OF serious
trouble in western Kansas, between farmers
and ranchmen. Frank Rockefeller, son of the
Standard Oil magnate, is arning and support
ing the farmers, while Chauncy Dewey, son of
a Chicago capitalist, is directing the war for
1.-The ranchnen.
The trouble grew out of dispute over grass
privileges. The ranchmen have encroached
on the settlers until only few farmers remain
in Rawlins Sherman and Cheyenne counties.
Many settlers have refused to sell their farms,
and the ranchmen ale fencing h,m in so they
have no outlet Public highways are not re-
spec'ed.
The trouble has already reached such stage
that armed companies of settlers are riding the
country, looking for owners of the big ranches,
and it is likely that the state militia will be
called ont to preserve order.
All vf the farmers and cowboys have quit
work, and a-e patrollng their fences Every
cxpress train into the counties carries arms and
ammnnition, and fight is expected at any
time.
In the early days of northwestern Kansas,
thousands of settlers came here and took home
steads. Many of them left after the boom
collapsed, but a good percentage remained and
proved up. About five years ago, big cattle
men from other sections began to drift in and
establish ranches. Cowboys employed to
impose upon the farmers by such actious as
cutting their fences and driving herds over
growing fields. In return, the farmers poison
cutie.
wood opened war on the c. P. Dewey ranch
Saturday. Frank Rockefeller, who bought out
several bankrupted farmers, acquired $4,000
acres in Rawlins county. This was in the
midst OF 900 tract owned by the Dewey
syndicate. Rockefeller refused to sell out, and
accordingly, his ranch was fenced in.
Saturday, Rockefeller's followers were neav-
lily armed. They rode up to the Dewey ranch
house aud drove all the cowboys out of the
community and ordered young Dewey himself
to leave. The cowboys showed fight, and sew
eral rounds OF ammunition were exchanged,
but without serious effect.
Secret organization has been effected by the
settlers in the various communities, and arms
and ammunition have been issued to each mem
ber Nearly every broncho- buster and settler
now goes armed to the teeth.
And while this is going on, the beef trust is
busy in, congress, helping the cattle barons to
obtain lot OF western lands for nothing, or
next to nothing. Their plan is to obtain from
congress lsw providing fol- the leasing of the
public lands in the Western states. The bill
proposes that the big livestock men and specu-
lators sh Ill have the privilege of leasing all Of
the public grazing lands for the nominal sum
OF two cents all acre for period of ten years,
with the privilege OF renewal of the lease.
Some very prominent men in congress
pushny the scheme, and those who have the
/, best interests of the country at heart must do
SINE v ry quick and vigorous work, or the
cnrir b rons, backed by the beef trust, will
coon have control of all of the available graz
mo lands OF the country, and at a merely nom-
;ral hgure-which practically means robbery
of the whole people.