The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1902-07-25
SHOOTING IN CHEYENNE COUNTY
Sheriff Burnum the Target for a
Concealed Marksman.
Quarrel Between the Dewey Cattle Com
Pany and the Berrys Grown serious
BY Use Of Guns-TroubIe
over Land Issue.

GAG4Lem6QE EeFdll6 IN GleFelLe
county over shooting at an officer Of the
Law. Friday Sheriff Burnum, Of Chsy-
enne county, with a foreclosure order-st-
tsching to a ehsttel mortgage on horses
owned by one OF the Berry boys, entered
the pasture Of Mr.. Berry to take the
mortgaged property. At distance op-
pOsite the sheriff vas q small grove. As
Burnum was rounding up the horses
three rife balls whistled past him, con-
ing from the direction Of the woods,
though whoever fired the shots was en-
tirely concealed among the trees.
Sheriff Burnum took the horses, how
ever. The report Of this threatening in
cident occasiOned considerable comment.
A lively rivalry having sprung up be
tween the Berry's and Deweys, It is
reported that the Deweys claimed the
shooting was done by the former. The
report received such confidence that
warrents we're sworn out for the Berrys.
But before they were put into effect the
Berrys got up an alibi, proving that, at
the time Of the shooting they were not
on the ground, but were, in travelling, at
different points in Rawlins county. The
Berrys claim the shooting was a con
cocted plan Of the Deweys to create dis
favor in their behalf AS yet the matter
Of aren't has been postponed.
For long time personal quarrel mas
existed between the Deweys and Berrys.
1t grew out of a business transaction
whereby d. p. Berry, farmer Of Raw
Inns county, mOrtgaged his claim 10 the
Deweys, who have large holdings Of
land and cattle, difficulty arising as to the
possession Of the land. This is the neu-
cleus Of the whole difficulty, aggravated
by the fact that both factions are en-
gagged in cattle raising and both own
considerable land in the same county.
The contention has become 50 bitter
that show Of firearms and prOmiscuous
shooting at least at some Of the Berrys
is alleged by them, though even D. P.
Berry, the old gentleman, who was
made target recently, says the men be-
hind the guns were always concealed.
Mr.. D. P. Berry, father Of two sons
who are associated with him, was il
! GOOdland this week and has been telling
some interesting and also thrilling sx-
periences Of the feud. In conversation
with a newspaper man this week, the
old gentleman talked freely, and con-
corning his own experiences, said
You have doubtless heard more or
less about our trouble with the DeWeys
in RawliDs county. Well, it is along
story and the Deweys are adopting
strong methods 10 run Us out Of the
country because we are in their way.
The Deweys are capitalists. They own
| large tracts Of land in Rawlins county,
and at the present time are ranging
about two or three thousand head Of
cattle in that region Of the countTys
Their cattle are permitted TO run at
/ large without consideration Of the land
rights Of other people, and they only
round up their cattle once IN two or
three months.
"But I started to tell you about how !
was shot at while 1 was going to get my
mail at the pOstOfice- With my horse
and cart I was travelling along the pub
lie road and when about two miles from
the Office 1 was suddenly surprised to
hear q ball pass not far from me. ]
looked about, but could not locate the
spot from which it came. I drove on
and presently another whistled BY me
and a little closer, 1 thought, than the
former. The last shot enabled me 70
locate the origin Of the shooting. Be
hind a clump OF bushes and grass,
could see the rife barrel protruding, but
the man was 60 concealed as not to per
NIT me to recognize him 1 had no de-
sire, however, 70 approach for inTesigs-
ton, but went straight ahead, thinking
/ It 10 worse to proceed than 70 retreat.
But before / could drive away from
: this ticklish situation two or three more
shots came close enough to send the
shiFers up my back.
RWhen 1 arrived at the POstofiee and
got my mail, Chauncey Dewey, who Is
p postmaster there at Pentheka, came Up
to me from the rear. tapped me on the
: shoulders and said:
M Berry you ana are Dol Lrlsnl1
p any longer. want you to get Of Of
this place just as quick as you can, and
never let me see you here again.
S Though in that place Is the PostOfics
Of the government, yet have not Jet re-
turned. Ny son had a closer call than.
s recently
Mr. d. p. Berry came to GOOdia1c
{ especially to see Attorney I. ". Colby
: Of Beatrice, Neb. who, years ago, vas 3
school mate Of Mrs Berry's. Mr. Bsru