The Topeka state journal., 1903-06-12


The feud in northwestern Kansas
which resulted in the killing of three set
tiers by the Dewey ranchmen last week
and the wounding Of two more is not
only between the Deweys and the set
tiers in Rawlins, Cheyenne and adloin-
ing counties, but the DeWeys- are also
opposed by no less person than the
millionaire ranchman, Frank RockeIel-
Ter. brother of the Standard Oil mag
nate.
The trouble between the Dewey and
Rockefeller ranchmen became so fierce
several months ago that Mr. Rockefel-
Ter himself came in person to talk IL
over fifth Governor Bailey ana present
his side Of the case to the governor
The three men who are under arrest
charged with the murder of the Berryss
are Chauncey Dewey manager OF tns
ranch: Clyde Wilson, the bookkeeper.
and W. J. Mcbride, one of the ranch
men,
Dewey is the son of c. P. Dewey. the
Chicago millionaire cattleman. who has
large holdings at Manhattan. He Is well
educated and is said to be every inch a
gentleman. so far as appearances 90,
but is also a man of Will power and as
serts what he believes to be his rights
His ranchmen and cowboys almost WOr-
ship him and will do whatever he bids
He has 4 fine library at his ranch head
quarters in RaWlins county. It is said
that he has an ambition to have the
largest ranch in Kansas, and this amnl-
tiOn seems to be largely responsible for
. the feud which exists in the northwest
Clyde Wilson is Salina boy Ht
served with distinction in the Twentietk
Kansas, coming home as first sergeant
of Company NJ. He was popular a Sa-
lima and before he reached home Witr
his regiment his friends were booming
him for the Republican nomination for
sheriff of Saline county. but he was de-
feated He served for some time as as
sistant city marshal of Salina and went
to Rawlins few months ago to become
bookkeeper on the Dewey ranch
Mcbride, the third man who is arrest
ed for the murder. was formerly a sol
der in the regular army. serving in tbs
Sixteenth artillery until he was muster
ed out of the service.
When the Siegel-Sanders Commission
company failed in Kansas City in 1901.
Frank Rockefeller, who was perhaps its
principal creditor was compelled ~
take the Glover ranch in Rawlins coun-
ty from the assets Of the commission
company. This is a ranch Of 1880
acres Immediately adjoining the Dewey
ranch on the north. Since then there
has been all sorts of trouble between
the two ranchers, and it reached the
/ point last winter that Afr- Rockefeller
came to Governor Bailey and asked
/ him to take some sort Of executive ac-
ton in the matter. fling with the gov
! ernor number of affidavits- Governor
Bailey referred the affidavits to Attor-
nev General Coleman, who returned
them with the opinion that it was
matter for judicial and not executive
action. Consequently Governor Bailey
did nothing in the matter, but he has
been making inquiries about it from
everyone from that part Of the state
LAS near as can learn" said TIE
governor today in speaking Of the mat
ter. the settlers up there have the idea
that the Deweys. while they do not
/ overstep the bounds Of the law. do ev-
/ erything they can to harass the set
tiers. I do not know whether this Is
true but that seems to be the impress
sion. and it has set all the settlers
/ against the Deways. For instance. as e
is told to me. the Deweys will get hold
Of a defauited mortgage on piece OF
Hand. forec1ose it and then eject the
former owners. which. Of course, stirz
up feeling against them"
The affidavits which Frank Rockefel-
Ter left with the governor indicate that
the trouble between the Dewey and the
Rockefeller ranchmen is also bcrderins
on serious ground. There ara four Of
these affidavifs One is by Percy F.
Walden. manager of the Rockefeller
ranch. and the other three are by Mr..
Roekefeller's attorneys, Fred Robert
son Of Atwood A. F. Evans, now judge
lof the circuit court in Kansas City. no;
land p. P. Finley Evans former part
ner. Mr. Wa1den's affidavit sets forth
{ the troubles between the Rockefellel
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