The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-05
THAT ST. FRANCIS FEUD
Berry and Dewey Versions Of
the Fight.

st. Francis, Kan. June 5.-Reports re-
ceived from the scene OF the tragedy in
the south part Of this county seem to
indicate that the Dewey cattlemen went
to the Berry cattle ranch and killed
three.
The dead.
E. NJ. BERRY, owner Of the ranch.
A. J. BERRY.
G. A. BERRY.
MOrtally wounded:
Z. F. Berry.
Seriously wounded:
Sam Berry.
All these were sons Of E. NJ Berry.
The Berry version OF the matter is
that three of them were working in the
field, and two of them at the house, all
mena with Chauncey Dewey at their
head, rode up and deliberately attempt
ed to kill them all. Dewey claims that
they went over to get a water tank that
belonged to the land, that the Berrys
opened fire on them and they did the
killing in seIf-defense.
There has been a bitter feeling be-
tween the Berrys and Dewey for years
About two years ago the Deweys com
nenceQ to acquire title to all the land
they could in the southeast part of this
county, and the adjoining corner Of
Rawlins, Sherman and Thomas counties
They would buy the settlers out where
they could, and ii they would not sell,
they are said to have harassed and an
noyed them by letting their cattle run
over and destroy their crops, and having
them arrested on trumped up charges
and suing them for money they could
not hope to collect till the settler had
to either move out or fight. The Berrys
are among the few who have stayed
with their homes. and have been in con-
tinual litigation.
The coroner,s jury finds that Chaun-
cey Dewey, from behind a sod wall,
killed one Of the Berrys and MORALLY
wounded another and that the Berrys
We're absolutely unarmed.
Sheriff McCuloch wires from Atwood
that he has Dewey and his crowd under
arrest.
THE DEWEY VERSION
The State Journal has received the
following communication from Chaun-
cey Dewey:
Atwood Kan. June 5.-The sheriff of
Cheyenne county advertised to sell at
sherif's sale personal property under
attachment consisting of a windmill and
watering tank. This sale occurred on
June ?. Tom Lebow, Al Winchip, and
VIII Day, Oak ranch employees attended
the sale Tor the purpose OF bidding on
the property. They purchased water
tank, paid the sheriff for the same and
took his receipt and an order to pro-
cure the property during this sale. The
Berry boys challenged the ranch en-
ployes and ordered them to leave and
intimated that the man who was seen
in that vicinity would be killed The
Berry boys then drew their guns and
compelled the ranchmen to abandon the
premises. On the afternoon of Wednes-
day June 3. Deven of the ranch en-
plOyes, sent after the tanks which they
had purchased at the sale but before
approaching the premises upon which
the property was located two men were
sent to the Berry residence located
short distance from the property sold at
sheriff sale and asked for permission to
procure the tank which was granted.
They ct once proceeded to load the tank
and remove it. During the operation OF
loading five Berrys and ten Vaprona
relatives and an intimate friend by the
name OF Sawyer appeared on the scene
with Winchesters and fired three shots
at the ranchmen who were loading the
tank. This brought a battle. All par
ties took to cover behind the building
and the fight continued for several min
utes with the result that four of the
ranchmen were wounded and three
Berrys reported killed and two wound
ed Three ranch riders horses were also
killed Hard feeling has existed be-
tween the Berrys and the ranch en-
ployes for two or three years past. more
or less litigation has been on between
them during this time. The Berrys have
shown a disposition of late to attack
the ranch and riders frequently and by
threatened and vile language attempted
to intimidate and compel these riders to
coroners and sheriffs of Rawlins and
Cheyenne counties have taken a posse
and gone to the scene of action Up to
this time no further Information has
been received.
CHAUNCEY DEWEY.