The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-02-12
Law PROTECTS GAME.
Lacey Act Preserves Animals in
Yellowstone Park.

If it had not been for Major Lacey
and the Lacey act the stock of wild
game in Yellowstone Park would have
been practically nil and one of the
most interesting features Of this great
national park would have been lost"
These were the opening words of an
interview with Major John Pitcher,
acting superintendent of Yellowstone
Park, who is spending a week in
Washington. as told by Harold ]. Ma
hin in the Ottumwa Courier. One OF
the first persons Major Pitcher called
upon was Major Lacey. They have
had much correspondence and are
great friends though they had never
met before. Major Pitcher is in
Washington at this time to report pro-
gress on the most important piece Of
work the park has undertaken yet
the raising of herd of American buff
falo to preserve the species. Last
year $4,000 was appropriated by con-
gress for this purpose and the amount
has now been spent with every pros
pect of final success. Many other at
tempts have been made to raise buff
falo and cause them to multiply and
flourish, but without success. The
Yellowstone Park attempt Is succeed
ing because they have plenty of room
and the very best experts engaged in
the work.
The Lacey Acts Results.
The Lacey act provides for no hunt
ing within the preserves of animals of
the harmless sort. Mountain lions and
coyotes of the park are excepted. AS
a result the animals such as deer, elk,
antelope, mountain sheep, ETC., are
multiplying greatly. A recent state
ment that the park was almost with
out animals is grossly false. Not long
ago I took ride with a gentleman
and for example put down some fig
ures. In a four mile drive to Fort
Yellowstone we saw and counted 600
elk, 400 antelope, 80 mountain sheep
and were never out of sight Of black
tailed deer. On another drive OF
about seven miles we saw and counted
800 elk, and 81 deer. In fact we
went upon hill where we could get
a view of the surrounding country and
everywhere all around us we could see
the little herds of elks grazing just as
would sheep or cows on any farm.
Hunters Favor Act.
Many sportsmen are in favor of this
law for protecting the game. They
multiply so fast in the park that 1t OF
course results in the migration Of
great numbers eacA year outside the
limits where they can be hunted by
sportsmen within certain limits OF
time allowed by law. We want them
to go because we do not have enough
room or enough feed for them within
the park. The only people that object
are the illegal pot hunters" who are
only after skins or antlers or meat.
Major Pitcher Enthusiastic.
Major Pitcher is enthusiastic over
the buffalo herd. He says they now
have three fine bulls and eighteen
COWS and expect a dozen or more
young ones in the spring. There is
beside a wild herd within the limits
OF the park which is doing well. He
is anxious that congress shall appro-
pirate some more money to carry on
the work so well begun and will I'M
doubtedly have Major Lacey's assist
ance in the matter.
Seeds for Sixth District.
Congressman Lacey has word from
the postofice department that sixty
mail sacks filed with garden seeds
had been shipped to the constituents
in the Sixth district. Many have no
doubt received their supply by this
time and there are more yet to follow.
Laceys Law Attracting Notice.
Congressman Lacey's law COMPEL
ing the attendance of witnesses in
contested homestead cases is attract
ing widespread favorable attention.
1t will right many wrongs and come to
the aid of many unfortunate ones.
Contests often arise In this wise: A
man will stake out claim and after
working it a trifle will probably leave
It while he goes back to his native
state to bring on his family. When
he returns he will find that some one
has pre-empted his land. The latter
will declare that the land is his and
will simply hold under the fact that
possession is nine points of the law.
The question may be taken before the
commissioner, the land grabber will
bring in several of his unprir "ipled
friends to swear that the prop " is
his while the real homesteader may
be unable to get soul to come to his
aid. Mr.. Lacey's new law compels the
attendance of witnesses just as is the
oa.a IN onu oourt trial