The Minneapolis journal., 1903-12-31
GOTHAMlTE GETS
A FAMOUS RANCH.
$4,000 PAID FOR THE "DUDE
RANCH AT MEDORA.
Acquired Its Name by Entertaining
SciOns of Wealthy Eastern Fam
= lilies and Furnishing Some Rare
Western Experiences-Old Days of
Custer and Marquis de Dores Re-
called.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Bismarck, n. D., Dec. 31.-The recent
sale of the Eaton ranch at Medora, at the
crossing of the Little Missouri river known
as the "Custer trail" because General
Clusters Big Horn expedition in 1875
crossed at that point, marks the transfer
of probably the only Dude ranch" in the
country.
The name was given to the place by the
pioneer settlers and cowboys because of
the large number of more or less illus
trious scions Of wealthy families who
1ocked there annually for taste of the
real wild west.
. The Eatons were former Pittsburgers.
who settled at MedOra in the palmy days,
when Marquis de Mores established his
big packing plant, when the finger of the
cowboy was continually on the trigger and
the gin bottle was always open to all who
might apply. For some years they en-
gagged in the stock business. Buying wild
animals such as bear, elk, deer and similar.
species for eastern parks proved profit
able occupation, and they engaged for a
time in that business. AT one time they
had an immense corral full of live elk,
awaiting shipment to eastern parks. They
also drove some traffic in buffalo, when
one could be bought and sold. ;
Resort for Dudes.
Subsequently the Eatons discovered the
possibilities of the "dude'' traffic Many
wealthy families in the east had sons Of
more or less comfort to them, and sum-
mer in the wild west appealed to them
as a good thing for the boys. Accordingly
they were sent out in singles, pairs and
droves, to- rough it for a season and see
the west as it was. The Eatons boarded
them, furnished them horses guns, and
the accoutrements necessary and planned
expeditions during the summer for hunt
ing and other bits Of western experience.
Upon the ranch grounds they erected a
long building. separated by nunberless
partitions into small rooms, in each of
which was bunk and what furniture was
necessary. This was known as the Dude
pen' and here the visitors slept and had
their being during their stay. The dudes
were conspicuous by their fOndness for
immense hats, revolvers, high-heeled
boots, rattle snake belts and leather
"chaps."
It is understood the ranch has been sold
for $50, 600 to a. wealthy New Yorker
Libel Cases Extraordinary.
An interesting libel case has grown out
of the Rott murder cases in Mcintosh
county, The victim of the crime, Chris
Rott, was set upon by several Russians
and died from his injuries. Five Russians
were arrested. One Of them was ac-
quilted, one received five years in the
penitentiary two others a year each, and
one is yet to be tried
When the trial Of the second installment
of the defendants was begun, Judge Lau-
der issued an order relieving States At
torney Clyde, and stating his reasons.
Several newspapers published the order
with comments and now Clyde has brought
action for libel against them. The ques-
tion in the case seems to be whether news
papers have or have not the right to pub
lish orders Of the court, and be immune
from libel proceedings