The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-24

fgMDtkE IA HIS tlllHtt4 G44t41 tii' -'AN'1'~
famous case I'm the history OF the States
feuds between cattlemen and farmers, /
says a RaWlins, Kaus.. dispatch TO the
New York sun. TWO Other cases are
pending In the local courts against the
trio and there IS "a damage suit against
Dewey but none OF these viii ever come
10 trial
Chauncey Dewey is remembered in
Northwest Kansas as the handsomest
cowboy who ever crossed the sixth prin-
cpal meridian. lie came out here 10 man
age his fathers big ranch of some 300,
eco acres.
The ranch is the largest in the State
and is located between the Burlington and
Rock Island Railways with headquarters
at Oak Ranch The elder Dewey came
here and fitted up the place for his son
There was a small village at head
quarters Chauncey improved upon it.
lie built dwelling for himself "a four
room house with bathroom, hot and cold
water. lights and telephone connec-
ton with the cook house. the bunk
house. and every point on the great ranch.
He could also talk with Chicago over the
long distance telephone from Colby
out back of the dwelling he had gym
nasium with punching bags and "a bowl
ing alley He used to have contests with
his cowboys for the boxing championship
of the ranch lie was athletic enough to
hold nearly any one of them.
He brought from Chicago his $3.50 rid
ing mare. Kentucky bred. and rode her in
rounding up the cattle. The ranch was
stocked with 5000 head of cattle
Had Good Time.
The cowboys We're not particularly care
fui of them. and one winter the storms
drove a bunch OF fine Herefords into
gully, where "a creek was on one side and
the hills on the other. Two hundred
died and their bones lie just over the
hin, where the cowboys took the car
casses.
Dewey brought out from Chicago some /
of his friends ana they had a good time.
When they grew tired of chasing jack
rabbits they went 20 Manhattan. where
the elder Dewey had built "a $4,000 hotel
ON "a little lake and was running it in
summer resort style NJ a loss of 500 a
month. The company had pleasant
time there.
over on the edge of the ranch just
where the farms came up TO one side Of
the Dewey property and almost sur
rounded by the great ranch. lived the
Berry family. There Were several sons
and they occupied a little cabin with "a
sod barn.
The Berry family did not like Dewey
and there was "a constant complaint that
the ranch cattle ran over the farm and
destroyed the crops. But Chauucey gen
orally paid the damages claimed, and for
time got on with them very well.
They rode al will over the ranch and
frequently visited the ranch headQuar-
ters. on one OF these occasions they Dor
rowed from the ranch q trough or tank.
an oak affair, worth probably $. They
took il home to water their cattle and
left IL by the windmill near the granary.
Dewey sent word to the Berrys to bring
home the tank. They replied. Come
and get it,"
The young Chicagoan was not afraid 10
go. He called his cowboys together, they
armed themselves and started for the
Berry farm
Three Bcrrys Killed.
As they were moving the tank the
Berrys came into the yard and opened
fire. The Deweys hid behind a sod fence.
The Berry contingent stayed in the house
or took refuge behind the granary.
In the end three Of the Berrys lay dead
on the ground. The Dewey cowboys were
uuhurt and rode back 20 the ranch house,
where they prepared for "a siege. Plenty
Of guns and ammunition were ready for
them and they fitted up the bunk house
like "a fort,
But there was no siege The sheriff took
them TO town; then they were hurried 10
Topeka The trial was a celebrated one.
The best lawyers I'm the state were en-
ployed. and il is said that IL cost tile
cider Dewey $5t0o0.
It was impossible 10 get verdict and
the case was transferred To the adjoining
county of Norton. where Northwest Kan
eas gathered 10 attend the trial The jury
disagreed. and there was talk of another
trial. but none ever came.
Cuaunccy Dewey was as cool in the trial
as ever. lie gave a party at Topeka later,
and the fayOTs We're something To make
the Kansaus eyes bulge out. His father
did not allow him to go back to the ranch,
and except fer q night trip across country
with a DAYS stay at the old headquarters
ha has never been in the county since the
time of the trial.
Two murder cases and suit FOR dam
ages. together with a suit charging the
defendant with assault with intent 90 kin.
are Yet pending but they VIII not be
tried When three terms of court have
passed they will probably be dismissed.
Elder Dewey Left Million.
The elder Dewey dropped dead two
years ago of apopleXy. lie left something
more than a million 10 Cdauncey. The
big ranch has been run by superiuteud-
ents and now Is 60 be broken up and sold
for farms.
The Berrys have moved to Southern
Oklahomaa The clubhouse at Manhattan
where the family spent "A small fortune
trying 10 educate the people of Kansas
in the ethics Of the swift summer resort
life has been sold 60 the Odd Fellows and
they have converted il into sunatorium.
No more do the travellers on the Union
Pacific trains look from the window and
see reproduction OF the Pau-American
exposition out an the plains.
Dewey has had his fast riding horse
shipped hack TO Chicago. The push but
tons with which he used TO order high
balls and hot baths are out OF order The
punching bag is r0ttiug in the gymnasium.
Young Chamcey has become q man of
affairs. Together with an adopted son of
his father. he manages the great estate
Tie wanted TO run for Congress in Illinois
last fan, bat was beaten at the primaries.
lie is likely 10 be heard from again
in the meanwhile the s. tank over which
three lives were lost, and which has cost
the Dcweys St03000 yet stands beside The
windmill on the deserted Berry farm.
To Prevent a Flood.
From Lippincott's.
\ well-known Philadelphia rector. hav-
ing "a r,arfsllIenar Of crroaf fr7e.,,, q