Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1912-06-22
ATTENTION sTOckMEN!
Good Work Done by FAN River and
Custer County Live Stock Own
er's Protective Association.


cutting fences, and minor depredations
have ever been q menace to law abiding
ranchers in western communities. II
used to be very much worse than now.
In the early days stringent measures
were resorted to, the halter proving the
most effective If it was barbaric. As the
country became moro settled and men
trusted to better law enforcement for
protection; the evil continues to -four
ish. Law enforcement is often o difii-
cult matter. To be morally certain
something is wrong is one thing. to prove
1t is quite another matter. Time and
again we have found this to be true In
our own community.
For many years, stock kept disap-
pearing, brands were meddled with, and
honest stockmen were put to consider
able expense and trouble to no purpose.
At last things came to such pass that
it was necessary to organize for self pro-
lection and hunt down and prosecute
the thieves. For this purpose the West
ern South Dakota Stock Growers Asso-
citation was formed with our townsman,
F. M. Stewart, as Secretary. At once
the effect was felt. The rustlers either
bad to leave the State or work under
cover. This Association, covering such
a large field, was not able to exercise as
thorough supervision as some stock
growers desired, so they formed q local
organization within the larger. This
was known as the Fall River aud Custer
County Live Stock Owners Protective
Association, with c. S. Isham, Secretary
Treasurer, and headquarters in Buffalo
gap. Under this chief Association SUBJ
ordinate Associations were formed, and
in this way the field was covered
thoroughly.
The need for more effective work in
narrowing circles had long been evil
dent. So many thefts had been com
planned of and so few convictions secured
that evil doers had become bold. But
for once they over-reacbed. ]. s. God
sey, chief captain, and members of his
association, assisted by Secretary Stew
art, of the larger organization soon had
evidence enough to arrest and convict
the first gang. As result last spring
the Deputy U. S. Marshal appeared on
the scene and arrested John Rush, Joe
Norman and John Ashbault under
charges Of cattle and horse stealing. At
the preliminary hearing before Com
missioner Palmer they were bound over
to the U. 5. court at Deadwood. There
the thorough work of the local Associa-
tions became evident. The gang did
not even have fighting chance, the evi.
dence was 80 complete and ovsrwhelm.
ing. The Court sentenced John Rush
to four years and day at hard labor,
Joe Norman to three and one half years,
and John Ashbault to three years. They
are now serving sentence in the federal
prison at Leavenworth.
Running this first gang to earth cost
the Association several hundred dollars.
This will fall heavily on the members
unless friends and ranchers help out.
They all enjoy the same protection. II
is only fair to give the local Associations
a boost. This can best be done by join
ing the Association, paying q member
ship fee of 50, and a small assessment
depending on the number of head oi
stock owned. Be a booster,-now ID
your chance. Show that you appreciate
the good work done for the protection
of your property. Go find the officers
don't wait for them to look youu The
officers are: VIM. M. O'Banion, presi
dent; Dan. Mosier, vice president; G.
8. Isham, secretary-treasurer and j. 8
Godsey, chief captain.-Buffalogap Gaz
ette.