Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-04-17
WHERE HUNDREDS ONCE.
ASSEMBLED SCARCE50
OLD CAT Tie men MEET
Remnant Of Once Strong Organ.
ixation Protests Against
Free Meats.

Rapid City. s. D., April 11.-Where
hundreds Of cattle men once assembiedl
IN old Library hall to attend the an
nual meeting of the Western South
Dakota Stock Growers association,
bare 80 of the old timers met Wednes-
day afternoon at the ed annual meet
ing. President F. T. Craige welcomed
the members present and explained the
dearth Of cattle in the country by the
years Of drought and the disappearance
Of the open range. City Attorney
Oliver e. Sweet spoke in place OF
Mayor Fred II. Rugg, and Bruce Nc
Cullough. of the Drovers' Journal
stockman, suggested the combining of
stock raising with agricultural pur-
suits.
Secretary Tomlinson, Of the Ma
ttonal Stock Growers association, con-
f1ned his remarks to deprecattng the
proposed placing Of meats on the free
suggestion Of Secretary Tomlinson,
resolution was unanimously adopted
protesting against the placing OF meat
products on the free list. A moderate
reduction in the duties on all import
ed articles was favored, but the put
ting Of meat and agricultural products
on the free list was characterized as
rank discrimination against the live
stock and agricultural interests of the
country.
Against Free Meat.
Copies of this resolution were ordered
transmitted to President Wilson,
Chairman Simmons, Of the Senate
wood. Of the House ways and means
committee, and to the senators and
representatives from South Dakota.
Another resolution was adopted which
favors federal control OF the unappro-
prfated grazing lands In semiarid dis
similar to that now In vogue in the
national forest reserves.
In his report. Secretary r. M. Stew
art pointed out that the future profit
from cattle raising must come from
farmers breeding In connection with,
agricultural pursuits. He pointed out
that more money came into South Da-
cattle sold in 1912 than did in 1907.
In the latter year 351, 466 cattle were
shipped, at a net value Of SIS, III, 038. or
$43 per head. In the former year 1885,
965 cattle at $3.50 per head brought
$9,132.50o.
Depreciation Of Herds.
Secretary Stewart estimates that the
herds in South Dakota have deprecia-
ted to such an extent that income from
cattle has fallen OF 60 per cent. The
fact that prices for feeders have
ranged so high explains the inability
OF cattle men to restock, but that pros
poets for the ensuing year are very
bright.
The great attraction OF the second
day of the stock meeting was his
toric parade, illustrating the growth
and changes in South Dakota since
the days when the Indian claimed it
as his own. Following band came a
party of 40 Sioux chiefs dressed in all
the sp!endor of their savage injunction.
some on horseback and other afoot
and all armed either with bows and
arrows or rifles. The women followed
dressed in equally savage feminine at
tire. leading horses harnessed to tepee
poles and Juggling endless pa pooses and
camping outfits Next the settler in
his prairie schooner. with wife and
family and driving few head of
cattle and sheep. The prospector with
his 'juineN loaded down with mining
tools and grab" also .formed a part
OF this feature of the parade.