The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1917-02-02
VALLEY RANCHER AC-
CUSED OF CATTLE THEFT

w. II. Parry, a well known and
highly respected rancher living
eight and one-half miles north
east Of town, was arrested early
this week upon a charge Of de-
facing a brand on an animal, and
branding a calf that belonged TO
the Three G cattle outfit. His
son Emil was also arrested on
the same charge. Until a hear
ng could be had Mr.. Parry was
required TO make a $4,000 bond
which was promptly executed.
His son did not make a bond and
was confined in the county Jail
until Wednesday of this week,
when a preliminary hearing was
had before Judge Peach.
Mr.. Peterson Of the Three G
outfit was the first witness 10 be
called by the state. His state
ment was to the effect that he
had brought COW 10 his ranch
from the vicinity of Mr.. Parry's
range that had a calf about eight
months old following her. He
kept the calf at his home a few
days and in the presence Of wit
nesses placed a secret brand on
the inside Of its leg close up TO
its body. and let the calf get back
into Parry's neighborhood.
Later the calf was fotfhd with
Mr.. ParTy's brand on il. On
cross examination he admitted
that very often a mistake would
occur and a calf be branded that
did not belong 10 the outfit that
branded IL, and that whenever
I this occurred the party discover
ing same would go 10 the other
man and same would be righted.
According 10 his statement this
was customary with cattlemen.
although he failed TO 20 10 Mr..
Parry at all about the mistake in
the brand. He stated further
that such a mistake absolutely
would not occur in Mr.. Parry's
case as he had only dairy stock
and had no range stock.
Jack Thomas was the next
witness for the state. He told
of being present when the secret
brand was put on the calf and
seeing il later with Parry's brand
on IL. He told of seeing a steer
claimed by Juan Favela which
had been branded IF and Parry's
brand 1893 having been burned
over the old brand, the JF hav.
ing been made into an SS anC
another = added. According e
his story the yearling of Favela',
and the calf owned by the Thre,
c were placed into his pasture 4
short distance from the home Of
\ W. II. Parry. Thomas rode ~
TO Parry's and told him thai
two of his yearlings were in hi
pasture and TO come down anC
! get them. The next morning
young Parry went down TO ge
: the cattle. Thomas and a maj
, who was working for him wen
/ out and helped the boy turn tn,
! cattle into the road and starte,
, on with him. The boy drove tn
cattle a short distance, Thoma
! and his man by his side. whel
, Thomas placed him under arrest
Z on the charge of stealing cattl
! and defacing brands. Thoma
stated in his testimony that
, mistake in branding often haT
pened and II was customary TO
2 the party discovering the mis-
Q take TO go 10 the other party an
: correct Il. generally by the ma
who branded the calf paying 70
e same. He further stated tina
Mr.. Parry's cattle were of dair
I and also range stock.
?. The statements made by tn
Q other witnesses for the stat
l. were about the same as Pete
5 sons and Thomas. They a
n stated that mistakes in brandin
s often occurred. The evidenC
! was to the effect that Mr.. Parr
had promised TO give his son
one-ffth interest in the stoC
when he was of age, but at Il
, present time he had no intere
l. in the stock other than tn
promise He went down aft,