The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1921-07-09
cATTLE-sHEEp TROUBLE

n
hundred cattlcmen md farmers from
Rio BlancO, ROutt and Moffat counties
met the advancing sheep invasion on
the MOHat--Rio Blanco line in Thorn
burg section and stopped the invasion.
Everything was done In a quiet. law
abiding way. A committee composed
of two people form each cotnty-Houtt
MOffat and Rio BlancO counties, with
the president Of the Western slope
StOckgrOwers' association as represen-
tativc from Garfield county. as chair
man.
After idelilerntiOn, the small band In
the lead was allowed TO purchase
trail over patented land and proceed
to the fiat tops. The other and large
bands were turned back end will go to
Craig. from which point they will 60
by rail to the nearest point to the fiat
tops. :
Much Indignation is felt against the
forestry officials who gave the Utah
sheepmen permission to take possess
sion Of territory which has always been
cattle and horse range: and In the
second place. knowing as they tthe Of
acials) must have known. that there
was no way to reach the designated
localities on the fiat tops other than
over private lands.
Following is clear account Of this
matter taken from last weeks Craig
Empire:
Forty armed men are holding the
'cowmen's line to the White River
National Forst reserve against what
MofYat county cattlemen say is the final
assault Of Utah sheep raisers against
the fortyycar range Of the cattlcmcn
AZ matters stand today. the shccpmcn
are checkmatctl. unable to reach the
forest reserve without crossing the prl-
vate property. which step Will mean
h,ootishe.l and defeat for the sheep
men. who are greatly outnumhered by
the cattle rxisers.
Since early In the spring. Utah
shcepmen have made preparations t"
make the White River National forest
sheep country williams fork and Axinl
hasin rancicrs say. Immense fiocks of
sheep have been slowly moving up from
the spare feed Of Utah to the luxurlant
pastures II the forest reserve.
The sfecpucn received permit to
Rrasc their sheep in the forest reserve
thereby scoring the first victory. When
the members Of the Williams Fork. Az
,al Basin and White River live Stock
associations heard that permits had
heen granted the shccpmcn. n commit
tee was appointed to go to Glcnwo"d
sprinp. and protest to Forest Super
visor Blair against the invasion OF the
cattle range.
But the shccpmen pressed their nd
vantage and hurried their flocks to-
ward the government pastures and gov
crnn,ent protection.
They met their first defeat when at
tempting to bring the sheep from the
oprn range Of lies mountain to the for
est reserve trail. The only trail ofY 1i1cs
mountain led through land owned by
George V Iilcs. a cattleman. The sheep
men attempted to huy right-of-way
through Ille~' land and were refused.
With all trails on tho mountain
blocked. the shecpmcn sent to Craig foi
dynamite and bridge material. new
trail was blasted out on the prrcipi-
tous slope and temporary bridge was
thrown across seemingly impossible
ravine.
Advance guards Of the shecpncn
found that the regular trail M Mora
pos creek was blocked by homestccders
who were determined that the sl,cci'
should not cross their land.
Another trni farther north. was sci.
Crtetl and a homc~tendcr paid IN allow
the nocks to pass through. Amin the
march toward the forest reserve was
started.
At o o'clock Monday night Harry
Durham. a cowman. who was riding
for horses OH lies mountain. discover.
I'd that the sheep were on the Hoyc ~
n new trail. He hastcned .n N t"'"Oh'ne
and informed the "tLer rntt!cmcn Of
tho threatened invasion.
George Watson Of the Williams Fork
Crttle association nn,l Inp wymnn NJ
tie White River assMirt'.r immediate
" hogan forming the cnttlcmen ~ n
-..~>.v /. ~n iu.< tho a., ,orn All ptUht mon