Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1934-03-01

through with him. Followed three
years Of subnormal snowfall In the
mountains; hence. when the spring
freshet came. Eden Valley creek over.
flowed but 1.-THE OF the territory that
was flooded In years of normal snow
fall But Robin Kershaw had put In
concrete diversion dam at the upper
end of his ranch, backed the water up
and over the low banks and led it by
irrigation bitches all over his meadows.
He could have permitted the water
from these bitches to run under the
line fence between his ranch and Hens.
ley's. thus insuring Hensley the GUS
tomary hay crop and pasture. But
kershaw turned the water. when he
was through with 1t, back into the
channel of Eden Valley creek.
OF course there was nothing Hensley
could do about this. Kershaw had the
first use of the water and when he
turned it back into the channel at the
boundary line he was quite within the
law.
Kershaw put up his customary tom
mage Of hay that year and wintered
his cattle we'll Hensley had but a
quarter of the hay he required and
wintered his cattle poorly; and thin,
undernourshed cattle produce poor,
undernourished calves and a lessened
quantity of them.
Following the second year of sub
normal snowfall In the mountains he
suffered even greater losses. The
third year he could stand 1t no longer.
Again he called on Robin Kershaw.
He rode up to the latter's house and
before the gate held up his hand, palm
outward. In the old Indian sign of
peace. Nevertheless, Robin Kershaw
came out with pistol on his hip; on
the front veranda Robin II fondled a
repeating rifle and watched Hensley
as cat watches a gopher hole.
"Kershaw." Hensley began, you're
running me-"
THAT'S a lie. You've ruined your
self"
i've got to have more water this
year." Hensley shrilled. "When you're
through with the water | want you to
run 1t under the fence to my bitches.
If you don't, by Cd, we'll argue this
In the smoke. It's plain dirty of you
to run II back into the creek again"
well. suppose could run it into
your ditches." Kershaw unused.
"See that you do" Hensley remind
ed him. and rode off. little realizing
that he had made an error of judg-
ment. He thought he had bluffed
Robin Kershaw.
When Kershaw was finished with
his irrigation that summer. Hensley
connected his lower Irrigation bitches
with Kershaw's and the water started
running merrliy down over the Hens
ley meadows. But almost Immediately
the flow ceased. Kershaw had opened
the water gate on his diversion dam
and turned the water back into the
channel OF the creek at the upper end
Of his ranch instead Of the lower!
Hensey was now In most unpleas.
ant predlcament. In the presence OF
witnesses (Robin II and two of the
Kershaw cowboys) he had threatened,
II denied the water. to argue the issue
with Robin ] In the smoke Hell
make good" Robin Kershaw / de.
cided. And he and his sons and his
riders all rode armed with pistols and
rifles.
But again Joel Hensley visited the
Circle X. "Kershaw." he called from
the front gate. "I'll pay for my share of
that fence. With interest" he added.
Il don't need the money" Kershaw
tainted him. And doubt II you'd
maintain your share Of the upkeep OF
that fence. How would You like to
sell out to me? That's the best and
easiest way to shed your water
troubles. III meet you in a liberal
spirit for the sake OF peace. Eden
Valley" he added. "aint big enough
for US both"
Two weeks later, as he rode In alone
from the nearest settlement, Joel
Hensley rode out on Kershaw from
clump of pines. Neither man hest
tated; II did not occur tn either to
ask questions: simultaneously they
drew and fred.
Mark. now the perverslty OF Fate.
Had each killed the other the feud