The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-05-04
PIONEER SHERIFF
KNOWN ASTW DOT
GEORGE WILSON WAS ONE OF
RICHEST CATTLEMEN IN MUS
SELSHELL VALLEY
By JOHN r.

George r. Wilson, otherwise known
as 1.-TWO Dot" was a man who Wor'
ried. II the grass were short he was
sure his cattle would starve, II the
grass were tall and rank he was
afraid of prairie fires. He and his
wife lived Just across the north FORK
of the Musselshell from us. They
were our nearest neighbors and q
footIog across the creek made inter-
course easy. There must rave been
some contagious quality in his worry
for Mrs. Wilson, in the crisis OF a
serious illness kept repeating, Cattle,
CATTLE, eternally cattle!!"
For three years I saw a great zeal
of the man and then, although we
were no more than 30 miles apart, U
paths neve crossed. In the days when
I knew him he was thought to be a
hard bargainer, thrifty and tight listed,
but, strange to say, he was a good
neighbor, cowboys liked to work Tor
him and in an ungraciouS way he was
generous, but whenever he was charlt-
able, or open hearted, he expected IN
gratitude. He was commonly known as
Dot" after his cattle brand, and
his memory is kept green by that name
applied to the railroad station In the
heart of his old cattle range.
A few of us old timers remember him
as hard working, honest and depend
able, shaving, saving and worrying IN
winter cold and summer heat, a man
who carried some Of the homely VIZ
tues to excess.
At the time of his death, he was
thought to be one Of the richest men In
Musselshel valley. A ranchman,
spreading the news Of his passing, was
asked, what did he leave?" And the
truthful but unkind reply was. Every
JOHN r. BARROWS.
AL HARRISON, SHERIFF
Al Harrison was the first sheriff Of
Park county. Maybe a deputy sheriff.
L is possible his name was Hamilton
and it may be he was from Gauatl
county. 1t Is well to make your state
nent in a positive manner when you
are doubtful.
Al made a short winter visit to Ubet
IN the old s~tagecoach days, seeking a
fugitive from Montana justice. The
driver of the Lavina stage had given
a wrong steer and Sheriff Hamil-
ton wasted a day or two following a
false trail. I cannot tell you whether
the driver deliberately misled the Off
Ger or was merely officious and over
al l events Mr.. Harrison
was a very angry man.
When the Lavina stage pulled in one
frosty morning, the driver
over his reins to the stock
and clumsily dismounted from
the coach. He was bundled up in his
winter clothes, and walked slowly to-
wards the postoffice.
Mr.. Harrison met him and knocked
him down. The driver arose only to
be knocked down again. This was re-
peated four or five times. Finally the
man made no attempt to rise.
Mr.. Harrison put on his o~vercoat,
on his gloves and entered the
Nartinsdale coach, advising his pros
victim that it wasn't healthy to
monkey with the law.
Then the good Samaritans got to
work. They fairly carried the driver
into the house, Unattached his over
noes, pulled off his gloves and wrist
unbuckled his three straps that
held his eight-inch cowhide belt in
paace, removed the heavy shawl
wrapped around his head, crossed on
his breast, AID had its corners under
ne belt; they turned down the i'm
nense collar and exposed his face to
y3eW, they bnbuttoned his heavy
louble-breasted buffalo coat and they
louk Off his fur cap. There were no con-
nsions! There was no blood! Even
Ne icicles ON his whiskers were intact!
~Where are you hurt?" II amt
mt" well, why didn't you get up?"
Nv. Il was too tiresome."