Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-06-19
Stockmen Hanged L0uey the Breed 4 Times
For 'Rustling Job" That Nobody Committed

might be closer to the mountains.
They also operate a winter ranch in
Arizona.
Less well known than their part in
founding the dude ranch industry is
another contribution of the Eatons to
the development Of the west-an in
direct contribution, but one that might
be considered as Of equal Importance
Letter Interests Roosevelt
A letter written by Howard Eaton
and published in a New York city
newspaper attracted the attention Of
vigorous, impulsiye young member
of the New York state legislature. It
interested him in the possibilities Of
the new Dakota territory. He came
west to hunt buffalo, and he stayed
long enough to buy into the cattle
business, on a ranch adjoining the
Eatons. He was Theodore Roosevelt.
who became president Of the United
States after the assassination of Will
liam Mckinley in September, 1901.
Theodore Roosevelt's interest in the
west, aroused during the years he
spent as a neighbor of the Eatons,
was reflected often in measures enact
ed during his administration. The
programs he sponsored for conserva-
ton OF natural resources saved mil
lions of dollars of potential wealth for
the modern west. The Eatons, it would
reasonably seem, are due a measure
of credit for RooSevelt's activity in
behalf Of the frontier states.
Roosevelt's acquaintance with the
Eatons, it is surmised, started in Sep
TENDER, 1883. when he came to the
Little Missouri and Medora on a buff
falo hunt. His local guides were Syl-
vane and Joe Ferris and William j.
Merrifield then partners in the CHM
ney Butte ranch, which adjoined
Eaton holdings. Before he returned to
the east he became a cattleman as
partner of Sylvane Ferris and Mer-
rifield. In later years he was to ap-
point Mortified United States mar
shall for Montana.
Roosevelt was 25 years old when he
made his first trip west. He had twice
been member of the New York
legislature, and already was marked
for career of political prominence
But the future held deep personal
tragedy for him.
/ On Feb. ~, 1884, his wife gave birth
to daughter. At O'Clock next morn
! ing his mother died, and his wife
died six hours later. He immersed
himself in his legislative work but
as one biographer has written, "the
heart had gone out of him. He was
restless, and thought longingly of the
valley of the Little Missouri"
In the spring, after he had been
chosen a delegate to the national re-
publican convention, to be held In
June. Roosevelt received a report from
his North Dakota partners. 1t re-
newed his enthusiasm, and he In
structed them by letter to buy more
stock. But Sylvane Ferris demurred
! Don't put in any more money until
you're sure we've scattered the other
dollars right" he said Better come
out first and look around"
/ Biographies of Roosevelt do not
mention that he Immediately took
that advice, but he apparently did
On May %, he wrote his name in the
guest register of the Custer Trail
ranch OF the Eaton brothers. The
register, originally an old account
book, still is cherished keepsake OF
Bill Eaton, son of Alden, who now
manages the Wolf creek ranch.
1t is very likely that Roosevelt, on
that hurried May trip. discussed with
the Eatons his plans for the national
convention in June, in which he sup
/ ported George F. EdmundS, liberal