Wyoming Stock Growers Association

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The Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) is a historic and influential American cattle organization created in 1873. The Association was started among Wyoming cattle ranchers to standardize and organize the cattle industry, but quickly grew into a political force that has been called "the de facto territorial government" [1] of Wyoming's organization into early statehood, and wielded great influence throughout the American West. [2]

The WSGA is still active to this day, but it is best known for its rich history and is perhaps most famous for its role in Wyoming's Johnson County War.

Contents

[edit] Formation

Early into Wyoming's Territorial formation in 1868 cattle men began to lobby the powerful territorial government, and befriended John A. Campbell, the first territorial governor of Wyoming who served from 1869 to 1875.

During May 1871, Campbell sponsored the first organization of cattlemen in the territory and became the president of this Wyoming Stock Grazier's Association. When the second legislature assembled at Cheyenne in November, 1871, the Governor called a simultaneous meeting of the stock growers, and a joint session was held in the hall of the house of representatives.[3]

The Governor's cattle organization soon disbanded, but on November 29, 1873, a new group called the Laramie County Stock Association was formed by some of former members and became the nucleus of the Wyoming Stock Growers' Association. [4].

[edit] History

The WSGA historically organized roundups, scheduled cattle shipments, and tracked cattle brands, but was also active, especially before 1900, in eliminating cattle rustling. The WSGA hired a number of professional detectives whose job it was to prevent and punish cattle thieves.

In the late 1800s, while Wyoming was transitioning from a territory into statehood, the WSGA was one of the few large scale organizations that wielded any type of authority in the region. The WSGA held a quasi-governmental status during those years and was very influential in shaping Wyoming's state government and statutes. In that respect, there were four members of the WSGA in the U.S. Congress, as well as several governors and the majority of state legislators that were members in the association. Many of the WSGA's rules and regulations became state laws.

While often accused of secrecy and heavy-handedness, the WSGA nonetheless kept extremely detailed records, paperwork, minutes of meetings, and preserved nearly all correspondence to and from the association. [5]. The number of letters preserved between the 1870's and the 1930's alone is estimated to be in excess of 50,000, while dozens of boxes exist containing paperwork and other records. The overwhelming majority of records are said to pertain solely to cattle industry organization tasks (such as brand registration, the tracking of cattle shipments, and etc) and underscore the day-to-day importance of the industry association in addition to the political role it also played. [6]. The records are currently held at the American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming.

[edit] Johnson County War

Prior to the Johnson County War, Joe Horner (better known as Frank Canton) left his Johnson County sheriff position to become WSGA's chief of detectives. He later led an army of Texas killers hired by the WSGA that killed two Johnson County settlers in what has become known as the Johnson County War. He was charged for this act but was released.[7]

[edit] Today

According to the WSGA, [8] the three main roles of today's association are:

  • Advocating on issues affecting the cattle industry, Wyoming agriculture and rural community living
  • Providing members with timely information regarding events in the cattle industry and the activities of the association
  • Promoting the role of the Wyoming cattle industry in resource stewardship, animal care and the production of high-quality safe and nutritious beef

The association currently has a full-time staff of three, along with eight executive officers. To become a voting member of the WSGA, one must either grow of cattle, horses, mules or sheep.

[edit] External links

The Wyoming Stock Growers Association

[edit] References Cited

  1. ^ Jackson, W. Turrentine. The Mississippi Valley Historical Review, Vol. 33, No. 4. (Mar., 1947), pp. 571.
  2. ^ Homsher, Lola M. Archives of the Wyoming Stock Growers' Association The Mississippi Valley Historical Review, Vol. 33, No. 2. (Sep., 1946), pp. 285.
  3. ^ Jackson, W. Turrentine. The Mississippi Valley Historical Review, Vol. 33, No. 4. (Mar., 1947), pp. 573.
  4. ^ Jackson, W. Turrentine. The Mississippi Valley Historical Review, Vol. 33, No. 4. (Mar., 1947), pp. 573.
  5. ^ Homsher, Lola M. Archives of the Wyoming Stock Growers' Association The Mississippi Valley Historical Review, Vol. 33, No. 2. (Sep., 1946), pp. 280-284.
  6. ^ Homsher, Lola M. Archives of the Wyoming Stock Growers' Association The Mississippi Valley Historical Review, Vol. 33, No. 2. (Sep., 1946), pp. 280-284.
  7. ^ DeArment, R. K.. "JOE HORNER, ALIAS FRANK CANTON", Wild West, Cowles Enthusiast Media, August 1, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-10-23. (English) 
  8. ^ Wyoming Stock Growers Association Website. Accessed July 10th, 2007

[edit] Other References

  • (December 1, 2005) Wyoming (in English). Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.. 
  • Moulton, Candy (August 1, 2005). Texas author Bill O'Neal provides a fresh look at the Wyoming range war that broke out in Johnson County (in English). Cowles Enthusiast Media.