Show A Brand Inspector Looks Critters Over Rustlers Still Active But Use New Tactics? Brand Inspector Savs 1 3 r Cattle rustling which led to some of the wildest sagas of the west is still almost as prevalent as it ever was but it is carried on in a different manner according to John J Smith brand inspector at the Ogden Union stockyards for the Wyoming Stockgrowers' association — "Rustlers nowadays often op- - —— erate by truck they take fewer Richard Roe of Afton Wyo Mr animals at a time and they Doe has a bill of sale from Mr move raster" Mr Smith said Roe showings that he purchased !A very courteous man of amthem from him But just to make ple size with keen black eyes sure that Mr Doe is not a forger he leaned back in his chair i will dispatch a Inspector d riding-bootehis feet card to MrSmith placed s Roe Mr stating that desk in the Doe upon his roll-to- p presented a bill of sale for basement of the main building at aaid animals and asking If Mr the Ogden stockyards tipped his Roe made IDENTIFICATION out that bill of sale If Every cow or horse that passes through tihe Ogden Union stockyards is checked cowboy hat back on his head the bill of sale is as to brand and owneffhip by J J Smith brand inspector for the Wyoming Stockgrowers' association Mr and observed: Roe has but to writeforged Here Mr Smith mounts his horse to work a pen of fat animals branded with a C on the left hip When back and "A man setting out to make he finds a brand which is obscure or indistinct Mr Smith ropes the animal clips the hair to facilitate aay so and thjngf will immedi- identification " ' a business of rustling has the ately get pretty hot for Mr Doe of the brand intention of fooling ua and he Most rustlers are wise to the just has that one problem to fact they will get caught It they probably has the most valued at $2600 These were all proficient riding boots on the jobto because-hconcentrate on We have a lot tryjto aell ftt the ride a marfinds it necessary important cases of blotched or indistinct system of brand inspections has of different things to watch and kets where Inspectors of his course are 13 a located the of total unintentionalhad horse which brands inspecduring in order to catch him we have but the inspectors also check on would he because tors and bearMr like an mixed animals Smith been with inspections ly They to check them all and outsmart such smaller markets as butcher located in such major stock marrather wear them than shoes ing another brand Identification him" shops In Weber county for inkets as Ogden Denver Omaha cases is facilitated by in such anyhow stance no one is allowed to have Small Black Book The Wyoming Stockgrowers' the animal Photographs Chicago Sioux City and Scotts clipping meat unless it is properly tagged He drew a small black book case Bluff association in are taken then recently establishedin-a just A farmer ' cannot sell beef unless from his pocket and indicated someone disputes word of the schooling system for its new Mr Smith had no ready figures rigid a steel filing cabinet In which rJPresent5 the ta and the hide spectors and gives them all the value of stolen inspector Smith's rhe Inspector's work is facili- - concerning examinations was a card index The book he Inspector all lived animals or recovered animals has Inspector Smith two sons Keith and Kenneth exis issued at yearly edthr°ugh on the range or been cooperation with explained the did life he but his past year during sheriffs office In most cases inspectors like intervals and contains all the pect to become will have a record which' showed that otherwise associated with the enter their The and Wyomine Stnkcrrnu' their father brand registrations In several cattle business He used to help during the year he recovered for soon association which periods with wears western states at the time of its Montana training the rightful owners animals his father trail cattle He issuance The card index contains information on other brands which has come in since issuance " of the book In addition to the brands notations In the book and the card Index Indicate such pertinent data as changes in ownership mortgages etc Mr Smith knows hundreds of brands by memory and can look the others up in a rr lit r was Ji minute or two This efficient system of checkA COMFORTABLE HOME FOR X ft ing on brands and hence ownerof Is cattle but one of the ship means investigators use to stop THOSE AWAY FROM HOME PERr i' ' i r rustling They also call upon the 9 t h camera the system of records SONALIZED SERVICE BY COMPE' 4 4 and clearance which are found t'l r rl ' J i'l VI'in most states' to furnish a check TENT COURTEOUS EMPLOYES on the movement of animals and to the Instruments Having thus reduced their business to a science the brand inspectors are I iJ ft more than holding their own I m u i against those who deliberately set out to outsmart them Altered Brand For Instance Mr Smith recalled " ' W the recent case of a man in Wyoming who planned to transport EACH WITH BATH a herd of 300 head of animals from Nebraska Into Wyoming -L Jim where he intended to alter their brands He'd drive Into Nebraska and buy a few steers for which he would get a clearance to transport them across the state line Then he'd sell them to some butcher In Nebraska go load up NEW DINING ROOM the same number of stolen catCourteous tle and haul them to his place Restful Itcfincd Surroundings in Wyoming where the brands Service Excellent Cuisine Moderate Prices would be altered So well thought out was his plan that he probably would have gotten away with It had he not succumbed to the temptation one day of picking up a steer with anoiher brand He sold It and was caught and sent to Jail Hav-Ingthus become suspicious of him Inspectors found that some horses on his ranch also were ' - out-of-sta- te BEN LOMOND kw- iJig&W$k n$WUiyjci -1 f i I k - - i- — r-- -i L - - r y a a a a -- u-- ! t I t ' 1 — — pi m 1 350 Comfortable Rooms 'T 'f Mm ! from $200 "P RODEO HEADQUARTERS V stolen So the Inspectors bought a couple of cattle on the place and after they were slaughtered examined the brands on the under side of the chides There they found proof of the altered brands and by tracing down the owner of the original brand they pieced together the full story of the larger rustling enterprise Examine Thousands Mr Smith carefully examines every critter that comes into the Ogden market or passes through Ogden by train — which amounted to a total nt 45388 from May 25 3940 to June 1 1941 If he finds any animal whose ownership does not appear to be proper he holds It or holds up payment for It until the matter is straightened out He also holds up payments for animals upon which there Is a mortgage until holder of the mortgage Is either paid or gives a clearance And records are made of every animal sold here with its brand ownership of the brand and name of the man who offered it for sale Suppose John Doe appears In Ogden with a truckload of fine fat steers bearing the brand of - EVERY SERVICE NECESSARY TO COMPLETE LIVING ALL UNDER ONE ROOF O MODERN COFFEE SHOP Completely Reasonable prices air-condition- ed Quick service O TELEGRAPH OFFICE ' O BANQUET AND PARTY ROOMS rooms Spacious completely and an especially trained banquet personnel O CIGAR AND MAGAZINE STAND air-conditio- O LOBBY AND LOUNGE Designed for relaxation and comfort O TAP ROOM Enlarged modernized and refurnished plete beverage list HOTE O BARBER AND BEAUTY SALON Air-conditio- ned O RAILROAD TICKET OFFICE Com- O GARAGE IN CONNECTION "A Distinctive Address" OMOND |