January 10, 1897 the Flint Creek Stock Association held a meeting in the school house at New Chicago. The meeting was called to order by president John A. Featherman with George Frennie acted as secretary. Mr. Featherman made a “very able speech” stating that the Association had done very good work in “running down and placing in the state prison three or four cattle thieves; but said there are others that ought to be in the penitentiary, and he had no doubt but that the association would be successful in hunting them down; but as the association was in debt in the sum of about $1,300, he thought it would be wise to dispense of the stock detective, which subject was discussed by the members.”
Frank Carnegie stated “That as of yet the ranchers had not received any benefit from the association, and added that H.M. Thomas had lost some stock and that there were two cows found branded with the brand used by a man who owns the field in which the cows were found and he did not think the detective should be discharged until some action was taken by the association in regards to these two cows.”
George W. Morse stated “That about two years ago he bought from W.W. Royal over one hundred head of cattle bearing a great number of brands, and among the numbers were two cows referred to by Mr. Carnegie. He said he bought them from Mr. Royal and the latter gentleman says that he bought them from Frank Hedstrom.” Mr. Morse thought it could be proved and all that could be made of the incident was a mistake. But if Mr. Carnegie or Thomas wanted to do anything they could arrest him (Mr. Morse). Then Mr. Morse stated “No man could have these two cows until he gets the money he paid for them and charges for their keeping for two years.
The president concluded “the association will not commence action unless they have a case, and they will not consider this a cause of action.” William Dingwall said “He thought the committee had the power of retaining or discharging the detective” and it was so ordered, with the detective being discharged.
The report showed that the association had reimbursed Royal $500 for his assistance in convicting “young Buchanan and Louie the Butcher” who were now serving sentences in the State prison and $800 was paid to Rodgers & Rodgers for attorney fees.
In 1855, infant William W. Royal, with his parents, and Grandfather left Gardiner, Illinois for Oregon. Grandfather W.W. Royal was one of the first circuit riders of the Methodist Church and his father Dr. W.W. Royal ministered to the sick throughout Oregon. William, one of 13 children, arrived in Deer Lodge County at the age of twenty (1875) and taught school in New Chicago.
He married Miss Christine Ley on April 28, 1910. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Mason of Hall, pioneers of the lower valley. At the time of the marriage, William was in business with J.J. Appel in the Granite County Meat Company of Drummond. William also hauled silver bullion from Philipsburg to Drummond prior to the railroad being built.
Research is uncertain when William became involved with livestock, but it appears he was astute in this venture before he became the detective prior to 1897. When his sister Lily Royal McDonel left her homestead on Section 4, across the road from the Luthje Ranch on Upper Willow Creek, William and wife Christine moved onto the homestead. They had four children: Billie (W.W.), Dorothy, Lucille and Helen.
Anne Luthje states in her book “Upper Willow Creek” that Christine was a vibrant redhead and loved parties. She was the hostess of many parties and dances. William was known by all the old timers, including the Luthje’s, to always have his horse saddled and ready. Research has never divulged the reason he was on high alert. William died on March 23, 1927 and is buried next to their son Billie (William W.) born February 7, 1913, who died at the age of twenty three days.
If anyone knows the story of why his horse was always saddled or ever seen it bareback please let me know. I have often wondered how the different meat markets received their animals for slaughter and know of at least one circumstance where the Van Norman’s identified the carcasses of their calves in the Bauser slaughter House near Drummond in late March 1921. Bauser stated he bought them from Bert Mitchell and both parties were arrested for the theft.
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