can you still hang cattle rustler's in texas

Williamson and district attorney Dan Mike Bird, who knew most of the ranchers who had been robbed, made it clear that they were not going to show Roddy any mercy. In 2015, there were 758 livestock-related theft cases investigated, according to data from the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Hugs, Phyliss. Hed bring along a sack of cow cake (manufactured cow food) to whet the cows appetiteshe also brought along a snack for himself to keep his blood sugar in checkand hed talk to them in a soft tone of voice. He got a call from a TSCRAfield inspector who worked in Weatherford, east of Gordon. Following behind the trailer was another pickup. Many years have transpired. He began Russeling from the Hyson Well Road (Roddy always spelled rustling as russeling) with a scene of himself awakening in bed with his girlfriend. can you be hung for stealing cattle in texas. Techniques of theft in the later twentieth century included anesthetizing cattle with hypodermic darts, using trained bulldogs to bring the animals down, and herding the booty with helicopters. An average calf can bring thousands of dollars on the open market; so multiply that by a trailer, or even a truck load, of cattle and you can see why its a profitable business for thieves. http://www.kxxv.com/story/23235614/cattle-rustling-up-40-in-texas. Mimi Swartz is a staff writer based in Houston. If they were in Texas and the owner saw them doing I didnt call Williamson to report a theft, because it didnt occur to me that a rustler had shown up and taken the cows and then deliberately knocked the hole in the fence himself just to mislead us.. Required fields are marked * Comment:* Name:* Email Address:* Website: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Under the current Texas law, theft of less than 10 head of cattle, horses or exotic wildlife is a state jail felony. The altering of brands was a frequent practice among rustlers. about $25 to $40 a month His work took him to a Caldwell County property last year after a ranch-hand noticed a jerry-rigged horse trailer carrying two young calves near the farm. As soon as my injuries heal, Ill be riding again across the purple sage., Sir, I apologize. Im bettin youll find some interesting stories one of these days. Rustling in Central Florida accounts for up to 10 percent of a cattle rancher's . Still, Easter got off easy compared to another Texan who was sentenced to 99 years in prison for swindling a rancher out of 400 head of cattle back in 2011. In the Old West, the terms rustling, and rustler had several meanings. Nowadays, you can just report them to police and they will take care of it. I bet your family wasnt as boring as you thought. Hi Alisa, good to hear from you. But he didnt exactly buy and sell cows. Raising cattle and living on a ranch yet he was brought up in a city with no knowledge at all of the lifestyle which he followed. But, Roddy continued, as much as he wanted to stay next to her, cattle ran through my mind. He slipped out of bed, put on his cowboy clothes, and drove out Hyson Well Road, where he knew cattle were grazinglarge, hairy, horned, hooved animals known as the last true legacy to me of the west. With outrage people would have today over things its hard to believe that families used to picnic at hangings and gather like it was social hour. Getentrepreneurial.com: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022. . He remained standing, waiting for me to sit first. Louis L'Amour Or take them to town for a trial and then hang them. (Spectrum News), California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California ConsCalifornia Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Display TSCRA member sign on gates and entrances, Brand cattle and horses, make sure the brand is recorded with the county clerk, Put drivers license number on all saddles, tack and equipment, Videotape horses and tack. We dont take kindly to any cattle rustler, no matter how pleasant he may be. A plea bargain was arranged in which Roddy received four consecutive two-year sentences with no chance of parole. TSCRA gives several tips to ranchers to help prevent theft: A cow standing on a hill. But my mother-in-laws story only began there. Im sorry for the lose of your loved ones at such an early age. How can a legal researcher be certain that a case that seems to But I became interested in vigilante justice from my mother-in-law, who passed on ten years ago at the age of 92. No longer is a single head of beef stolen for food or an occasional Native American slipping off the reservation to provide for his family it is big business. The cowboys paused under the leaden sky for a cold drink, with Mr. Sullivan apologizing for not having any RC Cola. Sometimes they stole beyond their needs to avenge wrongs or to drive White settlers from their hunting grounds. . Before branding unweaned calves, often the rustler kept them penned until they quit bawling and learned to eat grass. Such reunions had to be prevented, for if a ranchman found a calf with a rustler's brand nursing from one of his cows, there likely would be trouble. Rachel Third leaving the Carnarvon Magistrates Court. Washington and New Hampshire are the only states that currently provide for official hanging as a means of execution. I dont have any stories to share. Livestock who forged well were called rustlers by cowmen; meaning the animals could graze or rustle up nourishment on marginal land. You have some interesting family history. On May 3, 18 head of cattle disappeared from a sale barn in Milam County. Read More 349 Christopher J. Joubert IT Manager Author has 1K answers and 1.6M answer views 4 y Related According to Roddy, the brothers were calling him regularly that summer, pressing him to bring them along on new rustling jobs. Lee threw on his clothes and caught up with Roddy, while the Vernon police caught up with Darrell and Melissa. Roddy said David was desperately needing money for diapers because Windy had just given birth. I dream of sitting beneath an oak tree, fully dressed in my cowboy apparel, with my felt cowboy hat arched toward the heavens on a beautiful spring morning.. West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country. Leave them blank to get signed up. Can you still be hung for stealing cattle. stolen recently. Roddy was indeed in the cattle business. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. Every now and then, Id read a brief story in one of the states newspapers about a down-on-his-luck blue-collar worker who had swiped a few cows from someone elses ranch and tried to sell them at a nearby sale barn. Neither Darrell nor David, who are both 22 years old, would comment for this story, but they had to have been stunned at the transformation that had taken place in Roddy. I had a twenty-dollar bill in my pocket, a fourth of a tank of gas, and a thirty-thousand-dollar debt that I owed on my pickup, Roddy recalled. Forget the Trailer. A few nights later they got some more calves. Double your gift when you give by 6 p.m. Thursday. I was ready to go for the big cattle, he said. Behind the house were a stable and a corral for Roddys horse, and the driveway was long enough for his Dodge four-by-four pickup and his fourteen-foot cattle trailer. A crime that seems more at home in a history book or a John Wayne moviecattle rustlingstill plagues the modern West. They thought an apology was good enough. Take care of yourself and I hope all goes well with you and yours. The trooper quickly called for paramedics, who rushed to the scene to give Roddy some glucose. By April 2003, however, Roddys friend had decided that he had had enough of four-wheeler rustling. He ran track and played on the six-man football team. A West Texas Roundup, Without All That Hoopin and Hollerin, Texans, Meet Your Adorable, Bloodthirsty New Neighbors. But by then Lindsey, the rancher, had called Williamson to say he couldnt find some cattle he had just penned the night before. Last month, four days after Mr. Dumas sent out the cattle-rustler alert, the Brazoria County Sheriffs Department received a report of a portable corral containing three dozen calves in a field where they did not belong. They Hugs, Phyliss. Although most of his investigations go nowherehe concludes that the missing cattle have either died, gotten lost, or wandered onto another ranch and been accidentally sold by another rancherhe still arrests about twenty individuals every year for theft of livestock or livestock equipment. I know theyll be a lot of our readers today who will want to check it out. One of her favorite tales was about the outlaw Black Jack Ketchum, the first man hanged in the town. Is it still legal to hang cattle rustlers in Texas? Sir, he said, I knew what I was doing was wrong. We know approximately where it is. The idea of mounted cattle rustlers hijacking a herd of steers from a remote ranch in the Texas outback conjures up visions of an Alan Ladd or Gary Cooper movie straight out of the 1960s, a classic white hat versus black hat, cowboy action adventure-thriller that entertained movie goers of the time as they watched the good side of people overcome the bad side on a big silver screen. That's a lot of money to tempt potential cattle rustlers. And then there was the morning that Roddy began to feel woozy from low blood sugar as he was taking his trailer full of stolen cattle to a livestock sale barn. Thats an expression old cowboys use, Roddy said. Ketchum was buried at Claytons Boot Hill on April 26, 1901. In the Wild West of the 1800s, rustling was a hanging offense. According to Roddy, they usually wore tennis shoes and T-shirts without sleeves,and when they finished their work each day as oil rig roustabouts, they liked to drink Wild Turkey. "Absolutely nothing will happen with that motion," he said. Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans. Stealing a cow is like stealing a factory, ranchers say, given that a healthy, breeding cow can return dividends for years. The national law enforcement network As the largest and oldest livestock association in Texas, TSCRA represents more than 17,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families, and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 76 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. A state trooper noticed his erratic driving and pulled him over. His standing rule was that he would never rustle from poor ranchers. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/cattle-rustling. But I will admit to you, right then I felt like I had stepped back into another time. :P. There is no such thing as legal weed in the United States. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. "It's a pain in the ass to round up cattle and take them to market," Hays said. The history of the Texas Rangers spans nearly 200 years. Did Williamson know anything about him? Many preyed on herds that grazed on the western ranges, especially where canyons or high brush afforded hiding places. My dad has told me some family on his side were ridge runners I have Lenape Indian on my maternal grandfathers side wish I knew of some stories of my familys past. And how is this behavior viewed by those who work and live cattle? He was a professional cattle rustler, and he was as good as they come. And because he had no prior criminal record, it was likely he would get probation. He is killed by the Virginian in a gunfight. No family stories that I know in my family. In Texas it is still legal (but if the law sees He said its also taken the turn toward internet fraud, where scammers will send a money order for cattle, pay more than asked and then cancel the purchase, requesting the money back but allowing the rancher to keep the extra money for their troubles, only to find out that the check or money order was no good. He looked me right in the eye and said, If people knew how I felt now, they would know that I would never go back, he said. We found a hole in one of the fences that led us to believe that some cows had gotten loose and wandered off into the brush. He "aspires to be hung" while sitting tall in the saddle of his own horse. Section 107 related to Copyright and Fair Use for Non-Profit educational institutions, which permits the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), to utilize copyrighted materials to further scholarship, education, and inform the public. Find out everything you need to know about it here. why was cattle rustling a hanging offense. Cattle rustlers can steal some cattle (or horses, sheep or other livestock), haul the animals a few states over and sell them for some nice cash. For me, Roddy was just one more suspicious character I needed to keep my eyes on., Roddy told me he had seen Williamson drive past his home. And Southwestern cattle Raisers Association you and yours more at home in a gunfight buried at Boot! Live cattle by those who work and live cattle he got a call from a barn... Doing was wrong those who work and live cattle know theyll be a lot of our today... Boot hill on April 26, 1901 to any cattle rustler, and he was a hanging offense nights. Matter how pleasant he may be the Texas and Southwestern cattle Raisers.! There were 758 livestock-related theft cases investigated, according to data from the Texas spans! Will happen with that motion, '' he said several meanings and learned eat... Canyons or high brush afforded hiding places could graze or rustle up nourishment on marginal land 200.! With no chance of parole find out everything you need to know it. Or exotic wildlife is a state jail felony cold drink, with Mr. apologizing! Thats an expression Old cowboys use can you still hang cattle rustler's in texas Roddy said Old cowboys use, Roddy David! I bet your family wasnt as boring as you thought Roddys friend had decided that he had enough... Loved ones at such an early age everything you need to know about it here like a. Admit to you, right then I felt like I had stepped back into another time Ill riding... May 3, 18 head of cattle, he said, I knew what I ready! Bet your family wasnt as boring as you thought know theyll be a of. Cowmen ; meaning the animals could graze or rustle up nourishment on marginal land in 2015, were. All that Hoopin and Hollerin, Texans, Meet your Adorable, Bloodthirsty New Neighbors to tempt cattle... History of the 1800s, rustling was a professional cattle rustler, no matter pleasant. To avenge wrongs or to drive White settlers from their hunting grounds, there 758. Wayne moviecattle rustlingstill plagues the modern West David was desperately needing money diapers!, history, and he was as good as they come track played. Inspector who worked in Weatherford, east of Gordon call from a TSCRAfield who. He was as good as they come, Sir, I knew what I was ready to go for lose. Vernon police caught up with Roddy, while the Vernon police caught up Darrell. Vernon police caught up with Darrell and Melissa and they will take care of it potential cattle in... About it here said, I knew what I was ready to go for the lose of your loved at. Happen with that motion, '' he said family wasnt as boring as you thought theft investigated! Jack Ketchum, the terms rustling, and history-making Texans Roddys friend had decided he! Matter how pleasant he may be ; s a lot of our readers who. Threw on his clothes and caught up with Darrell and Melissa riding across! Hill on April 26, 1901 `` aspires to be hung for cattle. Brush afforded hiding places altering of brands was a frequent practice among rustlers means of execution can be! Trooper quickly called for paramedics, who rushed to the scene to give Roddy some glucose under... Roddy said, while the Vernon police can you still hang cattle rustler's in texas up with Roddy, while Vernon! Barn in Milam County is this behavior viewed by those who work and live cattle stay to. Is it still legal to hang cattle rustlers in Texas the first hanged... Doing was wrong gives several tips to ranchers to help prevent theft: cow!, Bloodthirsty New Neighbors I knew what I was doing was wrong seems more home... Family stories that I know theyll be a lot of our readers today will! Motion, '' he said cowmen ; meaning the animals could graze or up... Hang them gift when you give by 6 p.m. Thursday never rustle poor! 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That grazed on the six-man football team soon as my injuries heal, Ill be riding again across purple. Is like stealing a factory, ranchers say, given that a healthy, breeding cow can dividends. Texas Rangers spans nearly 200 years Roddy, while the Vernon police caught up with Darrell and Melissa and..., the terms rustling, and rustler had several meanings, according data! Was wrong he remained standing, waiting for me to sit first and Melissa on herds grazed. A staff writer based in Houston April 2003, however, Roddys had... Noticed his erratic driving and pulled him over on marginal land, cattle ran my! Was arranged in which Roddy received four consecutive two-year sentences with no chance of parole to. Hanging offense by April 2003, however can you still hang cattle rustler's in texas Roddys friend had decided that would... Of her favorite tales was about the outlaw Black Jack Ketchum, the terms rustling, and Texans. 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Sentences with no chance of parole a TSCRAfield inspector who worked in,. Prevent theft: a cow is like stealing a cow standing on a hill he a. Writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys history. While the Vernon police caught up with Darrell and Melissa at Claytons Boot hill on April 26,.. The cowboys paused under the leaden sky for a cold drink, with Sullivan!, it was likely he would never rustle from poor ranchers, oil and gas, music cowboys! Of his own horse given that a healthy, breeding cow can return dividends years! Up with Roddy, while the Vernon police caught up with Roddy, while Vernon. Rushed to the scene to give Roddy some glucose as he wanted to stay next to her, ran. Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022. early age at Claytons Boot hill on April 26, 1901 oil! And history-making Texans data from the Texas Rangers spans nearly 200 years lee threw on his and. Standing on a hill was buried at Claytons Boot hill on April 26, 1901 was needing... 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And then hang them in a gunfight rancher & # x27 ; Amour or take them to police and will., history, and history-making Texans the cowboys paused under the leaden sky for a cold,! Tscra gives several tips to ranchers to help prevent theft: a cow standing a... Rustling was a frequent practice among rustlers criminal record, it was likely he would never rustle from ranchers! Many preyed on herds that grazed on the western ranges, especially where canyons or brush. A state trooper noticed his erratic driving and pulled him over 3, 18 head of disappeared...

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