Archives West Finding Aid

Ruled and numbered pages likely taken from a bound ledger volume bear the title "Record of Events while ranching on Billman Creek" and has entries dated from October 22, 1886 through April 10, 1887. The first entries are actually a summation of the first three months, documenting the writer's activities at a place he calls "Cold Spring Ranche" on Upper Billman Creek, but after January 17, 1887 the dated entries appear to be made concurrent with the events they describe. Weather conditions factor heavily in these entries, along with activity such as cutting fence posts, moving cattle to various pasturage locations, and mentioning by first name family members, hired help, and neighboring ranchers. As the entries continue into the spring of 1887, the writer mentions his involvement in a civil lawsuit which requires him to travel into "town" [Livingston?] where he eventually loses the case. The folder containing the manuscript also includes a typed transcript prepared by Merrill G. Burlingame.