Fred G. S. Hesse Papers, 1884-1892
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Hesse, Fred G. S., 1852-1929
- Title
- Fred G. S. Hesse Papers
- Dates
- 1884-1892 (inclusive)18841892
- Quantity
- 1 reel microfilm
- Collection Number
- Mss 033
- Summary
- Fred G. S. Hesse was a prominent Wyoming cattleman extensively involved with the Johnson County War of 1892. The collection contains correspondence, financial records, legal documents, clippings, cattle tallies, and writings relative to the Johnson County War.
- Repository
-
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and the University of Montana--Missoula.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for creating this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Biographical Note
Fred G. S. Hesse was born in 1852 and came to the United States from England in the early 1870s. In the summer of 1876 he went to Cheyenne, Wyoming, from Texas with a herd of cattle belonging to the Frewen Brothers. Hesse settled on the 76 ranch and remained there as a foreman for the Frewen Brothers until Moreton Frewen sold his business due to the depression in the cattle industry. Hesse bought part of their stock and started his own enterprise on the 28 ranch (1890), becoming one of the most successful in the county. Both ranches were located on Crazy Woman Creek near the town of Buffalo, Wyoming.
Hesse was among the main participants in the Johnson County War. Along with the other cattlemen frustrated with the failure of the judicial system to prosecute cattle rustlers, Hesse decided to get rid of the rustlers directly. For this purpose a group of stockgrowers organized an armed raid on Buffalo. Two of the suspected cattle rustlers were murdered, after which the invaders surrendered to government troops. Hesse was arrested with the other invaders, but he was never convicted. He continued in the cattle business until 1906, when he started sheep-raising. He served on the Executive Committee of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, and as a member of the Highway Commission during 1927-1928.
Hesse died in 1929.
Content Description
The collection contains correspondence, financial records, legal documents, clippings, cattle tallies, and writings relative to the Johnson County War. Correspondents include William Clarkson, E. E. Miller, E. W. Murphy, W. H. Rancer, the Big Horn Cattle Company, J. M. Ramsey, Charles H. Burritt, J. B. Menardi, Horace Plunkett, Frank A. Kemp, T. N. Matthews, J.B. Robinson, Louis L. Steele, and John Eddy. There are also financial records for the Robert Foote Company of Buffalo and Powder River, Wyoming.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to the University of Montana.
Preferred Citation
[Name of document or photograph number], Fred G. S. Hesse Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
The materials were microfilmed with little or no pre-arrangement of materials.
Location of Originals
Location of originals unknown.
Acquisition Information
Loaned for microfilming by J. A. Gage, date unknown.
Processing Note
The original processors appear to have filmed the collection without substantial arrangement. In 2004, the collection was re-described.
Related Materials
The American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming holds two collections of Hesse's papers.
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- British Americans -- Wyoming--Johnson County
- Johnson County War, 1892
- Ranching--Wyoming -- Johnson County
Form or Genre Terms
- Business records -- Wyoming--Johnson County
Occupations
- Ranchers--Wyoming -- Johnson County
Other Creators
-
Corporate Names
- Robert Foote Company
