One of the rules adopted by this organization was that all unbranded cattle found by the roundups were to be taken to the final rendezvous, and there sold to the highest bidder, the proceeds to go into the treasury of the association. This was obviously about the only thing they could do, but should the roundup catch the lone cow of an early settler, if she chanced to be unbranded, it was appropriating property that did not belong to the association. I think there was one or two decisions that gave the cow back even after being branded, where the ownership was proven.

Early grangers found considerable fault with this scheme and there is no doubt that this practice or system brought in the mind of many a settler, and even some cowboys, justification for rustling calves, and killing for beef.

This rustling in western Nebraska, became almost a joke in the years of 1887 and 1888. Men increased their herds at a rapid rate. Many cows raised "twins" and on one occasion, a steer was credited with raising seventeen calves in one season. The smaller ranches were as busy as the grangers in this work. That is they did as much or more of it, but they held aloof from any entangling alliances.

The cowboys learned the trick, and located unbranded stuff in the herds driven ahead with the roundup. At some likely place, in some manner, one of the men would manage to single out the cow, or heifer, or steer without