Immediately there was a revolutionary spirit manifested and plans were discussed how the "plow chasers" could be stopped. Looking back over the period of years how puny and childlike were the protests of the brave fellows who then comprised the citizenship; yet it was natural that their feelings should be stirred to the depths by the prospect of others coming to dispossess them of their homes; to upset their businesses and to change the trend of their lives.

The cow people as they were pleased to call themselves loved their calling and had come to almost believe that the ranges occupied by them belonged to them as by birthright. For a long time their possession had been without hindrance of other men or the government.

Strains of the "cowboy Swan song" could be heard in the spring of 1884 in any cow camp

in Dawes county. By the fall of the year every cowboy realized that the new era was at hand. The distinction of being the first to acknowledge it is accorded to Sam Cross of the '"33" outfit who rode into camp between Red Cloud and Mayfield ranch one noon and after listening to the boys discussing the possible tide of settlement he solemnly said :

"Fellers it's this-away. Cow time in this country will soon be over ; the grangers are already hyar; thar's two of 'em aholden down Squaw crick this mawnin.' I jest come by and talked to 'em and seed their government paper writin's fer the land ; and you shore can't beat the game. So my advice to you-all to hurry up and git some corn-fed gal to adopt ye and then turn in and hep her make a livin' jest like ye was born a granger."