[Courtesy: Tillie Williams]

Copy of the first meeting of the Crow Creek and Indian Creek Stock Association. Radersburg, Mont. March 27, 1915:

The stockmen of Crow Creek Valley and vicinity met in due form at the school house at Radersburg for the purpose of organizing a stock association. Motion made and carried that they be the Crow Creek and Indian Creek Stock Association. The following named persons were elected: Wm. P. George, President; Willis Smith, Secretary. A committee of seven was appointed to draft rules and regulations and by-laws governing the association: George W. Webb; Tom Williams; Willis Smith; Warren Parker and Charles Larson, "Forest Supervisor", all of Radersburg and Karsten Kolberg and Cassius F. Merritt of Townsend. Motion made and carried that the by-laws as read be adopted. The following were elected as members of the advisory board: Tom Williams; W. E. Spangler; Wm. P. George; Willis Smith and Karsten Kolberg. Motion made and carried that the advisory board have the power to appraise all the bulls of the association either thoroughbred or grade, and the power to buy them, the members agree to take the appraised value of such bulls.

Motion made and carried that the advisory have the power to buy enough thoroughbred bulls on the outside to make up the deficiency for this year. The board decided on two bulls for each one hundred head of permitted cattle and two pounds of salt per head a month.

Receipts- $58.00— List of members— there were 29— each paid $2 membership fee:
 

Radersburg, Mont. April 10, 1915.

The Crow and Indian Creek Stock Ass’n met in due form at the School House at 11 AM with the following officers present: W.P. George, Pres.; Willis Smith, Sec’ty; and the members of the Advisory Board. Minutes of the last meeting read and approved. Mr. Seely present at the meeting. [Seely probably the Forest Supervisor.] Adjourned until 1:30 PM. All present; board levied an assessment of $2 per head on all permitted cattle to purchase bulls and 25¢ per head to pay a man to herd the cattle. Frank Galvin levied at $75 per month to do the herding. 

Secretary instructed to notify the members of the ass’ment.
Motion to adjourn - carried.

Radersburg, Mont. Oct. 4, 1915, 10:15 AM. 

Special meeting of the Crow and Indian Stock Ass’n held in due form at the old school house. William P. George, President, Willis Smith, Sect’y, and the members of the Advisory Board present. Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved. The following resolution adapted as a protest against throwing out land now in the Helena National Forest. The undersigned, members of the Crow and Indian Stock Ass’n and users of the Helena National Forest would respectfully enter a protest against the removal of the present Reserve, part of Tp. 7N. and Tp. 6N.Range 1 and 2 West, as injurious to the users of the Reserve as it is at present and would ask that you use your best endeavors to have the above mentioned sections retained in the Reserve. It would take a great part of the grazing lands from our stock and be an injury to the farmers and stockmen of Crow and Indian Creeks. Respectfully, - signed by the members.

No other business- Motion to adjourn. Carried.

December 2, 1915, Radersburg, Mont.

Members of the Crow and Indian Stock Ass’n met in due form at a special meeting. President, Secretary and members of the Advisory Board present.
Motion carried that the President appoint a committee of three members to see John Harwood and make what arrangements they can with him regarding the selling of Tom Williams’ steer to Geo. Arnold of Winston. President appoints Ben Smith, George Webb and Willis Smith.

Meeting adjourned until Sat., 1 PM Dec. 4.

Radersburg, Mont. Dec. 4, 1915

 Members of the Crow and Indian Stock Association met in due form at a special meeting. President, Secretary and all members of the advisory board present except Kolberg. Report of committee as follows: We the committee beg leave to submit the following report. That we saw and talked to John Harwood and investigated the case in question and find that it should be looked into further by legal authorities. Tom Williams instructed to go and see the steer and see an attorney and get his advise on the matter.

Dec. 8. - After getting the advise from O. W. McConnell and finding that there was not grounds for a conviction, a settlement was made with Mr. Harwood on Dec. 10.
 

Moved and seconded- the assessment for bulls to be $3.50 per head on all permitted she cattle. Permittee to be credited for the amount paid last year. Motion made and seconded that Rule 4 be amended to read 3 bulls for each 100 head of permitted she cattle. Motion carried.
 
 

Motion made and seconded that the Crow and Indian Stock Association fence a pasture on the forest reserve to be used as a beef pasture. Vote taken by ballot- 15 for; 2 against. Motion carried. Motion made by Kimpton that an assessment be levied on all permitted cattle to fence a section of pasture, build cabin, corrals and put stock scales and any other improvements necessary. Vote by ballot taken- 15 for and 2 against, motion carried. Motion made and seconded that a committee of three be appointed by the President to go with the forester to look out a suitable location for pasture. Motion carried. President appoints Wm. P. George, Tom Williams and Ben Smith as the committee.
 
 

Report of committee on pasture accepted as follows: pasture selected at head of Jenkins Gulch and Warner Gulch across Warner Ridge to the bluff across south South Crow Creek above the old Blacker corrals. Motion made and seconded that the permittees be allowed to purchase and care for their own bulls at the rate of one bull to 33 cows and run them on the range.

Motion made and seconded that this Ass’n adopt a resolution to abolish the winter grazing permits. Vote by ballot taken. W.P. George and Cassius Merritt tellers. 10 for; 7 against. Motion carried. Receipts $24.
 
 

Motion made and seconded that the Advisory Board be the power to do and see that the Ass’n be duly incorporated. Carried. Motion made and seconded that all permittees running cattle or horses on the Forest Reserve covered by the Crow and Indian Stock Ass’n salt their own stock in troughs. At an Advisory Board meeting in 1914 held at the Forest Office in Townsend, the board decided on uniform salt troughs to be placed on the forest. Troughs to be made of rough lumber 7 feet long, 14 inch bottoms, 12 inch sides, ironed at each end with two bolts, one at top and one at bottom, trough irons outside of end board. Each permittee to make and take out one trough.

It was discussed and agreed to drop out those persons not in favor of benefit by the beef pasture proposed by the members of the Ass’n. The individuals favoring the pasture are as follows: Ben Smith, Tom McMullen, John Whaley, W. K. Parker, Willis Smith, Leslie Smith, Albert Smith, Wm. George, Ben Webb, George Webb, Ed Spangler, Tom Williams, and George Holling.
 
 

The Articles of Incorporation were read and adopted. Carried. Motion made and seconded that the levy of 60¢ be made on all permitted cattle to build a fence for the pasture and corrals. Carried.
 
 

Motions made, seconded and carried were: that an assessment be levied on all permitted cattle to raise enough money to refund $21.15 borrowed from the salt fund; an assessment of 7¢ per head be levied on all permitted cattle to pay up balance due on note and replace money used from salt and membership funds; that the Association change their banking to some other bank.
 
 

Motions made, seconded and carried were: the Association use the special Salt Lake Stock salt for the season of 1922, at $1.22 per hundred F.O.B. Toston; that the Ass’n purchase 250 sacks (100 pounds), or more of the special stock salt of the Toston Mer. Co. at $1 per H.; that the special rules be amended to read Registered Hereford and Shorthorn Bulls be required on the range; amendment to the motion that all bulls purchased from March 2, 1922 on, be Registered Bulls either Hereford or Shorthorn breed. Vote on amendment: 23 for; 9 against- motion carried. Vote on regular motion: 9 for; 1 against- carried. The association goes on record to assist the Forest Service in building a drift fence in the Poe Park about June 15, 1922. No other business, motion to adjourn- carried.
 
 

Motion made and seconded that the Crow Creek and Indian Creek Stock Ass’n go on record against the creation of any game preserves, carried unanimously.
 
 

Motions made, seconded and carried were: that the Stock Ass’n buy a car of mixed salt. That the cattle be apportioned on the North and South side of the range on a 50/50 basis. Dues for the American Livestock Ass’n was $9. [This was the American National Livestock Ass’n.]
 
 

Motion made and seconded that the Ass’n go on record as protesting to the further increase in grazing fees. Two other motions which carried were: that enough money be raised to pay the Sec’ty salary for the past two years and that the Sec’ty salary be cut from $25 to $15 per year.
 
 

Motions made, seconded and carried: that the deferred payments on grazing fees be granted on all preference permits and permits over $10 for 1932; that the President appoint a committee of three to go with the Forest officials to look over the Dahlman Gulch range, and figure out a workable plan for this range. President appoints Tom Williams, Evan Kimpton and Leslie Smith. A committee of three was appointed to meet with the Forest Service at Townsend to look over the applications for permits and pass on them. Willis Smith, Guy Kirscher and Tom Williams appointed.
 
 

Motion made and seconded that the Dahlman Gulch division be annexed and made a part of the Crow Creek range. Carried 8 for, 2 against.
 
 

Motion made and seconded that all permittees on the South side holding an interest in the Beef pasture go up and fix the fence. Motion carried.
 
 

Tom Williams Jr. was elected to the Advisory Board.
 
 

Motion made and seconded that a herder be employed for a specified time above the drift fence. Motion by ballot: 5 for, 6 against. Motion lost.
 
 

An assessment of 5¢ per head was levied on all permitted stock to pay all delinquent bills. Motion made and seconded that beginning 1939 every other meeting be held at Radersburg. Carried.
 
 

Motion made seconded and carried was that the Advisory Board be empowered to make assessments up to and including 50¢ per head.
 
 

Special meeting of the Crow Creek Stock Ass’n and the stockmen of Broadwater County held at the Courthouse. Representatives from Meagher and Wheatland counties also. Motion made and seconded that the stockmen of the three counties go on record as favoring a stock inspector to work in conjunction with the three counties. Carried.
 
 

Motion made, seconded and carried that the Association go on record against the planting of elk on the Elkhorn range and the Sec’ty instructed Forest Service and Taylor Grazing.
 
 

Motion made, seconded and carried that the stockmen request an open season of eight days on elk on Dry Creek, South Crow Creek, and Dahlman Creek. 
 
 

Motions made, seconded and carried: that the salt be increased to 3# per head per month; and that the Ass’n accept the figures as submitted by the Forest Service as to the number of head each permittee be entitled to run on the range for the season of ‘43, which was 1323 head. This number was for both sides. [In 1979 the number of head on the Crow and Indian Creek sides was 1244.]
 
 

Mr. A.D. Moir was Forest Supervisor. Motions made, seconded and carried were: 1)- that the Ass’n ask the Game Commission to exterminate all the elk on the range, but in cooperation with all the sportsmen and the Game Comm. and voted to reduce the herd to 150. The Game Comm. to use their own judgment as how to exterminate them. John Williams was elected to the Advisory Board in 1943 and 1944. And that 2)- a committee of three from the North side and three from the South side be appointed to study conditions on the range and make recommendations for work to be done after the war. [There were no materials to be had for repair and no help to do the repairs and other work.]
 
 

Motion made, seconded, that a committee be appointed to find a location for the herder on the North side. Ed Ragen, Thomas Williams, Phil Whaley and Lonnie Merritt appointed. Carried. Reports for improvements on the North side are a trough in the head of Eagle basin, and development on Eureka Ditch so water be carried on to some dry range. For better distribution on the range Mr. Moir suggests a herder- and block salt be placed in remote places to draw cattle. Mr. Moir states that 11/3 tons of hay per head as an average and the permittee must raise 3/4 of his hay to be commensurate. Mr. Moir states straw alone is not enough for commensurability but grain or hay must be fed with it. Four ton of wheat straw is equal to one ton of hay. Two limits established: lower limit and upper limit. Lower limit 125 head most any permittee can get by grant or temporary permit. Upper limit 200 head most can get by waiver. Mr. Moir said lower limit should be reduced to 100. Motion made and seconded lower limit remain 125 head. Carried.
 
 

The meeting was called for the purpose of hiring a herder for the 1945 season. Motion made by Warren Parker and seconded by Ed Ragen that Frank Galvin be hired at $150 per month, for the season beginning May 25, ending Oct. 25 — a period of 5 months. Ed Ragen appointed range boss for the North side. Ben Webb appointed range boss of the South side. Mr. Moir informed the Board that Tom Williams had been elected to represent the Townsend district on the Advisory Board for the Helena National Forest.
 
 

Motion made and seconded that Robert Harris and W.D. Williams be accepted as new members. Carried. Ben Webb asks association about wire left over from the Old Association fence. George Webb said it belonged to Thos. Williams. Thomas McMullan said it should be sold and money be put in the Association fund. After much discussion, it was voted to leave the wire to be used for the Association as they see fit. Motion made and seconded that the wire which is rolled up be turned over to the North side. The dues this year are still one dollar.  W. D. Williams and Robert C. Harris both paying $3 each- $2 for initiation fee and $1 for dues. John Williams, range boss for the North side and Jack Smith, range boss for the Sough side. Discussion on herder quarters. Mr. MacGregor, Ranger, said he could use the Eagle Ranger Station and there is a camp on the South side.
 
 

Mr. Moir says fees this year were the highest ever charged. In 1931 they were 24¢ per cow based on cattle at $6.62 per hundred. In 1947 they will be 51¢. In the past years non-use permits were granted for three years for the convenience of the permittees, now they are granted for one year unless it will benefit the range.
 
 

Thos. Williams elected by acclamation to be the representative on the Forest Wide Advisory Board.
 
 

Meeting called to order by Pres. Bill Williams. Members present were John Williams, Jack Smith, Bill Ragen; absent Rowland Kimpton. Forest officers present were A. D. Moir, J. J. Edwards and George Engler. Meeting called for the purpose of deciding what to do about sage brush control. Mr. Moir states there is $900 available for the job plus some seed on hand. He further explained that 20 acres be burned, 10 of which be reseeded and 10 not reseeded. Motion made by Ragen that we go ahead with the experiment. Seconded. It was decided to leave cattle on Forest until Oct. 10 unless it storms. This was due to the elk season. Meeting adjourned.

Forest Office; Members voted to pay Chas. Shaw $18 shoeing horses at Eagle Ranger Station for Jack Blake, herder. This price was for two horses. Mr. Moir explained that the Elk season on Crow Creek area would open on Oct. 15 and last for four days. Season to be open on all antlered bulls Bill Williams was elected President by acclamation. John Williams and Earl Webb elected range bosses. [It is the word that they were in the same position from then to 1979 when this was written.] Hugh Lennon, herder, was paid $200 per month beginning five days before regular season and continuing ten days past regular season. Herder to furnish own oats and shoeing. Carried.