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February 19, 1999
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Volume 6, Number 11 |
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About OCNCover
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ARCHIVESEarly Matador Ranch employee left colorful willAt the turn of the 19th century, the "Q" horse ranch, near Kyle, SK, had extensive operations along the South Saskatchewan River. In 1902, 50,000 acres were leased to the Matador Cattle Company, an American firm. The company grass-fattened steers and heifers until 1922, when the provincial government, under pressure from farmers and ranchers, rendered it into community pasture. In the 1930s, the Department of Animal Husbandry used the Matador for cross-breeding experimentation with sheep and with cattle. The Matador pasture now includes about 2.5 sections of native grass land on the northern edge of Lake Diefenbaker. In processing the records of the Matador Project (1967-1972) - in which U of S plant ecologists participated in the International Biological Program studying agricultural productivity - Tim Hutchinson, of University Archives, came upon the following will and testament of one James Barnet Henson, which he thought would be an interesting Archives item in OCN.
"This is the Last Will and Testament of me James Barnet Henson of the ranch of The Matador Land & Cattle Co. in the postal district of Saskn Landing and Province of Saskatchewan made this 28th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and nineteen. "I revoke all former Wills or other Testamentary Dispositions by me at any time heretofore made, and declare this only to be and to contain my last Will and Testament. "I direct all my just debts, funeral and Testamentary expenses to be paid and satisfied by my Executors hereinafter named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. "I give, devise and bequeath all my Real and Personal Estate of which I may die possessed in the manner following, that is to say: "I direct my executors, William B. Bullock of the 6-T ranch, Herbert Alexander Knight of the Hills and Frank Dudley formerly of the 3-3 Ranch, to immediately sell by public auction the whole of my real estate situated in the city of Swift Current Saskn and with the monies thus procured to create a fund, to be ultimately used for the extermination of that class of Vermin, commonly known as farmers, who are at present polluting by their presence, the country adjacent to the South Saskatchewan River. "I further direct my aforesaid executors to dispose of my horse, saddle, bridle, chaparajos, bed, and clothing, either by public auction or private sale, and to pay the proceeds of such sale to my sincere friend Gladys Baker as a slight remembrance of her many amiable qualities. I bequeath to Loused Louis Tomson of Horse Butte one package of Insect Powder, and one cake of Lifebuoy disinfecting Soap, in recognition of the fact that he is able to get dirtier in a shorter space of time than any other person that it has been my lot to meet. "I will and bequeath to J.R. Lair of the Matador Ranch, one package of Rough on Rats, and one ounce of Kill 'Em Quick Gopher Poison, and recommend that he take the same immediately. I further direct my executors to annually donate two hind quarters of Matador beef to the person who poisoned the hounds of the above mentioned J.R. Lair in the month of Dec. 1916, such beef to be procured during one of those frequent fits of temporary insanity to which the mismanager of the Matador Ranch is subject. "All the residue of my Estate not hereinbefore disposed of I give, devise and bequeath unto Isadore LaPlante of Saskatchewan Landing of High Point P.O. And I nominate and appoint William Bullock, Herbert Alexander Knight & Frank Dudley to be Executors of this my last Will and Testament." James Barnet Henson
"In Witness whereof ... "This is a Codicil to my Last Will and Testament bearing date the 28th day of September 1919, and which I direct to be a part thereof. I give, devise & bequeath to George Winser my Navajo saddle-blanket; to William Vincent Smith my rope; to Pete LaPlante my rifle, in recognition of the fact that they are respectively the best rider, the best foot-roper and the best shot in the Hills. Finally I leave to each & every Mossback my perpetual curse, as some reward to them for their labors in destroying the Open Range, by means of that most pernicious of all implements, the plow. As witness my hand this the 9th day of May 1922." James Barnet Henson
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Next issue of On Campus News: Friday, March 12
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