Ranching in the Tetons

By James Berger

A joining ranches located in a high valley of the Teton Mountains challenge owners Jedediah Berg and Zackary Waterman with heavy snow, high winds and rustlers causing subsequent accidents and loss of livestock. Up-to-date equipment, top notch ranch hands, and hard work overcome these problems resulting i

• Language: English
• Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC
• Release date: Jun 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781684862092

James Berger

James Berger is a retired 85-year-old Engineer Manager who loves writing, woodworking, photography, cars, and fly fishing. James grew up on a ranch in Teton Valley, Idaho where he was helping his father with ranch work by age 11. He operated a tractor to prepare soil for planting oats to feed his horse and livestock on the ranch. He used a tractor to mow hay and helping to gather, bale and stack it. During his lifetime he witnessed the transition from horse to tractor power on farms and ranches. James has been a photographer for all his adult life acquiring photographs of his family and the outdoors in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. His favorite pastime since retirement in 1997 is to photograph and Teton Mountain Range over their entirety. He markets some photographs but places family and friends ahead of paying customers. James spent 39 years working as an engineer/manager in the Nuclear Industry writing and publishing over 18 technical papers for publication and presentation at Professional Society Meetings. He traveled to England, Scotland, France, Switzerland, and Germany for presentation of the papers. His technical writing includes books, documents and reports. His wife, Blythe, retired middle school teacher helped James make the transition from technical to historical fiction. She also edits his books. At the early age James started writing about his experiences growing up in Teton Valley, Idaho. His writings included histories and travel logs shared with his family and friends.

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CHAPTER

1

The Ranchers and a Murder

Saturday nights at the Timber Restaurant and Saloon in Easton were normally busy. Locals especially liked visiting the restaurant for the excellent food cooked by the owner’s wife, Anita. This cold January Saturday night was no exception. It was near 11:00 PM and the tables at the restaurant were still mostly occupied. Although Jedidiah Berg frequently dined at the restaurant, he was not in the Timber Saloon tonight to enjoy a meal. Tonight, he had trouble at the Circle Bar B and was at the Timber to find a person of interest.

Jed’s ranch operation was usually without serious problems, as the 1950’s in Teton Territory seemed well beyond the days of cattle rustlers and thieves. However, something happened tonight at the ranch that caused Jedidiah to rethink his friendship with his neighbor to the west, wealthy owner of the Circle W Ranch, Zackary Waterman. The Circle W was the largest operation in Teton Territory and tonight its owner was the cause of Jed’s concern. Jed was not in any rush to cause trouble with Zackary, because of his feeling for Zackary’s sister Kailey, but tonight he had to face him with a question that, if not handled wisely, could cause trouble between them.

The trip to Kansas City started to unravel mid-week when two of Circle Bar B’s best men, brothers Zeb and Zeke Walters, had run into trouble. They were on assignment in Kansas City, Kansas, looking for Purebred Charolais Bulls to cross-breed with the ranch’s Hereford cows. Jed had done his research and found he could increase his production through cross-breeding purebred Charolais with his Herefords. After five consecutive generations, a 31/32 Charolais animal would result. These animals would be the equivalent of purebreds. The timing was perfect. If the bulls could be found quickly, immediate shipping and a period of integration on the ranch could happen in time for the summer breeding season. A day after Zeb and Zeke’s arrival in Kansas City, they had called Jed to tell him they had located five excellent purebred Charolais bulls and thought they could be purchased. The price at this point was unknown, and the possible date of shipping would have to be negotiated, but the conversation suggested they were near a final deal.

The following night, Jed’s men called again to say that Harvey Chandler, Zac Waterman’s foreman, was also in Kansas City looking for Charolais bulls. They suggested cooperation between the two ranches. Jedidiah agreed, and told them that cooperation was dependent on an okay from Harvey’s boss, Zackary Waterman. A couple of nights later, Zeb called home to the Circle Bar B to report Zeke’s death. It had occurred at the Kansas City Budget Hotel where Zeb and Zeke were staying. Zeke was apparently killed while Zeb was out picking up a take-in dinner for the two of them. Just as Zeb arrived back at the Hotel with the dinners, Harvey Chandler came out of Zeke’s room, obviously in a hurry. Zeb rushed to the room and found Zeke with a knife in his chest, dead. Zeb immediately notified the police, then called Jed to tell him of the events. He assured Jed that the police would soon be investigating Chandler.

There was no proof of Zackary Waterman’s involvement, or that he even had knowledge of the event, but Jed knew he had to talk to him and see what kind of story he would tell.

As Jed walked into the Timber restaurant, the first person he saw was Chan Rowland, owner of the restaurant and saloon. He asked Chan, Have you seen Zackary Waterman here tonight?

Chan Rowland replied with a No! He offered no further comment.

Not knowing where to look next, Jed walked into the restaurant and came face to face with Zac. The sudden appearance of Zackary took Jed by surprise, and he found himself without words for a moment. When he regained his composure, he said, Hello Zackary, and offered small talk until finally saying, I would like to share some of Anita’s good coffee with you and talk about what’s happening in Kansas City.

Zac responded, Always glad to talk with a neighbor. I haven’t had any recent news from Harvey Chandler, who’s in Kansas City. What’s your interest in Kansas City?

When the coffee was served, Jed told Zac, I sent Zeb and Zeke Walters to Kansas City to find Charolais bulls for the Circle Bar B. While they were there, they ran into Harvey Chandler, and called to inform me that Harvey was also there looking for Charolais bulls. I agreed that cooperation with Harvey was okay, if you were in agreement. Two nights later, Zeb called to tell me Zeke had been murdered, stabbed with a knife. Zeb saw Harvey Chandler running from Zeke’s room. When Zeb arrived at Zeke’s room, he found him dead with a knife in his chest. He called the police and reported what he had seen. Harvey is now in jail, charged with Zeke’s murder.

The expression on Zac’s face didn’t change a whole lot during Jed’s description of the events as he knew them.

Zackary said, I know nothing of what you just told me. It is true that Harvey was sent to Kansas City for the purpose of finding purebred Charolais bulls, but he would have no reason to kill Zeke. From what I know, Harvey and Zeke were good friends. I think we should let the police do their job, and see what they come up with, before we come to any conclusions. I’ll call Chandler and see what he has to say.

The response from Zackary seemed reasonable, and after another cup of coffee, the two left on good terms.

The two neighboring ranchers had maintained good relations over the course of several years, helping each other during calving and haying seasons, and during the winter months when weather could throw hard punches their way. Jed was friends with Zackary’s sister, Kailey. The two of them attended grade and high school together and had dated on special occasions. Jed had a twenty-year-old sister, Mollie, who was also Kailey’s friend. Mollie was dedicated to helping Jed on the ranch, even though the inheritance given her upon their parent’s death allowed her total independence.

The ranch locations in Teton Territory placed them in the shadow of the three Tetons, which were the main attraction in the north south oriented Teton Mountain Range. Mountains lined these high-altitude ranches on three sides, capturing the winter snow, and providing a source of irrigation water for the summer grass, hay, and grain crops.

The Source of Water for the Ranches

CHAPTER

2

The Ranches

When Jed’s father, Spence Berg, passed away, he left the majority of the Bar B to Jed. His Father’s death was followed two months later by the death of his mother, Elizabeth Moulton Berg, leaving Jed’s sister Mollie as the only other living family member. Mollie Berg inherited a portion of the ranch and half of her parent’s considerable life savings. Jed inherited the remaining interest in the ranch and half of his parents’ savings upon the death of his mother. Both Jed and Mollie found themselves with financial security and the responsibility of operating a large and successful ranch. Mollie was twenty years old, a pert blonde with deep blue eyes and a way about her that men immediately noticed. She was responsible for keeping the house and supervising the meal preparation for the five ranch hands. The actual cooking was ably done by Ralph Covington, the ranch’s long-time cook. Mollie accepted her responsibilities, and performed them well. Her only downside, as far as Jed was concerned, was her attachment to Chuck Scott, the son of a local sheep rancher, Zanuck Scott. Chuck was a drinker and carouser and seemed headed for trouble. The relationship between them was not to Jed’s liking.

The Bar B was located at the mouth of Pole Canyon. The nearest town was Easton, about five miles north of the ranch. The ranch consisted of 1500 acres of prime pasture, hay, and grain land. The ranch’s water supply came from Pole Creek and the String Canal, and much of the hay land naturally irrigated with sub water. The place easily supported 1500 head of brood cows and their off-spring.

The ranch house, located on a hill just west of the canyon mouth, was built by Jed’s father over 40 years earlier. It was a large log structure with main living area, kitchen, dining room, 8 bedrooms and 5 full baths, all updated to 1950 standards. The living room was dominated by a large natural stone fireplace which was the focal point of the room, and the house for that matter. Day-to-day management of the ranch remained with Jedidiah, an arrangement left over from before his father’s death, and something he enjoyed. It remained an outlet for his boundless energy. He enjoyed accomplishing the many responsibilities involved with the ranch, and had the help of his five ranch hands, including both Zeb and Zeke Walters.

The Circle W had been purchased from a local rancher by Zac Waterman with funds his father had given him as his inheritance. Later, when his father and mother were killed in a car accident, his sister Kailey had moved from Bend, Oregon to live with him at the ranch. She was just under 6 years of age when their parents died. It had been difficult for her to deal with their parent’s death, and the changes brought about by the move, although Zackary had done everything, he could do to help her adjust.

After several years of operation, Zac had made the ranch very profitable. The Circle W spanned some 2500 acres in the southwest corner of the valley, with the Teton River providing the main water supply. Smaller streams coming from the south and west mountains provided additional irrigation and water supply for stock. Unlike the Bar B, the Circle W was almost entirely pasture and hay land, supporting over 2500 well-fed cows and calves. Zachary operated the ranch with the assistance of Kailey, even though she would much rather ride the ranch on her Appaloosa than spend time keeping the books, cooking, and house chores. In addition, six good hired men took care of the day-to-day operation under the direction of the foreman, Harvey Chandler. The house was taken care of by Alanda Vivas, a longtime housekeeper at the Circle W. Alanda had arrived before the death of Kailey’s mother and quickly became a mother figure and confidant for Kailey.

Both ranches were operated with modern machinery. Horses now played a minor role, but when needed, they became important to daily operations. Nearly all the ranch hands, as well as Jed, Mollie, Zac, and Kailey, had horses at their disposal at all times. The horses’ benefit to the ranches was the primary reason for their existence, but they were also used for forays into the Teton Mountains for pleasure and hunting elk, deer, moose, bear, mountain lions, and occasionally a stray bison from Yellowstone Park roaming the Teton Mountains.

After meeting Zac at the Timber Restaurant, Jedidiah returned to the Bar B to see if any news had arrived from Kansas City. The news was not good. Zeb had called and said the Charolais Bull sale had been called off and he had been unable to find another seller. He couldn’t find out why the sale had suddenly been cancelled. Zeke’s body had been released by the sheriff and was being shipped home for burial, and Zeb would be on a flight home the next day. Zeke’s killer had not been confirmed, although Harvey Chandler continued to be held as the only suspect.

The evening was cold and blustery, announcing a front moving in from the northwest. Cold temperatures and snow, possibly a large amount was in the forecast. Concern for the happenings in Kansas City was overshadowed for the moment by the need to prepare the ranch for the inclement weather moving toward Teton Territory.

After leaving the Timber restaurant, Circled W ranch owner Zackary Waterman went immediately to the ranch and made a call to his foreman Harvey Chandler, who was being held in the Kansas City jail. The story Zac got from Chandler was somewhat consistent with what he had been told by Jed. It seems Harvey had located some Charolais bulls, but had not made a deal to buy them. He had noticed Zeke at a local service station gassing up his rental car, and took the time to ask him what he was doing and where he was staying. Later, Harvey went to Zeke’s Hotel room to see if he and Zeb would like to have dinner with him. That’s when he found Zeke’s body, panicked, and ran from the room. The police had tracked him down, based on a description from Zeb Walters, who had seen Harvey leave Zeke’s room. He was now being held in jail awaiting trial for murder unless the ongoing investigation could prove him innocent.

After talking with Harvey Chandler, Zac realized he could do nothing until the investigation was closed, and decided to spend his time and energy preparing for the coming cold front and possible heavy snow. With Chandler out of the picture, he would have to take charge and work with his hired men to make the necessary preparation to care for the ranch’s 1500 pregnant cows and their last year’s calves. The latest weather forecast called for temperatures as low as 30 degrees below zero accompanied by lots of snow. Before turning his attention toward preparation for the incoming weather, Zac called Jedidiah at the Bar B and told him of the conversation with Harvey. Jed appreciated the information, and the two men agreed to stay in touch as more information came to light from the investigation of Zeke’s murder.

Early the next morning, Zac rousted the hands to an early breakfast prepared by Alanda Vivas with the help of Kailey. During the breakfast of fresh fruit, pan cakes, Denver scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, farm ham, and hot coffee, Jed alerted his men to the pending weather situation, and of the continued absence of Harvey Chandler. Each man was assigned a task in preparation for the incoming weather. Water holes were to be cleaned of ice, extra hay moved near the stock, horses moved to the barn, younger calves moved to the large enclosed shed, tractors checked for battery condition and adequate antifreeze. The ranch’s two Caterpillar DC-6’s was to be moved inside the large machinery shed near the house, where they would be readily available to clear snow and/or move hay to needed locations. Kailey and Alanda Visas were to prepare sandwiches and thermoses of hot coffee for the men’s use. Zac’s talent for organization soon had the men off to their assignments, allowing him to consider whether or not he had forgotten anything important.

Kailey came to her brother and asked, What about our neighbor, Jed? Does he need help, now that Zeke is gone?

Zac impatiently blurted out, ‘He is no worse off the than we are, with our foreman in jail!

Kailey said, I would like to just talk with him to make certain, and to offer our neighborly help. I will take one of the pickups and check with him this morning.

Knowing of his sister’s strong will and independence, Zac didn’t object. In fact, given the circumstances, it seemed like a good idea to maintain contact with Jed at the Bar B.

The drive to the Bar B took Kailey over an hour, as the storm was making the roads slick and difficult to navigate. As she neared the large entry gate to the Bar B, she was suddenly overcome with a feeling that something was wrong. She drove immediately to the large log ranch house on the hill, parked her pickup next to Jed’s garage, and then proceeded to the main door. As she reached the door, Chuck Scott threw it open, and moved past her on a dead run. After shouting at Chuck to ask what was wrong, to no avail, Kailey cautiously walked through the open door into a darkened living area. She was unable to make out much of anything. As her eyes started to adjust to the diminished light, she saw a form on the floor near the door to the kitchen, and ran to determine what or who it was. As she came nearer, a low moan told her someone was hurting and needing help. She found a female lying face down with blood coming from a large gash on her right temple. As she turned the person over, Kailey realized it was her good friend and Jed’s sister, Mollie.

Mollie moaned, He hit me! He hit me with his fist because I wouldn’t give him money for his stupid gambling habit! He was drunk and wouldn’t listen to reason. I want to call the sheriff! It has gone too far, and next time he will kill me!

As she moved toward the phone, Kailey said; I think you’re on the right track, Mollie. I will call the Sheriff and you can give him the story. Tell me Mollie, why do you stick with him? No one has the right to treat you the way he did!

An hour later, Sheriff Dwight Lowman arrived, and immediately started the questioning process. The Sheriff had a reputation for being a bit laid back, and would sometimes overlook concerns expressed to him saying, Just the way things are sometimes.

On this particular night, however, he was right on the mark in suggesting Mollie swear out a warrant for Scott’s arrest. During the questioning process between the sheriff and Mollie, Kailey found the necessary bandages and proceeded to dress Mollie’s gashed temple.

After signing the warrant, and receiving words of caution regarding further contact with Scott, Mollie said good-by to Sheriff Lowman, and then invited Kailey to stay for coffee and some talk. Mollie felt comfortable with Kailey and talked openly.

She said, Chuck Scott has gambled and lost so many times that he can’t convince his father to give him more money, so he has been coming to me for help. I have helped him with my personal funds until this. Tonight, I realized it would never come to an end! I finally I told him no!

Why have you let it go this far, asked Kailey.

He seemed so sincere about wanting to quit both drinking and gambling, and he treated me reasonably well. He never hit me until tonight, replied Mollie.

Mollie, you have done the right thing by putting a stop to his nonsense. Do you think there is a chance he will come back for revenge?

No Kailey, I think he is man enough to understand that he has to change to be of use to anyone, including himself.

Kailey said, Well, I’m glad I arrived when I did! The reason I came over was to see if Jed needs help with Circle Bar B livestock while preparing for the oncoming storm. I thought that without Zeke he might be a little short. My brother is willing to lend a hand.

Just as Kailey finished her statement Jed walked in from the barns. He immediately realized that something was wrong and asked, Mollie! What happened? Why the bandage?

Turning to look at Kailey, he said, I’m very glad to see you. Thanks for the obvious help!

Mollie told Jed what had happened, and then said, I am alright, and Jed, I’ve made the decision to ditch Chuck Scott!

I have worried for months about what might happen to you, Mollie, replied Jed. Chuck has been a bad influence on you, and spells trouble in spades. I hope you can now forget him, and get on with your life.

I really appreciate the offer your brother has made Kailey, and will gratefully accept his help. He can send a man over anytime. Tell him I will be in the barns preparing feed for the livestock for use during the storm.

Kailey went to Jed, gave him a big hug and said, I hate to leave, but I will go directly home to tell Zac you have accepted of his offer, and to let him know he will have to get along with Alanda Vivas for kitchen help, as I’m coming back to care for Mollie and to help you with the livestock. Can I get you anything while I’m gone?

Your brother may never forgive me, but I will gratefully accept your help as well, replied Jed. I think we have all the supplies we need to get us through the storm.

Kailey went to her car and started the drive back to the Circle W ranch. The wind was blowing a bit harder than on the trip over, and was piling the falling snow into drifts. She realized she had to move quickly, or she would be unable to return with help for Jed. As she turned in the driveway her brother, Zackary, met her and wanted to know the outcome