Jolly Dance, a special correspondent for the Devils Lake Inter-Ocean newspaper in March of 1887, did an inspection of various ranches.

Following are excerpts of his account:

So much had been said about the severity of the winter on stock along the Mouse River in 1887, Mr. Dance was determined to take a trip along the river and visit a few of the ranches to be able to see for himself the condition of the cattle and how they were wintering so far. It was obvious that the cattle had started into the winter poorly. The chances were against them coming out in good condition. Many would be unable to hold their own while out rustling in the timber, without sheds, and would have to be taken up to the barn and fed ground feed.

The first ranch he visited was the one to the extreme north end of Mouse River, owned by Messrs. Prouty & Richardson, of Grand Forks, with Mr. Andrew Nohle as manager. They have more than 800 head at this ranch, and it was probably one of the largest ranches on the river. They lost some twenty head; that is, counting calves, and if they got through without losing any more Messrs. Prouty & Richardson would have no cause to complain. Their cattle were all in fair condition, and these gentlemen would have some very fine grass-fed steers to turn off later in the year and should command a good price. This ranch was run on an economic basis, there being no expensive buildings, but only enough buildings to be absolutely necessary, and of crude description.

The next ranch was Honorable John Elv’s but owing to lack of time he would only be able to take a passing view of the cattle, and so do not feel entitled to derive an accurate account or his stock.

Stopping at Thursby’s ranch the next morning, he had an opportunity to look through his cattle, which all appeared in first rate order. Mr. Thursby evidently though felt the cattle required more shelter than the timber, as he had erected a substantial shed, 78 x 88 feet. His herd had some ten calves this winter and he had succeeded in saving eight of these, which Is good when it is taken into consideration the fact that he was not prepared to have warm accommodations for so many calves coming in all at the same time. He did expect to have an increase of about 48 half-blood polled Angus calves along in April and May.

Owing to a scarcity of time he was unable to visit the ranches of Messrs. Conlin, Davis, Kennedy or Richards. While Mr. Richards lost more cattle than the whole of the Mouse River put together – the number not being more than 80 or 90 head. They had been shipped to Minnewaukan and then driven to the Mouse River across the burnt prairie, consequently they were poor and in no condition to go through such severe winter without any sheds.

Mr. Fred Powers was the next gentleman I called upon and whose ranch is located about one mile from Towner. They inspected the herd, which consists of about 270 head, chiefly yearlings. Some or Mr. Power’s cattle stampeded during the big storm and these looked somewhat poor, but the remainder looked well, and taking into consideration the hard time the cattle be had out in the storm experienced, it reflects great credit on this gentleman’s management that out of a herd of 270 head he had not lost one. Mr. Powers erected warm and comfortable lumber sheds.

Mr. Dance proceeded to take in the town of Towner and on leaving the town he made out for Mr. Coutts Marjoribanks’ ranch and put up for the night there, being received by that gentleman with his customary hospitality. In the morning they inspected his herd, which, except for five or six, looked in excellent order. Mr. Majoribanks had about 250 head, and kept them in the timber, without sheds, but fed them all they would eat. His Polled Angus thoroughbreds looked in first rate condition and it was Mr. Marjoribanks’s pride to show off his first thoroughbred Polled Angus calf, which he had most appropriately named “Pride of Dakota” and he was a fine one.

Upon leaving the above-named gentlemen he pulled for Pendroy, a drive of some 28 miles, in the face of a blizzard and when he arrived there, he did not feel much like inspecting any more cattle that day but had business in the house. At Pendroy he was the guest of J. M. Pendroy, Chairman of the board of the McHenry Co. Commissioners. Mr. Pendroy is one of those fortunate individuals who rejoiced in having four strong grown-up sons, who relieved him from all the trouble of hired help. It was understood that the boys could be more trouble than they are worth but, in this case, for four such good, hard-working boys are a considerable stand-by.

In the morning they continued a tour of inspection and went through Mr. Pendroy’s herd. He had five Hereford bulls and he never saw any cattle that looked in such good condition as Mr. Pendroy’s Hereford cattle.

They seem far superior rustlers to the Shorthorns and keep in excellent flesh all winter. A cross between the polled Angus and these Herefords ought to be as near perfection as can be, for beef.

Mr. Pendroy had about seventy head and his brother, Andrew Pendroy, about eighty head. Both gentlemen good grade white faces and had not lost any; and stated he had never seen cattle on the Mouse that winter in better trim than the herds of the Pendroy brothers.

Close by them was Mr. Marlon Pace, who rejoiced in being the owner of some 275 head. Mr. Pace’s yearlings and calves were exceptionally fine. His cattle are nearly all Shorthorns, with the exception of a few Herefords and all looked in good trim.

This ended the tour of inspection of cattle, but before returning to Devils Lake there was entertainment by another inspection of a better kind. Mr. Pendroy had a small dance at his house that night and there was a chance to see the young ladies of that neighborhood.