Cattle Ranching Journal - Martin Valley Stock Company, 1886 - 1925

MARTIN, J. A. [SECRETARY]

Publication: Privately recorded, 1886 - 1925, Deadwood

First edition. Folio [14" x 8 3/4"]. 80 pp. A detailed account of the operation of the Martin Valley Stock Company. Several hundred inked entries. Journal begins in May 1886 thru December 1928 offering income and expenses for The Martin Valley Ranch, The Martin Valley Stock Company, The Martin Valley Range, and Buffalo Gap Ranch during that time period. Listing of cattle sales, expenses for sundries, purchases of hay, income for stallion services, expenses for land purchases and improvements, tools, corn, wheat, mover/rake, purchases of properties, purchases and sales of horses along with values for each, taxes, labor costs, etc. Pages 55-57 list all property belonging to The Martin Valley Ranch and Martin Valley Range, Buffalo Gap, that was to transfer to the new company, Martin Valley Stock Company as of August 15, 1902. "A Stock Holders' Meeting was held in Deadwood on August 15, 1902, in which E.W. Martin and Jessie A. Martin, representing the entire capital stock of the Martin Valley Stock Co. Officers were elected ... E.W. Martin - President and Treasurer, J.A. Martin - Secretary; William M. O’Banian (?) - Manager. Upon motion, the President and Secretary were authorized to issue certificates of stock in the corporation to persons entitled to the same, in full payment of the entire property of the corporation, real and personal. Signed J.A. Martin, Secretary." Names occurring regularly in both purchasing and selling are Eben W. Martin; Jessie Arvilla Miner Martin (Eben’s wife); Charles Landon Martin (Eben’s brother); Jas. W. Martin (Eben’s father); George N. Miner (Eben’s father-in-law). Eben Martin was a U.S. Congressman. After graduating from Cornell College, and from the University of Michigan with a law degree, he was admitted to the bar and immediately headed west to 'grow up with the country.' He married Jessie A Miner, of Cedar Falls, Iowa in 1883. Eben was elected to three successive congresses from 1901 thru 1907. Ebenezer W. Martin was associated with the Martin Valley Stock Company in South Dakota. The company operated from 1886 to 1925 and had a detailed account of its stock company operations. It’s interesting to note that Martin Valley Stock Co. was listed in the South Dakota State Brand Book in the Buffalo Gap area. Fine bright copy with title on front cover paper label.

Inventory Number: 52679