Ranger Jones Makes The Cattle Baron Analysis

Leader reported that “Ranger” Jones and his men were attacked at his ranch on July 30 on the Platte River, near Casper, Wyoming. The Indians had driven Jones and his men into a make shift dugout for two days and on August 1, Jones and his men made their way to John Iliff’s ranch which was about forty miles farther up the Platte River, were they were able to get rest, fresh horses and needed supplies before heading back. What is so ironic about the meeting of these to is that such a large and powerful cattle baron such as Iliff in the next sixteen years would have great conflict with ranchers such as Jones. Unknown assailants assassinated Ranger” Jones and fellow ranger John Tisdale, fifteen years later under accusations of rustling, just four months prior to the Johnson County invasion. It leads to early speculation why a cattle baron of Illiff’s stature and prestige allowed Jones to take refuge in his home if he there was speculation of cattle rustling over thievery of any sort. Even though Iliff would not live to see the invasion of Johnson County, the satire of his crossing paths with “Ranger” Jones makes the Cattle Baron story much more intriguing.
John Clay, who later took over as manager the Swan Land and Cattle Company, in his autobiography, indicates his dislike for Alexander H. Swan a successful cattle baron in the 1880’ in Wyoming. There several incidents where he interfered in such a way he was able to bring doubt to Swan’s ability to manage his range and therefore cause for a chain reaction causing his ultimate demise. There seems to be a tinge of jealousy with John Clay’s demeanor against Swan. It seems Clay did not care for an American managing a Scottish owned business and therefore needed to find a way to make that go