PBA Galleries

Includes 1 autograph letter to Thomas Sturgis (3 pp.); 4 typed letters to H.B. Ijams (5 pages in all); and 1 letter to Grace Raymond Hebard (1 page). All signed by Clay.

Interesting letters written by the Scottish-born cattleman who came to Wyoming in the late 1870's, managed many cattle ranches, became a U.S. citizen and owned ranches in Wyoming and other areas. He established a chain of stockman's banks and the John Clay Livestock Commission Company. As an author, John Clay is most noted for his book, My Life on the Range, which was published in 1924. Thomas Sturgis and H.B. Ijams, to whom five of the letters are written, were each serving as Secretary of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association at the time of writing. Grace Raymond Hebard was a noted historian and author.

The long letter to Thomas Sturgis is perhaps the most interesting, concerning the introduction of Texas cattle into Wyoming and other northern areas, "Since I saw you talked over the matter of a Texas Trail I have given considerable thought to the subject. I find it is very generally the opinion among stockmen in the north west that we should endeavor to stop the further introduction of Texas cattle into Wyoming, not because we are afraid of disease, but in the hope that it will strengthen & improve the values of our native cattle. This I think is a short sighted policy, & will do eventually a great deal of harm. It savors too much of protection & will be condemned by the outside public as tyrannical & unwise... We are not called upon to provide a trail, nor is it out mission to oppose it. If the Texas men can get a trail thro' Kansas & Colorado... we should be glad to receive them..."