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Autograph letter signed by W. L. (or W.D.?) Smith. In ink, 5 pages, in rectos of 5 sheets of Inter Ocean Hotel, Miles City, Montana, letterhead, the sheets held together with grommets.

Long and fascinating letter about one George Axelby "who has several chums that has been Stealing horses from the indians for some time, and his last raid on horses he Stole some horses of a Stock man by name of Eavins. There was a warrant swore out for his arrest, and as it had been reported Hughes & Simpson ranches were harboring this parties, the members of the Assn. up here thought it best for to go with the Sheriff's forces to investigate the matter. We went down into that country & found that the HS ranch and I ranches had been allowing this Axelby to stop at there ranches..." Smith then writes about going to a bar where Axelby was supposed to be, but no one would identify him, and he managed to evade capture. Smith is indignant, "Now if members of the Assn. are going to allow such work as this to go on, and the foremans of there outfits will aid and feed horse thieves, they might as well call in there inspectors for it will be impossible for them to catch up with the thieves... I have several cases up here for cow stealing. One foreman of one of the largest cattle cos. of this country is under 1500.00 bail for stealing cattle and there will be several more before long..." He closes on a more optimistic note, "Weather so far is fine, cattle are fat..." The letter is docketed in pencil on the back of the last sheet, "Had we better send a copy to Jno. N. Simpson of Hughes & Simpson," apparently either to caution them about their crooked "foremans" or to warn them of upcoming inspections.