Synopsis of the laws relating to the restrictions imposed upon the herding of Texas cattle in Kansas, which have been enacted from time to time for the protection of native animals. (See Diagram giving "Dead Lines.")
Chapter 82 of the laws of 1861 prohibited any one from driving Texas cattle into the State limits, between the first days of April and November in each year, the entire State being in quarantine.
Chapter 152, session laws of 1867, permitted Texas cattle to be driven into that portion of the State west of the sixth principal meridian and south of township eighteen. The law further provided that no one should drive Texas cattle within five miles of any highway or ranch, without the consent of the settler or owner of such ranch.
Chapter 195 of the laws of 1872 changed the boundary lines of the quarantine for Texas cattle as follows: Commencing where the range line between ranges one and two west intersects the south boundary of the State; thence north on said range line to the north line of Sumner county; thence east on said county line to the sixth principal meridian; thence north on said meridian to the Arkansas river; thence up said river to the fifth standard parallel; thence west on said parallel to the southwest corner of Osborne county; thence north on county lines to the northwest corner of Smith county; thence west to the northwest corner of the State; thence south to the southwest corner of the State; thence east to the place of beginning. The law also provided that cattle should not be driven upon the claim or premises owned and occupied by any settler, without his consent in writing, and any person driving said cattle onto said quarantine grounds, was liable for any damage inflicted by the communication of disease.
Chapter 139 of the laws of 1873 permitted Texas cattle to be driven into Chetopa, near the south line of Labette county, Chetopa being a shipping point on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad.
Chapter 133, laws of 1876 made the quarantine lines as follows: Commencing at the southwest corner of Sumner county; thence north to the township line between town twenty-seven and twenty-eight, Sedgwick county; thence west on said line to the west line of Kiowa county; thence north on the west boundary lines of the counties of Kiowa, Edwards, Pawnee, Rush, Ellis and Rooks, to where said line intersects the south line of the county of Phillips; from thence west along the south line of the counties of Phillips and Norton to the southeast corner of the county of Decatur; thence north on the east line of the county of Decatur to the north line of the State; thence west along the north line of the State to the northwest corner of said State; thence south along the west line of the State to the southwest corner of the State; thence east to the place of beginning. The usual provision was inserted, making it necessary for the stock driver to get written permission to drive over any owner or settler's ground.
Chapter 183, laws of 1877, changed the boundary as follows: Commencing at the southwest corner of Comanche county; thence north on the west line of Comanche county to the southwest corner of Edwards county; thence north on the west line of Edwards county to the southeast corner of Hodgeman county; thence west on the south line of Hodgeman county to where the range line between ranges twenty-two and twenty-three intersects the same; thence north on said range line to the south line of Ness county; thence west on the south line of said county to the southwest corner thereof; thence north on the west line of Ness county to the northwest corner thereof; thence east on the north line of said county to the northeast corner thereof; thence north on the west boundary line of Ellis county to the south line of Rooks county; thence west on the south line of Rooks and Graham counties to the southwest corner of Graham county; thence north along the west line of Graham county to the southeast corner of Decatur county; thence west on the south line of Decatur county to the southwest corner of said Decatur county; thence north on the west line of Decatur county to the north line of the State of Kansas; thence west on the north line of the State to the northwest corner of the State; thence south on the west line of the State to the southwest corner of the State; thence east on the south line of the State to the place of beginning. The usual clause was inserted, that drivers must have in writing the permission of settlers to drive over their land.
