We suspect we understand the whole concept that caused the range wars of the 1800s and are thankful we have laws and now consider the wars are long gone. Maybe and maybe not. I own some land that is about as old as it can possibly be, I know it came along at creation of the rest of the dirt.
I own some land that is about as old as it can possibly be, I know it came along at the creation of the rest of the dirt. It, sure enough, has a fence around it; and I, sure enough, use it. The gates are not on the north side and I seldom even see that side of the place. Our offspring usually check that place, and I am proud to let them.
I bought that place when I couldn't afford not to buy it. The need was there like a blister on your sitting spot needing a bandage. We had finally grown some and more land was what we had to have or sell back down to where we started. We had leased the place for several years and then it was suddenly for sale. And would you believe the price was dang near startling? Yes, startling to me and my close relative, and it made my favorite banker go ashen!
We suffered over the deal. The owner gave us a deadline of 24 hours because he was holding another buyer off. His deceased relative was not even in the ground, but the money was sure enticing him to move quickly. So the banker swallowed hard, shook my hand, and we took on the debt like the weight was bearable. I guess it was. We lived over it, and it is now free and clear.
We thank the good Lord for the health to make it, the determination to stay on the place and the stupidity to raise beef -- well, something like that! Didn't really mean all of that statement. We love the life we live here, and most of the beef producers in this part of the world do. Now, try to take some of it away from this old feller and see what kind of range war you can conger up!
Because of the law of the land, we have complained many times. Had to buy licenses to use chemicals, to drive my truck, to kill a deer or fish a lake. I have to pay taxes and drive below a certain speed, can't throw the old washing machine in a gully or burn off the neighbor's pasture to assist him in controlling the thistles! Not always happy with the law is a common malady, but today we are sure thankful for its assistance!
A feller came in and purchased the abutting land on the north side of the property in question and, being a very well-oiled feller, he wanted to be sure he got all he could for his dollar. Don't blame him for that but he also wanted about five feet of our place. I don't mean five square-foot of dirt; I mean five feet to the north of the fence for the length of the eighty acres! It sorta hit me in the heart.
Land War appeared in my mind. I was even wondering if he was gonna bring in sheep. But, because my close relative is a calm-natured person, we contacted an attorney and found that the grandfathered in property line is safe and it is still ours. We put our rifles away and fired the hired guns.
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, the surprise of finding yourself so hot over a piece of dirt was a shock! I did not expect myself, old kind-hearted feller that I am, to come unhinged at the idea, but I know I did. Seems as though land, the dirt we so desire, is one thing that will raise the bristles on the kindest and wisest of men. I am thankful it all worked out for the benefit of us, but I also know there was a loser in the end.
Take a look inside yourself to see how you feel about your own land. You may find a surprise there.
Bill is the pen name used by the Gravette-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 09/27/2017