THE SCARCE MARTIN VALLEY STOCK COMPANY JOURNAL. 1886-1925

THE SCARCE MARTIN VALLEY STOCK COMPANY JOURNAL. 1886-1925

(South Dakota Cattle Ranching) MARTIN, J. A. (Secretary) THE MARTIN VALLEY STOCK COMPANY JOURNAL. 1886-1925. Deadwood: Privately recorded, 1886 - 1925. First edition. Folio (14" x 8 3/4"). 80 pp. The journal has been rebound with the original journal title affixed to the front cover. Very legible. Scarce and in vg cond.

A detailed 80 pg. account of the operation of the Martin Valley Stock Company with hundreds of entries. The journal begins in May 1886 thru December 1928 offering income and expenses for The Martin Valley Ranch, The Martin Valley Stock Company, The Martin Valley Range, and Buffalo Gap Farm during that time period. Listings of cattle sales, expenses for sundries, purchases of hay, income for stallion services, expenses for land purchases and improvements, tools, corn, wheat, mower/rake, purchases of properties, purchases and sales of horses along with values for each, taxes, labor costs, etc. Pages 55-57 list all property belonging to The Martin Valley Ranch and Martin Valley Range and Buffalo Gap Farm, that was to transfer to the new company, Martin Valley Stock Company.

August 15th, 1902 -

“New Company, Martin Valley Stock Co. organized succeeding to all ranches, farms, horse cattle and equipment’s of Martin’s Valley Stock Co. and Eben W. Martin in Custer County, South Dakota. All of the property of the new Company had belonged to the old Company, except the chief interest in the Buffalo Gap Farms, which had belonged to Eben W. Martin individually. Following is the property of the new Corporation and its valuation.”

“The Martin Valley Ranch embracing 920 acres in (fee simple, binds all improvements on the Jas, W. Martin and France M. ____, Free Claim 160 acres (fee to that being in E.W. Martin, C.L. Martin and France M. ___, 113 each). All fenced, 2 good dwelling houses, 2 large barns, exterior sheds, box stalls and other apartments for stock, two wells with steel wind mills, underground cement tanks share cluster house, wagon sheds, tool shed, grain elevator, four cisterns, cook shop and other out buildings – leases in 1120 acres adjoining, all fenced, also the Martin Valley Range about 5 miles square with watering facilities” $14,137.50

The ledger continues with the specifics of the “The Buffalo Gap Farm 480 acres, fee simple title, except an individual 81 acres of land only (without water privilege) belonging to G.C. Woody, ____ and T.J. Jones standing in name of G.H. Woody Trustee, all fenced, 2 dwelling houses, two barns, a stable, tool house, and general outbuildings, cellars ___ house &c. leases of 280 acres adjoining, all fenced, Beaver Creek Water Right, ____ of an individual ½ interest in the first water right on Beaver Creek, a substantial claim two miles of main ditch, private reservoir and distribution ditches and flumes.” $15,000.00

This is followed by a listing of cattle, horses, calves, etc and their value plus an in depth survey of the actual lands being sold.

Finally on August 15th, 1902 at the Stock Holder’s Meeting in Deadwood the following was written: “Present E.W. Martin and Jessie A. Martin, representing the entire capital stock of the Martin Valley Stock Co. The following officers were elected – E.W. Martin, President and Treasurer. J.A. martin, Secretary. William Mo. O’Banian – Manager.

Upon notice, the President and Secretary were authorized to issue certificates of Stock in the Corporation to persons entitled to the same, in full payment of the entire property of the Corporation real and personal. Adjourned – (signed) J.A. Martin, Secretary”

Names occurring regularly in both purchasing and selling are Eben W. Martin; Jessie Aryilla Miner Martin (Eben’s wife); Charles Landon Martin (Eben’s brother); Jas. W. Martin (Eben’s father); and George N. Miner (Eben’s father-in-law). 

Eben Martin was a U.S. Congressman. After graduating from Cornell College, and from the University of Michigan with a law degree, he was admitted to the bar and immediately headed west to 'grow up with the country.' He married Jessie A Miner, of Cedar Falls, Iowa in 1883. Eben was elected to three successive congresses from 1901 thru 1907. Ebenezer W. Martin was associated with the Martin Valley Stock Company in South Dakota. It’s interesting to note that Martin Valley Stock Co. was listed in the South Dakota State Brand Book in the Buffalo Gap area. Fine bright copy with title on front cover paper label.