Concerned ranchers and farmers in the Maud area are thinking about forming a posse in an effort to curb recent cattle thieves which have been plaguing the area, the Producer learned today.

Some 25 ranchers and farmers met at the civic center in Maud Monday and discussed the posse idea, however, no definite decision was reached, Jerry Pack, a Maud rancher and feed store owner, told a newsman when contacted by The Producer this morning.

Pack, who attended the meeting, said the ranchers seemed to be split in half and half on the posse idea. When asked if the posse would carry guns, Pack replied, “Well we don’t know about that. The sheriff will have to be contacted. We don’t want to get anybody in trouble.”

The Producer has learned through contacts in Maud that the posse idea is a strong one among area ranchers and farmers. Numerous ranchers are wanting to start night patrols in the Maud area in an attempt to catch cattle thieves. In the past month four of five ranchers in the Maud area have had cattle stolen, Pack said. Apparently, all of the stolen cattle have been from the Pottawatomie County area of Maud.

“We don’t have any cattle thieves reported in Seminole County from that area,” Seminole County Sheriff Bill Merryfield said.

The Sheriff did say, however, that a barn located a mile east and four miles south of Maud was burned down last week by arsonists. “We’re still investigating the barn burning and have some strong leads,” Sheriff Merryfield said.

A saddle stolen from the barn before it was burned was located last week by Maud police in a dump ground near Maud.

Pack said one of the major items discussed at the meeting was the posse idea. “We’re going to talk to the Pottawatomie sheriff about it,” he noted.

Pack said that no law enforcement officers were present for the Monday meeting. “I don’t know who called or set up the meeting,” Pack added. “It just came up.

“We will probably have to have another meeting and if we do then the paper will be invited.” Pack said that the group had not elected officials or representatives to talk with the sheriff.

“We’ll just probably talk to him when we see him,” Pack said.

When asked if the ranchers talked about any other means of curbing the cattle thieves besides the posse, Pack replied, “We talked about printing something in the paper, but did not decide on anything.”

-oOo Ida Cavender on the sick list says she’s not a spring chicken anymore but she can still crow and scratch but her “scratchin” in pretty weak right now… Jesse Earles running an errand for a sick friend… Pamela Jean Hackler, age 5, reporting that the fishing is good and she caught two nice ones.

-oOo School Daze - There will be a Student Council talent Show on April 24, 1973, Tuesday. Tryouts for the Senior Division, grades ninth through twelfth will be on Wednesday, April 6. All students are encouraged to enter.

~ Senior announcements will be given out at 8:15 Thursday morning. Measurements for caps and gowns will also be taken at this time. Be on time. Make checks for announcements to Balfor Company.

~ John Randolph was named by both Tulsa and Oklahoma City Newspapers to Oklahoma’s Honorable Mention Basketball Team.

~ School Daze Slants – Glenda Plumlee having another one to add… Martha Pound wondering where someone was…Delores Lucas not wanting to hear something… Kent Smith wondering what subjects to take… Jenny King and Nancy Hammons looking like sisters… Ruth Ann Presley having a sunburn… Vicki Stewart getting a phone call… Steve Wells falling down… Brenda Neese being happy… Terry Mauk having a new job… Janis Chappell watching a bus go by.

-oOo Other Editors Say… By Ed Liveremore Rep. Don Kilpatrick, D-Okiecity, has introduced a bill in the legislature prohibiting utility companies from providing service to the customer’s property. The utility could only bring energy to the property line, then the property owner must scurry about to find a plumber or an electrician to finish getting service to the side of the house, etc.

The bill deserves the heave-ho. Quick. In addition to making it more expensive to build a home, apartment complex, etc., it will work a hardship on the public.

This is the storm season of the year in Oklahoma. No doubt we will have instances in the state where utility lines into a house are knocked down by wind. In the past you’ve seen the utility people out, day or night, restoring service. If they are stopped at the property line when the storm hits, who restores the line between the light pole and your house? You’re right…an electrician.

What happens if a truck drives over private property and caves in a natural gas line? At present, you call the gas company and they’re out there with a crew pronto. Day or night, the responsibility is theirs and the corporation commission sees that they render this service.

Have you ever tried to find an electrician after 5 p.m.? Or a plumber on a weekend?

Is there any doubt in your mind about the need to kill this bill of Kilpatrick’s?

(Sapulpa Herald)