A Business Proposal

Roosevelt, Sewall, and Dow

Quick Facts

Location:

Elkhorn Ranch Trail

Before his return to Dakota. After the death of his wife and mother, Roosevelt began making plans for his ranching operations. He decided that if his cattle at the Maltese Cross Ranch wintered well, he would purchase more cattle and establish another ranch along the banks of the Little Missouri River. He planned to ask Bill Sewall and Will Mont Dow his hunting guides for Maine to manage the operations at his second ranch. 

In March, Roosevelt wrote Sewall, “I hope my Western venture turns out well. If it does, and I feel sure you will do well for yourself by coming out with me. I shall take you in. Will Dow out next August. Of course. It depends upon how the cattle have gotten through the winter. The weather has been very hard and I'm afraid they have suffered somewhat if the loss has been very heavy. I will have to wait a year longer before going into it on a more extended scale. So as of yet, the plan is doubtful.” 

The men from Maine travel to New York to meet with Roosevelt about the ranching business proposal. Neither of the men had any ranching experience. However, Roosevelt guaranteed them a share of the increase in stock, and if the endeavor turned out to be a losing one, he would pay them wages. 

When Roosevelt returned to his ranch in 1884, he learned that his cattle had wintered well, so he decided to put in a thousand more cattle and make it his regular business.