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1888 Rules of Diamond Bar Ranch
General
Rules of The Diamond Bar Ranch, January 1888
DIAMOND
BAR RANCH, previously owned by the notorious gun fighter, Tap
Duncan, who rode with Kid Curry, Grand Canyon West Ranch
incorporates incredible history from the Mormon trail, legendry
Cowboy poetry and Indian rituals, making the Diamond Bar Ranch, the
oldest in the county. Below is the actual text from the original
"Rules of the Ranch" written by Ranch Manager Abner Taylor in the
winter of 1888.
Rule No. 1: Whenever a person is
engaged to work on the Ranch, the person so engaging him will fill
out and sign a blank giving the name of the party employed, for what
work, the amount of wages he is to receive, the date he will begin
work, and deliver the same to the person employed, who must sign the
counterpart of such contract.
Rule No.
2:
Employees discharged from or leaving the service of the company are
expected to leave the ranch at once and will not be permitted to
remain more than one night in camp.
Rule No.
3:
Private horses of employees must not be kept at any of the camps,
nor will they be allowed to be fed grain belonging to the company.
No employee will be permitted to keep more than two private horses
on the ranch.
Rule No.
4: No employees shall be
permitted to own any cattle or stock horses on the ranch.
Rule No.
5:
The abuse of horses, mules or cattle by any employee will not be
tolerated and anyone who strikes his animal over the head, or spurs
it in the shoulder shall be dismissed from company service.
Rule No.
6:
No employee or contractor is permitted to carry on or about his
person or saddle bag any pistol, dirk, dagger, sling shot or bowie
knife for the purpose of offense or defense. Guests will also comply
with this rule.
Rule No.
7:
In case of fire it shall be the duty of every employee to go to it
at once and use best endeavors to extinguish it, neglect to do so
will be cause for dismissal.
Rule No.
8:
Employees are strictly forbidden the use of vinous malt sprits or
excessive intoxication during their time of service with the
company.
Rule No.
9:
Loafers, “sweaters” Men who sweated as a result of their great
efforts to avoid work, deadbeats, tramps, gamblers or disreputable
persons, must not be entertained at any camp, nor will employees be
permitted to give, loan or sell such persons any grain or provisions
of any kind, nor shall such persons be permitted to remain on the
company’s land anywhere under any pretext whatever.
Rule No.
10:
Any person not in the employment of the company shall not be
permitted to hunt or kill game of any kind inside the ranch
enclosure. All employees to ensure this rule is enforced.
Rule No.
11:
Employees of the company will not be allowed to hunt or kill game
except when necessary for food.
Rule No.
12:
It is the aim of the owners of this ranch to conduct business of
right and justice to everyone, and for it to be excelled by no other
in the good behavior, sterling honesty and integrity and general
high character of its employees and to this end is necessary that
all the foregoing rules be adhered to and violation will be just
cause for discharge.
Rule No.
13:
Every camp will be furnished a printed copy of these rules, which
must be nailed in a conspicuous place in the camp. Each rule is
hereby made and considered a condition and part of employment. Any
employee that tear down or destroy such printed rules shall be
discharged.
By order of the company,
Abner Taylor,
Manager
January, 1888
Louis
L'Amour spent time as a ranch hand here in the shadow of Spirit
Mountain. |
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1888 Rules of Diamond Bar Ranch
