Lifetime Leaders of Rodeo & Ranching Rodeo Ranching Great Westerner Western Entertaiment & Arts Rodeo Producers & Livestock Special Achievement Cowboy Long Rider Legacy Award

Ranching

Edward S. Hall
2005 Ranching Inductee - Pre 1940

Born in 1857, Ed left home at the age of 12 to work on a bull train which carried freight from St. Cloud, MN to Fort Buford in Dakota Territoy. In 1872 Ed was recruited at Fort Abercrombie where he was hired on as a teamster.

After that, he worked all over Dakota Territory as a water wagon teamster and a dispatch carrier between forts. Ed joined a surveying party for the Northern Pacific Railroad that prospected a right of way into Montana, traveling as far as Pompey's Pillar.

After his return to Fort Lincoln, Ed was assigned to the Northern Boundary Commission to fix the boundary lines between the U.S. and Canada. He then contracted with Canadian Mounted Police and the Northern Boundary Commission to deliver beef from Winnipeg to Cypress Hills, a job requiring someone who could maintain grass fed and prime beef. Ed was in charge of 1000 head of cattle, 20 riders, 90 horses, a cook wagon, a water wagon and 5 carts of supplies from July through October.

His return to Fort Lincoln in 1876 coincided with General Custer's departure with the Seventh Cavalry. Ed left with Captain Bentten headed for Rosebud, MT, and was with him when the Sioux attaced Benteen and Reno. When Ed returned to Fort Lincoln, he was sent to help bring in Chief Josep and his band.

Almost 7 years later, Ed opened a fur trading post 15 miles up from Sanish. By 1886 Ed also started the first horse ranch in that part of Dakota Territoy, four miles up the White Earch River and north of the fur trading post. A year later, Ed brough 400 mares from MN and IL to Fargo and then trailed them to his horse ranch. Many 4th of July celebrations, horse races and rodeos were held on both Ed's ranch and trading post.

Ed and his family lived in Elbowoods from 1898-1905 where he worked as a boss farmm, helping the Indians run their cattle and horses. He was known for his history with the Indians, and he testified on many important cases dealing with Indian treaties. Ed was the first white settler in Mountrail County.

Ed died in July 1935.