Hesse, Fred G. S., 1852-1929.

Fred G.S. Hesse emigrated to the United States from England in 1873. He took part in a cattle drive from Texas to Wyoming in 1876 and worked as a foreman on the "76" ranch near Buffalo, Wyoming, until he purchased the ranch in 1886. In 1890 Hesse founded the "28" Ranch also near Buffalo, Wyoming. He initially raised cattle but switched to raising sheep in 1906.

Hesse was a main participant in the Johnson County War of 1892 and was arrested for his involvement in the raid on suspected cattle rustlers, but was never convicted.

From the description of Papers, 1880-1985. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 27426428

Fred G. S. Hesse was born in 1852 and came to the United States from England in the early 1870s. In the summer of 1876 he went to Cheyenne, Wyoming, from Texas with a herd of cattle belonging to the Frewen Brothers. Hesse settled on the 76 ranch and remained there as a foreman for the Frewen Brothers until Moreton Frewen sold his business due to the depression in the cattle industry. Hesse bought part of their stock and started his own enterprise on the 28 ranch (1890), becoming one of the most successful in the county. Both ranches were located on Crazy Woman Creek near the town of Buffalo, Wyoming.

Hesse was among the main participants in the Johnson County War. Along with the other cattlemen frustrated with the failure of the judicial system to prosecute cattle rustlers, Hesse decided to get rid of the rustlers directly. For this purpose a group of stockgrowers organized an armed raid on Buffalo. Two of the suspected cattle rustlers were murdered, after which the invaders surrendered to government troops. Hesse was arrested with the other invaders, but he was never convicted. He continued in the cattle business until 1906, when he started sheep-raising. He served on the Executive Committee of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, and as a member of the Highway Commission during 1927-1928.

Hesse died in 1929.

From the guide to the Fred G. S. Hesse Papers, 1884-1892, (University of Montana--Missoula Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections)