Old West Group

Circle Bar M, the Claridge estate, owned by Jon Claridge, Esq..
Jon lives in one of the best ranches in the High Plains with over a 1,000 acres of good grazing land...

The Circle Bar M was once own by Tom and Anne Marlow... Anne was the younger niece of Markus Blaine… murdered by unknown assailants.

In early July 1870, while John and 4 other Deputies were out of town investigating a ranch burning, a young man with a Navy Colt 44 on his hip rode hard toward a meeting place, as he entered the gulch, where the others were waiting, then all together the 12 men rode down toward the ranch, all hooded with yellow sashes wrapped around the waists, several men had torches, regardless that the sun still up...

Two men ride to the barn and tossed torches into it, as the others opened the corral and let out the horses, herding them toward the south... one man gets down and heads for the bunkhouse, checking inside, then tossing the torch inside, setting it ablaze...

Four men came from the main house firing their rifles and shotguns at the hooded men, killing 2 of them and wounding 3 more, the young hooded man turned drew his gun and killed two of the men, the other hooded men began firing at the other men.

As shots crossed the open area, a woman and her daughter came thru the door of the main house – both dropped where they stood.

The hooded men rallied together and rode off... the 4 men suspected to be ranch hands, the woman and her daughter lay dead, the bunkhouse and barn were ablaze as the men rode off with about 35 head of horses belonging to the Circle Bar M...

Six months later, the Circle Bar M came up for auction due to late fees and mortgage forfeit.

Markus was not in the territory; and though financially able, but being absent, he was unable to pay the late fees and the bank would close on the mortgage... but one man could afford the fees and that was Jon Claridge… Markus had lost his niece's hard earned livelihood to a known criminal.

Now Jon Claridge lives in one of the best ranches in the High Plains with over a 1,000 acres of good grazing land... for mere pocket change for him.



The Baranov Ranch, owned and operated by Alexander and Elizabeth Baranov, is 10 miles north-west of Sherman off the Fort Laramie road with the southern property boundary starting at Horse Creek, This 6,573± acre spread runs 1500 head of cattle and 150 head of horse stretching from the Absaroka Mountain Range, butted by lush forests and dappled by pristine lakes pitched equally between Fort Laramie, Laramie and Sherman.


The Fortuna Ranch[/b]
- Est. 1865 -



fortis Fortuna adiuvat



Reg. Brand




Cattle
- 1500 head -

Horses
- Endurance and Speed -

Owners
- Alexander and Elizabeth Baranov -

About

Fortuna is 6,573± acre spread cradled by the Absaroka Mountain Range, butted by lush forests and dappled by pristine lakes with the South-Eastern most property marker 10 miles North-West of Sherman. The main house is equally distanced from Fort Laramie and Laramie being a hard day’s ride from either, and half a day’s drive into Sherman. The Ranch boasts numerous outposts for different tasks during the seasons with the main house surrounded by the coral, barn/stables, and bunk houses for the ranch hands. Wagon tracks mark the road to the main house from Horse Creek.


Cattle

Red and Black Angus
Imported from Scotland, Angus cattle are highly prized for the quality of meat they can deliver. The Baranov’s Proudly have two Bull's and 10 Cows, 5 of each color.

Hereford
Imported from England, Hereford cattle grow up quickly and have a high conversion ratio. This makes them a cost-effective breed to raise in the region. Short and stout, Hereford cattle deliver a valuable meat product to market that is full of flavor and guaranteed to satiate even the most finicky of tastes. Hereford’s comprise the majority of the Baranov's herd.

Holstein
By and large, American's depend on Holstein Friesian cattle to deliver milk products throughout the country. Holsteins are an integral part of Wyoming agriculture, and you will find plenty of places to raise a herd. Originally bred by Dutch settlers, the breed has spread throughout the country.


Horses

Andalusian
Alexander Baranov was gifted with the families first Andalusian stallion and since they have sought out the breed to enhance their herd stock and offer a superior and capable working horse. Having found the breed superior due its prowess as a war horse and for its' athleticism and stamina.

Arabian
One of the oldest breeds dating back 4,000 years. Arabian horses have spread around the world through both war and trade and are used to improve other breeds by adding speed, refinement, endurance, and strong bone. Elizabeth's father had imported dozens from the Arabian Peninsula to build his stock of premier racing horses in England. Now the Baranov's have inherited the stable and are expanding the reach of the highly adaptable breed.

Stock
The Great Plains offer a multitude of now wild horse. From the hardy and petite mustang, referred negatively as the Indian pony and remnants from those Spanish conquistadors with their distinctly Aztec and Sorraia bloodlines the confirmation and hardiness of range Horses when properly culled can only add to any base stock.


Staff

Baranov Brood

Alcinia – 21, Teacher
Els – 16, Trainer
Alex– 14
Eddie – 11

The Russo's
Pericinia “Percy”
Jacabo “Jake” – 37, Valet/Butler
Perdo “Peter” – 21, Coachman/Escort
Maria – 20, Ladies Maid
Marino “Ringo” – 20, Barn Manager
Thomas “Tom” – 19, Feed Manager
Vitti – 18, Lead Wrangler
Thomosina “Mina” – 17 House Maid
Paulino “Paul” – 12, Runner
Coletta “Collet” – 12, Runner

The Hanz
Malcolm – 50/60 Pilot/Engineer
Petra - 45/55
Agatha
Maria
Anne
Frederick
Alexander

House Governess
Simone – 30/35


The Miller property is situated 6 miles southeast of Sherman, it resides on the banks of Hamilton’s Creek, one of the many streams that fill Sherman Lake. A good thirty-minute ride will see you at the front fences of Hamilton’s Creek Ranch, formerly owned by the Miller Family from whom Isabella purchased the land and existing ranch house.

The original holding was some 1,500 acres, with an additional 500 acres added in the sale. Isabella has also leased near 6,000 acres of Government land that adjoins her own property. She is retaining the name of the ranch.

The homestead:
The Millers were one of the first families to settle in the region after the Mexican withdrawal in 1848. Arriving in 1850 with nothing but what they could carry and fifty head of cattle. They purchased the Hamilton Creek allotment from a Government lottery, paying a meagre 50c per acre at the time. From 1850 to 1872 when they sold the land to Isabella, they had built up a very healthy ranch/farm, with both sheep and cattle. Retiring, most of their stock sold off to other locals, except 50 head of sheep that remained with the sale.

Restored in the last year, the cottage built in 1863, stands a testament to the endurance of the older pioneers.



Also known as the Brooks Ranch, was built from the ground up with Jacob's own two hands. Since obtaining the property under the Homestead Act in 1868, he's proven up with the 160 acre ranch with livestock such as cattle, sheep and a few horses, all with the Brooks brand, dotting the landscape, as well as some crops in fertile ground.



Named such due to it's location up in the high meadows of Sherman Pass, butting up against the Sherman Mountain range.
The ranch is fed by the river that runs through the pass and the melt water run off streams.
The cattle and horse ranch is nearly 950 acres of meadow land and mountain timber.



Elevation 8,640 ft (2,630 m); a mountain pass about 7.5 miles (12.1 km) north-northwest of Sherman. While not a particularly rugged mountain crossing, it holds special significance as the highest point along the entire length of transcontinental railroad.


Fort Lumas is an insignificant, but fortified army post. Three companies of cavalry from the 4th US Cavalry and five cannon crews from the Artillery battery of the 3rd Illinois Infantry are at the fort, and stay busy with Indians and Rustlers. Their primary units are at Fort Laramie; leaving the local law to the Deputy Marshal in Sherman.