f the Little Missouri
River Stockmen's Association, held in Medora on December 19,
1884, is now in the possession of Mr. Joseph A. Ferris, of
Terry, Montana.)

We the undersigned, Theodore Roosevelt, party of the first part, and
William Merrifield and Sylvane Ferris, parties of the second part, do
agree and contract as follows:

1. The party of the first part, Theodore Roosevelt, agrees and
contracts with the parties of the second part, William Merrifield and
Sylvanus Ferris, to put in on their ranch on the Little Missouri
River, Dakota, four hundred head of cattle or thereabouts, the cost
not to exceed twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) and the parties of the
second part do agree to take charge of said cattle for the party of
the first part; said cattle to be thus placed and taken charge of for
the term of seven years.

2. At the end of said seven years the equivalent in value of said four
hundred head of cattle, as originally put in, is to be returned to the
party of the first part; provided that the parties of the second part
are to have the privilege of paying off at any time or times prior to
the expiration of said seven years, in sums of not less than one
thousand dollars at any one time, said claim of the party of the first
part to the equivalent in value of the original herd of cattle.

3. Any additional cattle put into the herd by said party of the first
part are to be put in on the same terms as the original herd, and are
to remain in the herd for as much of the seven years mentioned in this
contract as is unexpired at the time they are put in.

4. One half of the increase of value of said herd is to belong to the
party of the first part and one-half to the parties of the second
part.

5. The parties of the second part are to have the power from time to
time to make such sales as they in the exercise of their best judgment
shall deem wisest, provided that no sale shall be made sufficient in
amount to decrease the herd below its original value except by the
consent of all parties in writing.

6. All monies obtained by such sales of cattle from the herd shall be
divided equally between said party of the first part and said parties
of the second part.

7. During the continuance of said contract the parties of the second
part agree not to take charge of nor have interest in any other stock
than that of said party of the first part without his consent in
writing.

8. Said parties of the