Publisher’s Note: The following article, published in the May 11, 1900 edition of The News Messenger updates amounts paid by the county for wolf scalps that year. A portion of this article will be featured in the new book: “The Sesquicentennial: Cultivating 150 Years of History in Marshall and Lyon County.” Books can be ordered for $44.95 by calling The Independent or filling out the form included in an advertisement in today’s paper.

(May 11) — The wolf hunters and farmers have made a good stake out of the county this spring. The county auditor has issued warrants for wolf bounties amounting to $2,953 from March 1st, up to last Saturday. From the first of January $7 is paid for the scalp of grown wolves, and $5 the balance of the year, while $3 a head is paid for cubs. Of this bounty for the extermination of wolves the state reimburses the county for two-thirds the amount paid, but the reimbursement is not received till August 1st.

April was a big month, with $2,487 paid out. Instead of the wolf bounty encouraging the extermination of the wolves, it seems to encourage the propagation of the animals, and as a matter of fact the old wolves are seldom killed, especially the females, but are left to breed again by most of the crafty hunters. The present wolf bounty was authorized at the last session of the legislature, and by resolution of the county commissioners a year ago. At the last meeting of the commissioners the matter was again considered, and a vote taking resulting 3 to 2 in favor of continuing the bounty.

Last year only about $1,800 was paid in bounties, but this year will double that amount. There has been an unusual number of old wolves killed so far this spring, the returns for March and April showing 88 old wolves and 779 cubs. A number of hunters have made a good thing out of the bounty this spring, as shown by the following list of warrants issued. The largest amount paid at once was to Charlie Adler, $88, for wolf scalps. The reimbursements from the state will not be available until fall.