Free Republic

Helen and Wayne were both 'Points of Light' (Randy Travis song; "There is a time, when you cannot walk away, When you've got to stand up straight and tall and mean the words you say; There is a time you must do it 'cause it's right; That's when you become a Point of Light"). The entire world is blessed for them having been here, if only for a short few years. It was my blessing to have been counted among their friends. With reddened eyes and a huge lump in my throat, I want to believe it's not true, that somehow it's a mistake, that I could drive out to Pine Creek Ranch and find them still there. God, how You blessed us by sharing these two with us!

Where once two peerless patriots lived, we mourn, but Heaven rejoices, for these are two of God's most special children, together again, never to be parted. "Once upon a time, the world was sweeter than we knew; everything was ours, how happy we were then..." - from the song Once Upon A Time, words by Lee Adams; music by Charles Strouse. Helen was a dear, dear friend, as was Wayne. The torches they carried are now carried on by those of us still here. We will not let them down!

Sorry, but the date of this article is December 22, 2006. When I saw it this past December, I was shocked to see how ill Wayne looked. I thought for a moment that maybe the photograph's color was bad, but then I looked at Helen in the photo, and she looked just fine, other than totally focused on Wayne. This was the photo that told me that Wayne was very ill.

Here are the media stories, so far:

Wayne Hage, Nevada rancher and sagebrush rebel, dies



(Note: Wayne Hage, one of the greatest property rights fighters in America's history, is in Heaven.)



June 6, 2006


By Sandra Chereb schereb@ap.org

The Associated Press


Reno, Nevada - Wayne Hage, who battled the federal government for decades over public lands and private property rights and came to epitomize Nevada's Sagebrush Rebellion, died Monday.

Hage had been ill and died in his sleep at his Pine Creek Ranch near Tonopah, his family said. He was 69.

"He actually successfully beat cancer a number of years ago," said Bob St. Louis, and longtime friend and fellow rancher. "In the past couple weeks, it came back in really aggressive form."

A memorial service is planned for noon Saturday at the Hage ranch in Monitor Valley, and he will be buried at the Pine Creek Ranch cemetery.

"He was ready to go home," his daughter, Ramona Morrison, said in a telephone interview from the ranch. "He was able to see his saddle horses out the window. That's what he wanted."

A widower, Hage married former Republican U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth of Idaho in 1999. The couple was introduced by another daughter, Margaret Byfield, who heads Stewards of the Range, an educational group based in Boise, Idaho, that works on property-rights issues nationwide.

Hage had battled the government since the Forest Service started scaling back the number of cattle allowed to graze on national forest land in the early 1980s.

He sued in 1991, claiming the Forest Service repeatedly harassed him for more than a decade after he rejected the agency's offer to buy his ranch for half of what he paid for it. All but 7,000 acres of the 759,000-acre ranch were Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management property on which Hage held grazing allotments.

A longtime state's rights activist and author of "Storm Over Rangelands," Hage filed a claim seeking $28 million in damages after Forest Service officials confiscated more than 100 of his cattle and suspended his grazing permits on parts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, saying overgrazing was causing ecological damage on the high-desert range.

In 2002, U.S. Claims Court Judge Loren Smith ruled in Washington D.C., that Hage had a right to let his cattle use the water and forage on at least some of the federal land where he held a federal grazing permit north of Tonopah, in central Nevada.

Hage said the water rights came with the Pine Creek ranch when he bought it for about $2 million in 1978 and those rights carry with them the right to the associated forage.

After that ruling, Hage wrote, "The potential ramifications of this decision are enormous; thousands of ranchers now have good hope for redress against harassment and abuse by federal agencies."

Two years later, during another court hearing on whether the government's action amounted to an illegal taking -- thereby requiring compensation. Hage said, "If you don't have the water rights, you don't have a ranch."

Born December 21, 1936, in Elko, Hage grew up ranching. He persuaded his parents to let him drop out of high school to help other ranchers who were struggling during the harsh winter of 1952.

After that, he was not to be corralled.

"The big cattle outfits would put out a roundup wagon and they'd just stay out on the range for maybe 10 months of the year," he wrote in the May 2002 edition of The New American. "For a teenage boy, that kind of life -- riding horseback on the open range -- was an adventure that made school pretty dull and uninteresting by comparison, so I just stayed with it."

C.J. Hadley, editor of Range Magazine, said Hage was a "bulldog" who "had the guts to go up against the federal government."

"No more stronger, more tenacious rancher I've ever seen," said Hadley, who visited Hage about two weeks ago at a Reno hospital.

He told her, "All I want to do is go to my ranch, look out my window and see my horses and cattle."

Chuck Cushman, director of the American Land Rights Association in Battle Ground, Washington, said Tuesday that he didn't know if his property rights organization would even exist if not for Hage.

"Few people have made more of a difference in the history of the West than Wayne Hage," Cushman said. "His effort to protect the rights of ranchers and other private property owners paved the way for many to save their future and the future of ranching in the West."

Janine Hansen, a longtime conservative Nevadan running for secretary of state as a candidate of the Independent American Party, said Hage's "willingness to battle gave all of us courage."

"We can thank the Lord for his courage in opposing the heavy hand of government tyranny," she said.

Hage is survived by his wife, Helen Chenoweth-Hage; daughters Ramona Morrison of Reno; Margaret Byfield of Taylor, Texas; Ruthe Agee of Elko and Laura Perkins of Boise, Idaho; son Wayne Hage Jr., of Pine Creek Ranch; and 10 grandchildren.

His first wife, Jean, died in 1996.


Copyright 2006, Las Vegas Sun.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2006/jun/06/060610085.html

Two earlier versions:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2006/jun/06/060610061.html

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2006/jun/06/060610049.html



Helen Chenoweth's husband, sagebrush rebel Wayne Hage, dies


June 6, 2006


By Sandra Chereb schereb@ap.org

The Associated Press


Reno, Nevada - Wayne Hage, who battled the federal government for decades over public lands and private property rights and came to epitomize Nevada's Sagebrush Rebellion, has died.

Friends say Hage had been ill with cancer and died Monday at his Pine Creek Ranch near Tonopah. He was 69.

A memorial service is planned Saturday at the Hage ranch in Monitor Valley.

A widower, Hage married former U.S. Representative Helen Chenoweth, an Idaho Republican, in 1999.

A longtime state's rights activist and author of "Storm Over Rangelands," Hage filed a federal claim in 1991 seeking $28 million in damages after Forest Service officials confiscated his cattle and suspended his grazing permits on parts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

In 2002, a U.S. Claims Court judge ruled that Hage had a right to let his cattle use the water and forage on at least some of the federal land where he held a grazing permit.


Copyright KTBV.com.

http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jun0606-wayne_hage_dies.5e32b0c3.html



Cattle Activist Dies




(Note: Wayne was sixty-nine years old, but accomplished more for the freedom and property rights of America during those years than almost anyone. No matter what the media says, he did a great deal to educate people on the fact that "public lands" are extinct. They are, in fact, federal lands -- and are often off-limits/closed to the public.)



June 6, 2006


By Sandra Chereb schereb@ap.org

The Associated Press

Wayne Hage, the Nevada man known for his battles with the federal government, and who came to epitomize the state's "sagebrush rebellion," has died.

Hage had battled the government since the Forest Service started scaling back the number of cattle allowed to graze on national forest land, in the early 1980s.

In 2002, U.S. Claims Court Judge Loren Smith ruled that Hage had a right to let his cattle use the water, and forage on at least some of the federal land, where he had formerly held a federal grazing permit, north of Tonopah.

Hage died yesterday of cancer.

Friends say he was in his sixties.


Copyright 2006, KOLOtv.com.

http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/2940941.html



Wayne Hage, Nevada rancher and sagebrush rebel, dies



(Note: Wayne was sixty-nine years old, but accomplished more for the freedom and property rights of America during those years than almost anyone. No matter what the media says, he did a great deal to educate people on the fact that "public lands" are extinct. They are, in fact, federal lands -- and are often off-limits/closed to the public.)



June 6, 2006



By Sandra Chereb schereb@ap.org

The Associated Press

Las Vegas Sun

Las Vegas, Nevada

http://www.lasvegassun.com

To submit a Letter to the Editor: letters@lasvegassun.com



Reno, Nevada - Wayne Hage, who battled the federal government for decades over public lands and private property rights, has died.

Hage, who came to epitomize Nevada's Sagebrush Rebellion, had been ill and died Monday at his Pine Creek Ranch near Tonopah, friends said. He was in his 60s.

"He actually successfully beat cancer a number of years ago," said Bob St. Louis, and longtime friend and fellow rancher. "In the past couple weeks, it came back in really aggressive form."

A memorial service is planned Saturday at the Hage ranch in Monitor Valley.

Hage, who married former Republican U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth of Idaho in 1999, had battled the government since the Forest Service started scaling back the number of cattle allowed to graze on national forest land in the early 1980s.

In 2002, U.S. Claims Court Judge Loren Smith ruled in Washington D.C., that Hage had a right to let his cattle use the water and forage on at least some of the federal land where he formerly held a federal grazing permit north of Tonopah, in central Nevada.

A longtime state's rights activist and author of "Storm Over Rangelands," Hage filed a claim seeking $28 million in damages in 1991 after Forest Service officials suspended his grazing permits on parts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, saying overgrazing was causing ecological damage on the high-desert range.

Hage said the water rights came with the Pine Creek ranch when he bought it for about $2 million in 1978 and those rights carry with them the right to the associated forage.

"If you don't have the water rights, you don't have a ranch," he said during a 2004 court hearing.



Copyright 2006, Las Vegas Sun.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2006/jun/06/060610029.html







Rancher, sagebrush rebel Wayne Hage dies



(Note: Wayne was explicit -- and right -- when he said there are no "public lands," only federal lands.)



June 6, 2006



By Sandra Chereb schereb@ap.org

The Associated Press

The Reno Gazette-Journal

Reno, Nevada

http://www.rgj.com

To submit a Letter to the Editor: letters@rgj.com



Reno, Nevada - Wayne Hage, who battled the federal government for decades over public lands and private property rights, has died.

Hage, who came to epitomize Nevada's Sagebrush Rebellion, had been ill and died Monday at his Pine Creek Ranch near Tonopah, friends said. He was 69.

AP-WS-06-06-06 1227EDT



Copyright 2006, The Reno GazetteJournal.

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060606/NEWS18/606060368&oaso=news.rgj.com/breakingnews

Wayne Hage: CORRECTION on Hage family address P.O. Box



June 6, 2006



The address I gave out to send cards and condolences to the Hage family was wrong; my abject apologies.



The Correct Address is:



Pine Creek Ranch



P.O. Box 513



Tonopah, NV 89049



To send flowers, call Gunter's Funeral Home in Hawthorne, Nevada - Phone # 775-945-2047



Sorry for the error; I'm sure that the Tonopah Post Office will see that the Hage mail gets to them.



Subject: Wayne Hage



June 6, 2006



from Stewards of the Range

June 6, 2006

Dear Members,

Yesterday afternoon, we lost a great hero, a great father, and a great patriot. Wayne Hage passed away at home on Pine Creek Ranch.

On behalf of the Wayne Hage family, I want to be certain you know how much he appreciated your years of support for his fight. He was honored to be surrounded by such good Americans, and to fight side by side with you for the right to own private property.

We invite you to join us this Saturday, June 10th, at Pine Creek Ranch in Monitor Valley, Nevada, for a service celebrating the life of this great man. The service will begin at noon in the meadows of Pine Creek, his final resting place on Earth.

Dad left this world in peace. He was proud of his family whom he loved and cherished, was honored to have been involved in some of the most important challenges of our time, and was humbled by the generosity and goodness of the people around him He knew the battle would continue, but was satisfied that his work here was complete. He was ready for the next phase of his life.

Dad told us as children that life on earth is like Boot Camp. It is our training ground where we learn hard lessons, our character is molded, and we are prepared for the afterlife. He often ignored birthday's because to him they were not the moment of life that should be marked. Moving on to Heaven was the day that should be celebrated.

It is in this sprit that the family prepares to say goodbye to Dad. Whether you knew him personally or through his work, we hope you feel welcome to join us in remembering one of the greatest men to have walked this earth, that we were blessed to know and love.

Warm regards,



Margaret Hage Byfield
Executive Director

P.S. - Cards can be sent to the Stewards office at P.O. Box 490, Meridian, Idaho 83680. Some of you have asked where contributions can be sent in memory of Dad. Those contributions made to Stewards on his behalf will be applied to the litigation expense of the Hage v. United States case. As always, we appreciate everything you have done for our family.

P.S.S. - A map to the ranch is available by calling Stewards at 1-800-700-5922.

MrCruncher, thank you for posting the gems that help folks see why Wayne Hage is irreplaceable and why he is so missed and so loved by all who cherish resource providers (ranchers, farmers, miners, loggers, fishermen, etc.), property rights and freedom.

Wayne's book, Storm Over Rangelands:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0939571153/qid=1149563421/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-3282711-6472013?s=books&v=glance&n=283155


My review of Storm Over Rangelands:

This book cannot be praised too highly. Wayne Hage, gone to glory today, understood property rights as do few others. The book is the main course for those seeking the answers to all the questions about split estate, adjudicated rights, water rights, and so much more. It is a book that should become worn with use, for it is an indispensable reference and resource. It's not only a keeper, it's also the perfect gift for others that need to know more about property rights and fighting successfully for them. Again, it would get a 6-star rating if that were an option! No, I won't loan my copy!

Cards may be sent to Pine Creek Ranch, P.O. Box 115, Tonopah, NV 89049

Your feelings mirror my own: peace that Wayne is no longer suffering, sadness for Helen.

This was received tonight and is important to be shared:

WAYNE HAGE

Stewards of the Range

June 5, 2006

Dear Members,

I am sorry to deliver this news to you, but early this afternoon, my good friend and the great man we all admired and supported, Wayne Hage, passed away peacefully at his home on Pine Creek Ranch.

A few weeks ago, Margaret showed him the many letters and notes all of you had sent to him, and he was overwhelmed at the warm thoughts and prayers that were within these. They gave him great comfort in his final days. The family wanted to make sure you knew how much these were appreciated by him.

Funeral arrangements are being made by the family now and we will let you know when the service will occur.

God Bless Wayne Hage.

Sincerely,

Frank T. Duran
President


To all who cherish liberty, we have lost a great man.

It was my great pleasure to have worked with Wayne for many years, primarily on grazing and property rights issues.

His mind was top notch, usually many steps ahead of all those around him. Not only was he brilliant, he also had the courage of his convictions. The many transgressions against him and his family by Federal officials never once resulted in a step backwards or an inclination to relinquish his rights.

Wayne was also an educator. He did not seek to keep his knowledge to himself, but chose to share it with all who had similar interests.

Many who do not even realize it owe a great debt to Wayne Hage. He has cleared a path for all owners of property, all grazing permittees and all proponents of limited government. That path was cleared with moral courage, legal finesse and a gentleman's demeanor.

Lord how I wish he had lived to see the fruition of his property claims in court.

I will never forget him, or the many things he taught me, or his constant fight for liberty.

Frank DuBois flankcinch@hotmail.com

posted by The Westerner @ 5:58 PM

http://thewesterner.blogspot.com/2006/06/wayne-hage-stewards-of-range-june-5.html#comments

The high country of central Nevada has lost the earthly presence of its best friend and champion. It is my hope that everyone reading this will take a moment to reflect on the greatness of spirit unmatched, the courage and the will that made a home in the most rural of places, and the faith in God that guided Wayne to leave his beloved home and travel extensively to help others fight for their property rights. Digger may now get to come in the house, but he, too, will know that the mighty physical presence has gone, though the almost tangible spirit lives on at seven thousand feet. May the pines spread the word of his passing to the cattle he raised. May Table Mountain and the Toiyabe keep his private side private as the seasons change and the years pass. May his grandchildren know the ranch he loved and choose to fight for it as his children have. May his two special wives know peace as they knew his love -- quiet and strong and always there, encircling them. Dick Carver, his friend and fellow property rights warrior, has welcomed him Home!

Please help and please -- don't stop praying. There but for the grace of God is me and you and those we love. Whether we know someone or not, in those places shattered by Katrina and the failed levees, we are still our brother's keeper. We must keep these folks, who are still in harm's way, close in our prayers. If we are able to help materially or financially or through volunteer efforts, let's do that, too. Thank you in advance, one and all!

Ah, yes, it truly IS an Election Year, where presstitutes will say and promise ANYTHING in order to get votes. Methinks that most members of both 'major political parties'have sold their souls to globalism -- EXCEPT U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado!

You trust correctly; several years' worth of Range Magazine reside in my office (reference/resource tools). I trust you visit www.PropertyRightsResearch.org regularly?

Question of the Day: Is Bob Abbey related to Edward Abbey? If anyone out there in FReeper land knows for sure.

Wayne Hage is one strong fellow -- and Helen is one-of-a-kind, meant in the most respectful and admiring way -- what they need from each of us is our keeping the fires lit under the agency contacts in the Nevada LiveStock Association's Press Release (main post). Today, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and so on, until the BLM, Forest Service and DOI malcontents pack up their marbles and GO HOME.

Thank you, B4Ranch!

LOL, I love your quote about the food chain!!! Glad you're safe and going to have your baby in a safe place with power on! I am in Ohio and posted for someone in Cape Coral whose home was not damaged, but who is surrounded by much damage.

Yes, you are right on the money with your observations. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, however, has had access to the islands, "to check on the 'endangered species'". What's wrong with this picture, folks? While homeowners are unable to even get back home to check on their homes, pets and get insurance claims started, a federal agency is making sure all the gators are okay.

Sorry, I'm in Ohio, was just posting an article written by a friend who is in Florida.

More on property rights issues that impact ranchers, recreationists -- every last mother's son of us.

Prairie Dog comments:

http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/2004/articles6/my_official_public_comments_rega.htm

ESA Victim Testimony for the House Resources Committee:

http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/2004/articles8/esa_and_its_real_victims.htm

http://www.klamathbucketbrigade.org/HRC_TestimonyofSmithson080204.htm

http://www.teamamericapac.org/ta-nw-040804-julie.shtml

A short poem:

http://www.ndland.org/news/sus1102.htm

This is my report from the trip to the Klamath Basin in August 2001:

http://www.klamathbasincrisis.org/articlesafter1103/rdslesstravldjulie070904.htm

Here's an older article on the ESA that was printed by The Asheville Tribune (North Carolina):

http://www.citizenreviewonline.org/may_2002/the_many_facets_of_the_esa.htm

http://www.prinsco.com/newstory.cfm?ID=172

http://www.klamathbucketbrigade.org/many_facets_of_the_esa.htm

http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/many_facets_of_the_endangered_sp.htm

Lots of good articles here:

http://www.crowley-offroad.com/environmental_issues.htm

Another on the ESA:

http://www.serve.com/Lincolnheritage2/Articles/The_Address__Article_Search/Address_Articles_since_1997/Address__1997___Environment/Trusting_the_EPA__/trusting_the_epa__.html

From 2001, a report about the Range Fighters Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada:

http://www.paragonfoundation.org/range_fighters_conference.htm

Hi, Jack and All

I work with folks that live in/near the Steens Mountain wilderness of Oregon -- another part of America that GangGreed seeks to steal all the natural resources for itself and erase responsible resource providers, recreationists, property rights and Freedom from the land.

Please see these parts of my website:

http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/recfrms.htm

http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/articlesfrms.htm

http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/guest_map.htm

http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/guestbook1.htm

For your property rights true stories, folks:

http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/message_forum.htm

And my posting to Sheila and everyone:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1193642/posts?page=91#91

Sheila,

Knowing of folks like you, Jay Walley, and others who've had stress-related strokes/heart troubles (and never forgetting those that have died as a Direct Result of these agency/NGO 'schoolyard bullies on steroids' actions), I keep smiling and working hard -- but taking breaks, too, and eating healthy and enjoying this here wunnerful Blue Heeler pooch -- and striving to not let stress get me, while still fighting for your property rights on the New River near Hinton, West Virginia ... and Wayne's rights, and Jesse Hardy's rights in Florida ... and hundreds/thousands more.

Folks, please, make those phone calls/send those faxes/emails and let as many others know as possible. This is a magnificent time to be an American, because we have all the communications technology to shine the Flashlight of Truth on the Cockroaches of GangGreed and GangGreen.

Let's try to each find at least one new person to share baby bites of Truth with, each day! My website has much that can be printed and shared, and it's all there especially for this purpose: We are taking our property rights and our freedom back from these dastardly deceitful devils!

God bless us and keep us strong, cheerful and focused on making a difference for our neighbors, no matter where they may live! From Jumping Branch to Naomi Street to Pine Creek and from the "A" Canal Headgates to the Jarbidge Road to the Farm Fields and Homes in the Darby, we are MAKING A DIFFERENCE!