Making a go of it was difficult enough without the constant harassment from the grazers. Unattended cattle overran crops and the cattlemen weren't much inclined to keep them on the proper grazing land. Some homesteaders suspected the cattle were hazed in their direction to discourage them enough to get them to quit and move out. That would free the land for a takeover. Requests for payment for damage drew sneers and laughter. All together this created an explosive situation.
