25 Facts About Peter French

Peter French was born John William French in Missouri on April 30,1849.

Peter French's father began a sheep ranch which became very successful; however, as Peter French grew older, he found that the work was not exciting or challenging enough for him.

Peter French moved southward to Jacinto, California, where he met and accepted employment as a horse breaker with Dr Hugh James Glenn, a wealthy stockman and wheat baron.

Peter French was a quick learner and good worker, and in a few months he was promoted to foreman.

At some point in his employment with Glenn, French assumed the name "Peter".

Peter French ended up in southeastern Oregon to find vast grasslands amid the arid high desert.

Peter French built shelters for his herd, line cabins, and bunkhouses for his men.

Peter French's empire expanded to include the Diamond Valley, the Blitzen Valley, and the Catlow Valley.

Peter French built dams to flood areas, bought the land under the Swamp Act at the reduced price, then removed the dams to return the land to its original state.

Peter French directed his employees and others to file homestead claims that he would then purchase.

Peter French continued to manage the Oregon operation for the Glenn family, selling more cattle to help pay the family's debts.

At one point, Peter French even accompanied the US 1st Cavalry Regiment to guide the Army through the area.

Aggression over such rights and Peter French's large spread of land drew a certain loathing toward him and his operation.

Peter French was shot in the head on December 26,1897, by Edward Lee Olivier.

John William "Peter" French was buried in Red Bluff, California, next to the graves of his father and mother at the Oak Hill Cemetery.

Peter French pled not guilty and was let out on $10,000.00 bail that was furnished by seven local supporters.

Supporters of Peter French called the trial "fixed" however, the prosecution aimed for a lesser charge of Manslaughter to counter Olivier's claim of self-defense.

Peter French had quirted Olivier in public at least 5 times.

Peter French was at the gate working a cattle drive that day.

Peter French was seen swinging his hand the way one swings a whip although witnesses testified they did not actually see a whip perhaps because of the distance between them.

Olivier lowered his gun and when Peter French turned his head back to look at Olivier, Olivier raised his gun again and fired.

Olivier's defense hinged on the purported belief that he feared that when Peter French turned his head away, it was to buy time to draw a weapon and finally "fix" Olivier.

Peter French was not armed with a gun but was carrying his horse whip.

Peter French then drove directly to the Sod House Ranch.

Conflicting accounts state that Peter French returned to Harney County from Chicago by way of Omaha, Nebraska with William Hanley around the middle of December, 1897.