New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-08-24
CrBoIo VALLEY, Bexar Co., Texas,

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CrBoLo VALLEY, Bexar Co., Texas
July 20, 1858.
ats o'clock, massa, is you gwine to get up,
were the words which saluted my ears this morning
as laid on my bed in that halfdreamy, halEwaking
state peculiar to the suggard who has something
importan on his mind which requires earlier rising
than usual. "Ah Nelson, is that you-don't say-5
o'clock well, I spose l must turn out" and by
taking the sudden flow Of determination at its flood
| was quickly on the floor. The cold water bath
Turkish towel rubbing, and ct ceteraS of the toilet
were soon got through with and I stepped forth to
breathe the fresh air and to make further preparations
for my journey.
Breakfast was the first consideration that being
swallowed my horse, three year old halEbreed was
the next. He was a stranger to me his natural wild.
ness had been subdued by process which is called
breaking to the rope. This process consists of lasso
ing; by which means the horse is caught, choked
almost to suH0cation, and thrown on his side. Two
ropes usually necessary for this for the neck
and one for the feet. While in this PROSTATE posi-
ton, with head pressed to the ground and feet tied
up, series of nooses are made around the nose and
neck with the lasso or lariat as it is often called
These nooses slip SO that any strain on the lariat
tightens it around tile throat and nostrls. This is
called b0rCeatA.
1t gives the herder entire control of the head and
no matter how great the strength of the animal may
be- one man can hold him. On the completion of
this the herder winds the extreme end of the arat
around his hips and the horse is allowed to get up.
He then rears, kicks and punges but all to no pur
posehe is held fast, After considerable exercise in
this way he ceases to struggle for liberty being ap-
parenty convinced that it is useless. Sometimes the
herder mounts another horse and travels several miles
with the fractions animal in tow When fully sub
dued it is said that he is broken to the rope, Thus
without any knowledge of the bit, without being
gated, he is pressed into saddle SERVICE
Such was the case with the horse selected to bear
me on my tour With considerable anxiety watched
his shy pranks while undergoing the process of br
ding saddling, etc. but, observing only timidity in
his behavior and nothing vicious, the anxiety gave
place to confidence and, like Alexander the Great
blayely mounted my Beaucephalus and bounded
away accompanied by Old Nelson who was to
conduct me a short cut across the prairie into the
road.
How he go, massa,p was the question Of my
guide as he overlook me after ten minutes gallon
" Oh very well.' eyes, | see he do take care
dough he don't trough you off; yous mighty good
rideri puts nae in mind Of my young massa dat was
killed in the las war" meaning the war Of 1872. |
g." Ah Nelson, you fatter me-" " Nc, massa true as
Gods word hope to die dis berry mint if faint So
This was a clincher; could say no more and dur
ing the rest OF our companionship, smilingy sub.
mitted to bis cautions and batteries nterarded with
illusions to past events of considerable interest-for
be it understood, Old Nelson z has seen much Of
the world and the things therein. According to his
own story, lbs is over hundred years OF age He
was born on the eastern shore Of Maryland-yed in
Washington, where he was the cOachmau Of dis. !
tlnguished family till ISL when he became the ser
want Of naval Oticer-Went to sea-saw some fight
ing duling the war with Great Britain-was after.
wards employed in a navy yard, where he learned
something of ship building and rigging
His subsequent changes were many, and they en- |
abled him to become acquainted with a large mum.
Der of distinguished men, many of whom he served |
Ten years ago he was purchased by his present |
owner, who takes excellent care Of him ana allows
him to do pretty much as he pleases.
To one who appreciates the fading incidents Of past
times, this loquacious old negro could not be other
wise than interesting as well as amusing. I found |
him so, and very sorry to part with him on reach
ing the road, which we did in about one hour after
starting
ride of six miles on this road brings me within
sight Of the Ciboo Valley. The view from the |
prairie bluff is, indeed beautiful The valley is COM
parativeIy level, and stretches away towards the
north, south and east far as the eye can See On
the western edge and almost under the shade Of the
bluH is fine plantation, which, with tn mansion OF
the proprietor the neat looking white houses of the
negroes the large corn fields and the pastures dotted
with horned cattle, horses, etc, presents scene
worthy Of the labor Of the artist
!" Who does this place belong to 2 was my inquiry
OF negro whomI met after my descent into the
valley. Taking off his hat, he respectfully replied
" Colonel Mcclellan, sar. All! indeed ! is he at
10 ne " Yes, sar, Ihelieyes he is Thank you,
boy You is berry welcome, sar.H I bowed and
passed on, hoping that should find the master as
hospitabe as bis servant was polite. In this was
not disappointed for in every respect my hopes were
realized. The Colonel is fine looking Tennesseean,
is over six feet in height and has face which bears
the impress Of manly character, was stranger to
him yet, nevertheless he received me with genuine
" Old Dominion hospitality, which was really re-
freshiug.
The Colonel has been resident Of Texas twenty
years, during which time he has been engaged prin.
cipa!ly in stockrasing His stock now consists Of
four thousand head of horned cattle and five hundred
head of horses. In my conversation with him this
morning, gathered much valuable information reIa-
tive to horse raising i'll Texas, which shall impart
q you in my next,
oNAcEoY