The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-08
The Trade In Texas Cattle.

ber OF the citizens became interested in
business OF importing this wild stock
BE- the Indian territory, direct from their
Fe pSmpas. An equally large number Of
ers on the southern border were exsen-
engaged in stock-raising.
ith the Texas cattle came that terrible
rpe called the Spanish fever, which swept
the Kansas stock rs hard frost kills |
grasshoppers in that region. These stock |
RS had emigrated into this wild part of |
ate to secure the advantages of its mild |
ate and extensive grass ranges for their |
H. in which their entire wealth is invested.
IN unfortunate hour a drove of Texas cattle
I'D pass through the country, and settler
,se cows ranged W here the drove had passed
would in a few days, in many instances,
hall his COWS. A violent contest, there
arose between these conflicting interests.
now ALKALINE BECAME A CATTLE MART.
10Th parties appealed to the Kansas State
kislature. That body enacted laws prohibit
droyers on the one hand from bringing
las cattle within ten miles OF the range o.
bied by any settler for his cattle, under
ere penalties. On the other hand for the
hvebieuce of drOvers, aud some extensive
nois cattle dealers, who were specially en-
ted in this trade, the Legislature provided
t Texas stock might be brought by Ger
b path 20 this depot, on the Union Pacific
ilwsy (Eastern DiSision), to be transported
nee III cars.
Dn a beautiful level prairie bottom of the
boky Hill river, less than two years ago,
h first house was put up which designated
location of Alkaline, a point l63 miles
est of the Missouri river. Within six
onths just passed, nearly one hundred thou
md head OF cattle have been brought here
Id shipped eastward in cars. Alkaline has,
bereiofe, become place overlooking with life
bd greenbacks. AS may be imagined, whisky
bd grey backs are also plenty. The place, tho
psipess, the people, aud the excitement
brapg up as suddenly, as greasy, and as
culisr as some of the petroleum Oil places in
ennsy lvania or West Virginia.
now THE TRADE Is CARRIED ON.
Just now Alkaline is mpsratively quiet, for
Zbe business season has drawn alm Jst to
hose. Perhaps one hundred cattle cars staud
&n the extensive side track, waiting ths
arrival of any belated herds. Cold winds,
NOW, and dead grass have suspended the
Business. AS soon as grass has started
Enough for cattle to feed on In the spring, the
HrOveIs gather their purchases together in
Northern Texas and the Iadian Territory,
bome FIVE to eight hundred miles south OF
Ibis place, and commence the journey. They
eein to arrive here about the lst OF June.
A large number Of those who bring up these
battle dispose of them at once for cash to the
Dealers here. The drovers don't take drafts.
1T must be ready money, and he puts his from
$1,000 to $40 600, the proceeds of his drove, in
his pockets, he bitches around his revolvers,
for instant self defense. He spends
d portion of his small change, perhaps, in the
Farious institutions in Alkaline, and then starts
back. Others ship their cattle to market
themselves. The packing houses at Kansas
City, Leavenworth, thicago, and st. Louis get
large share, while some are sent through to
New York. Others are taken into Illinois to
be fed or wintered before marketing. Cattle
A cars cost $50 to Kansas city, and $S5 to st.
Louis. The cars hold from fifteen TO thirty five
head each, according to size, and there is very
little standing room wasted by those who are
obliged TO pay such high prices for transpor-
iati0n. In fact, it is a mystery how they
manage to stow away so many and such
large horns in SO small a compass as q small
sattle car.
PECULIARITIEs OF TEXAS CATTLE.
One of the striking peculiarities Of the
Texas stock is What Texan calls "the right
smart spring of horns" These appendages
are long and slim, and spring from the head
In nearly opposite directions from each other.
As the forms OF many of the Texas steers are
more like moose or elk than Eastern stock,
30 their horns are sometimes more like autlers.
Though sometimes more, they generally mea-
tween the tips of their horns. The sight oI
such an armed quadruped suggests the fact
that the lance has always been one OF the
favorite weapons of those people inhabiting a
level country. With many OF the Indians on
the plains it is yet. 1t is also apparent that
length of horns is a matter OF pride among
Texas cattle. One of their most common
colors is a moose color, though every
variety of tint is found among them. TheiI
lsahtl o. yNaAn lars hn pc
occupation preGariOus. large per
centage of every drove is lost in this
way. Drovers use swift horses for their bust
ness. Several of the horses and mules ar
always kept saddled, day and night, for in
slant service. A sudden snort, and herd OF
. thousand spring as though they were bu
one animal, while the earth trembles unde
them as they dash away with all the speed
frightened animal cen attain. The cause i
invisible, or they had no cause, except in thei
own imaginations. Then those on guar
mount in hot haste and chase the franti
herd, to get ahead of them aud circle then
around. But with fleet horses they can b
gradually led to travel in circle, when the
gradually recover their sober senses, and afte
having had sufficient exercise, can be brough
back TO the starting point They are also
savage animal. 1t ID dangerous to go among
them afoot. As an illustration OF their fero
cious nature, may mention that some Of tn,
poor and weak ones frequently get down an
cannot rise. You go and help him up, an
the fl rst act of the animal, again set on hi
legs, is to make an attack on you, and perhaI
run until he falls again from exhaustion.
THE pRevERs' TROUBLES.
The Indians along the line have obtained
custom, since last year, of levying tax of
per head, or OF some cattle for beef, on IL
droves, as they cross Southern Kansas. The