Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-08-03
TEXAS CATTLE.
Their introduction into TenneS-
see and Virginia Markets.

present comparatively youthful and I'M
crowded condition, we have but little
present need Of much forethought on
the subject, but in the older portions of
our country, 1t has already become one
Of paramount Importance, and philoso-
pliers, financiers and statesmen have
discussed it in sll It's bearings. There
has been lately started Ia our midst an
enterprise connected with this question,
which We believe IL destined to play 8
great part in the development and
growth of our city, ss 1t will bring to US
an entirely new branch OF trade, and
make Memphis play great role In the
feeding of the great cities OF the East
and North, and make 1t, IN fact, vast
central market for the cattle trade Of
Texas.
In times ante 6elilun the markets of
Baltimore, New York and other Eastern
cities were very largely supplied from
the magnificent grazing and stock raising
regions Of East Tennessee and the famed
Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The
war came, and that splendid country was
stripped Of cattle, IS of other branch
es OF Its material wealth, and
Is now almost entirely depleted OF
stock of all kinds. The financial eondi-
ton Of the people has not enabled them
to do rs much as might be desired to re-
cuperate their exhausted resources. In
dustry and determined energy, however,
directed to the cultivation Of the soiI-the
source of all wealth-and the prospect OF
abundant crops, have this year rendered
their condition better than it has been
at any time since the war. They need
work animals, and the surplus of corn
they have produced this year cannot be-
more probably used than by being fed
the coming winter to stock, commanding
at sll times in the Eastern markets good
prices.
Texas, as every one knows, besides
being great grAin-growing State, il
possessed OF immense herds of cattle,
which roam over her boundless prairies,
Increasing with almost incredible rapid
ity. For these cattle there is no sale in
the interior. Annually, commencing
ABOUT the first of April, the stock. raisers
drive the cattle, of four years old and
upwards, either through Arkansas and
Kansas TO the Missouri river, or to
points on the Gulf Of Mexico and the
Mississippi and Red rivers. 1t is estima-
ted that l50, 900 cattle have been driven
10 Kansas and other parts Of the North
west, and there sold, since the first
Of January last, and that during the
same period about $1,000 head have
found market at Hog Point (uear the
mouth of Red river and New Orleans.
The latter have been bought by the deal
ers In Illinois, Indiana and Ohio-Illi-
nois being the main purchaser.
These cattle are pastured and fat
tened on her broad prsi-
ries, and for the most part are shipped to
the markets of Baltimore, New York
and other Eastern cities, though not
few are sold for consumption in Chicago.
The West and Northwest cannot, as has
been amply demonstrated this year, sup
ply an adequate market, and there are
consequently at this time great numbers
OF cattle at New Orleans and other points,
for which no sale can be had. The stock
rsisers of Texas and the cattle-brokers of
New Orleans are therefore anxious TO
open up other markets for the rauidlv
increasing supply OF cattle; and 1t is pre-
cisely this that may be made to iuure tn
the benefit Of the people living in the
dine grazing regions of North Alabama,
East Tennessee and Virginia. LIST US
look for moment at the stocks and pro-
duction of these cattle, and their cost de
livered in East Tennessee or Virginia.
From the best information to be OBJ
tanned, the number of cattle in Texas is
estimated at 5000, 900 head, and the an
nusl increase at l ,000, 900 calves. Stock
raisers estimate the loss on the increase
to be about rs per cent. by death from
disease and casualties, leaving q nett
production Of 10000 yearly. About
$50, 900 cattle are annually exported from
Texas. These estimates are considered
low by those best informed. After being
driven from the Interior of Texas, a Jour
ney OF from twenty to twenty-five DAYS,
they are OF course in poor condition. AT
present they are worth in New Orleans
from $40 TO so per head, according TO
size. Cattle Of the largest size, costing
in New Orleans say twenty dollars, and
capable of being fed so as to weigh 1900
pounds gross, the beef they afford being
of the finest and tenderest quality, and
they being besides very serviceable "a
yoke animals,) can be shipped by boat n
Memphis, thence by the MemDhis ana
Charleston Railway and CONNECTIONS 70
Bristol or Salem, on the Virginia and
Tennessee Railroad, costing there abon,
thirty dollars head. 1t is needIass for
US to say anything to our readers OF the
grazing lands Of East Tennessee and the
famed Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
accessible from Bristol or Salem nv
good turnpike road, or OF the facilities
that country possesses If rapid and easv
transit TO the Virginia and Eastern mar.
kets, where these cattle will ALWAYS com.
mand profitable sale. From the point
of debarkation from the cars, the cattle
can be leisurOly driven up the valley
each day improving their condition and
finding them nearer q good market. IT
is very confidently believed that finn
and the Investment OF q little capjtaI ara
alone needed to develope q larger and
more profitable trade along the diract
and continuous line of railroad from,
Memphis to New York than is now done
by the Northwest with its longer. more
circuitous End costly communication
with Eastern cities.
Our firm conviction is, that !, this
project be carried out, Memphis will
soon become the very center of the Tex-
as cattle trade, for the Northern. East.
ern and the Atlantic seaboard Southern
cities. Oar friend, Charles 6. SAWYER
ESQ, of the Memphis and Charleston
road, Is now engaged In perfectinx the
arrangements for 6 trial OF the exneri-
ment, and it is to be hoped that he NAV
find 8 jealous co-operation from ali
parties in this highly important enter
prise. We would respectfully request
our Texas contemporaries and exchanges
TO bring this matter before their readers
in proper light, for by 50 doing they
will materially aid and assist ma nv
making cur efforts known to the stocE-
raisers themselves.
L. nln,- n - q, -,