Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-11-13

THE CATTLE TRADE.

lhe Kansas City correspondent of the
Missouri Democrat says: The cattle trade
IN Kansas City IS now in its glory. About
ioo cars, or 5000 head are now received
here each day, and the rush will continue
Til the close OF the season. Nearly all OF
these come over the Kansas and Pacific
railroad, and it is no small job for the
general superintendent, Colonel Z. S
Bowen. to keep up all the movement.
Large numbers of these cattle come from,
Ellsworth, 223 miles west of this city, and
about seventy miles west of Abilene, the
former the great headquarters of the Tex.
as cattle trade. The rapid settlement of
the country has driven The trade to that
comparatively remote point, and even be-
yond. fer 4 considerable number are sent
ii from Brukcr Hill. Fossil, Hays, and
Ellis, the latter station 500 miles west Of
Kansas City The whole number of cat
tie received here since June lst. over the
Kansas Pacific railway, is about 10000
up TO the 23d Of October. In addition
there have been received by the Missouri
River, Fort Scott and Gulf road, 1900
by the Leavenworth, Lawrence d Calves
ton road, $4,000; and by the Missouri Pa
cifc (mainly from Atchinson. Topeka and
Santa Fc road). 2l000; making the en-.
tire receipts here, from June lst. to Oct
sd, over 10000. The number yet to
come in, is variously estimated. most fig
nres putting it ut 50,000, making sea
sons receipts of 3oo0o0 head and some
estimates going beyond. At present thf
cattle are coming in mostl, on the Kan.
Sas l'aciie. a. fast rs three railroads cal,
carry them away Packing has only BE-
gun her.. about 1000 head having hce;.
slaughtered up to date. What the season
is likely 10 amount 70 have heard no re-
liable estimate. Last year the pack here
was 10000 head, and it will probably b.
as large this year. possibly larger. The
dimensions to which the cattle business
has grown in five Or six years time-it
only began, | beleve, in lS66-would be
wonderful in any other country.
This year witnesses the first shipment
OF cattle eastward from Denver and other
points OF Colorado. | cut Il paragraph
from The Denver News of the 23d Of Oc-
tober in regard to this new feature os
the trade. In an earlier part of the sea
son several herds, amounting to 5000 or
1000 head in all. were driven slowly across
the plains eastward to Ellsworth, and sent
by rail from there. 1t is said here that the
Colorado cattle are the best ever brought
to this city, and average in value nearly
Il cent pound above the Texan. 1t is a
long haul, being nearly GAO miles, but by
occasional rests the cattle are brought Ia
this point in good condition. These Col
orado shipments were new tax on the
resources OF the Kansas Pacific railroad,
but Colonel Bowen and bis able assistant
superintendents have been equal to the
occasion; AT a time, too, when the west
ward bound freight is very heavy. that 70
New Mexico and Colorado being at least
twenty five per cent. in advance of the
business at this time last year, and the
miscellaneous freight eastward from the
mountains also Increasing by shipments
OF ores.
In truth, the general development of bu-
sness in this city, and in the far off lands
Of the plains aud mountains, is tar beyond
any idea that any good old fogy of ST.
comes out and studies ii. In regard to
the flour shipments from Denver TO Bos-
ton for which wrote you from Denver.
on the 22d), learn here that II through
rate has been made OF 81 90 per barrel.
but how long this will continue OF course
no one can say. Freiehs will be regu-
lar to Kansas City, but as to eastern roads
(judging by the articles see in st. Louis
papers about alterations in freight sched-
ules), no prediction can be made. 1t is a
noticeable feature in the policy OF the Kan
sas Pacific 10 keep its rates as steady aS
possible. If circumstances require q
change, it is generally in the shape of
concession, and when made, the new rate
is adhered 10 as long as possible. Hence
we find but few complaints and general
popularity.