Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-03-21
CATTLE LORDS" OF TEXAS.

to the Rio Grande, level and fertile belt
from thirty to sixty miles broad, was settled by
Spanish and American emigraDts, who brought
with them their native breeds Of cattle, which,
under remarkably favorable circumstances Of
climate aud pasturage, ANAL lgamated into
common stock, containing in large degree the
better points Of the constituent breeds. Up to
the struggle for Texas independence the in
crease of these herds was remarkably rapid.
In the disturbances and social dislocations
which then ensued, the western portion of this
cattle region became almost depopuated, and
the CATTLE for lack OF owners, relapsed into
state of wildness Social order was not finally
re-establishcd till after the annexation of Texas
to the United States and the treaty of peace
with Mexico in 1913. The cattle raising indus
try then revived The wild herds were either
reclaimed by their former owners or appropriat-
ed by others. Large numbers were driven to
Eastern markets, bu. enough remained to stock
immense ranches, on which class of men Of
enterprise and reso' ute charater have since or
ganized a very thrifty pastoral industry.
Du.ing the late war the Texas cattle regions
were but slightly devastated which, on the
contrary, greatly enhanced their prosper ty By
increasing the price Of Texas beef
In the coast regions of Texas are found cattle
lands whose animated treasures surpass. in mum
Der and value, even the focxs and herds of the
great men of New York. The San Cabrutus
rancho, on the Santa Cabrutus River, owned by
COL Richard King embraces S4, 132 acres ofland
stocked with $4,000 cattle 1000 horses, 1000
sheep, and 5000 goats. For the management of
these immense herds, 800 Mexican herdsmen and
1000 saddle horses are held in constant requi-
sition. Col King each year brands 1900
calves, and sells 10000 fat cattle, constantly in
vesting the surplus proceeds in stock cattle
fHHonoore opoh ty nS1as ho1n,u (soluid
on the San Antonio River, in 1862, contained
over 10000 cattle; during that year on this es
tate II, 900 calves were branded, and $50, 600
realized by the sale of cattle. This enterprise
was inaugurated ten years previously with
l,500 cattle. Rolideaux ranch, between the
Nueces and Rio Grande' rivers. owned by Mr.
Kennedy, is fertile peninsular of 1880
acres, jjuttng out into the Gulf OF Mexico the
isthmus beiug secured by thirty miles of plank
fence, guarded at intervals of three miles by
herdsmen's ranches. 1t already contains 30
stock. Other magnificent cattle herds might
be enumerated The net increase of cattle in
this region has been estimated as high as %,
per cent per annum.
Turning his animals loose to Craze at will
over a r,nge of country often fifty miles square,
covered with nutritious grasses, IN genial cll-
mate, in which shelter is unnecessary, the
Texas stock raiser confines his care to the iden
tifcation and marketing of his animals. For
the former purpose the stockmen Of the neigh
boring ranches assemble semi-annually in con-
siderable force to scour the country for the pur-
pose of branding the calves, the ownership OF
which is determined by the brand Of the cows
they follow or suck. The stock business,
which has grown from small beginnings, now
amounts to magnificent industry, the product
Hictant ms
It's conditions, both economical and productive,
have been gradually changing with the growth
Of our resources.
The extension of crop raising agricultural set
Elements in the coast regions seriously derang-
ed the conditions of cheap production Of cattle
by raising the value of land and By restricting
the range of free pasture. The stock business
was then extended northward to the central re-
gion of high, rolling praries, and even to the
plateaus Of northern Texas, localities scarcely
less coDgena to this attractive industry than
even the rich plains on the coast. They pre-,
sent large areas, tolerably well watered, and
sufficiently we'll timbered for the wants OF the
stock-raiser.
The climate is mild and salubrious, and the
prairies in their wild state are covered with exo
cellent grasses, and already feed large herds OF
cattle bearing the brands of different owners
Immense quantities of beef are annually lost,
Ike the waste wood of the forest, for lack OF
means of preserving it. Hides rot on the
oronnd for lack of tanneries, and because OF
the difficulty or want Of transportation to mar
ket. while imported leather is scarce and dear.
Stock raisers found in this region with
herds rivaling those of the coast. ;,
Mr.. John Hitson has So, 600 acres OF land
and as many cattle Mr.. John Chlsholmf owns
10000 head; G. W. Slaughter, 20, 600; Lacy
Coleman, 1900; and Mr.. Morton Chiders,
10000. A large number OF smaller herds are
renorted in these regions, showing a rapid
growth in the cattle industry, and capacity
for still greater expansion. ~
The number of cattle in Texas 10 1870, was
100000 beef cattle, $50, 320 COWS, and = a4o',
Zoo calves. There are annually raised and
branded about 75O, 900 calves The great points
of the cattle trade are Abilene. Newton, Cot
teevile, Chetopa and Baxter Springs, 10
Kansas
A FORTUNATE WIDow.-Lord Romily.. the
British Master of the Rolls, has recently given
judgement in a singular suit ln 1861, Mr.
Gilehrist, wealthy resident OF Calcutta, 10
duced the widow of merchant named farqu-
har to marry him by persuasive argument
contained in these words addressed to her:
'lIf Won decline DR.. Evans and marry me VIII
undertake TO maintain and educate your chud-
rem. j will settle on you 9lO, 0OO tor PIN mon-
ey and | will make will leaving you bali my J,
fortune, and that will shall not be altered; s Z
The DR.. Evans referred to had proposed r!, 1ol
her at the time this offer was made Mr. .tan u,,'
christ, despite his apparent attachment, aoan, u
doned bis wife after the, first nine weeks .,
their married life. They lived together aa agalaa
after an interval of two years, but soon eeo
to separates she accepting an annn,ts oi sgI life
during their joint lives and - 'oVtIbl ..' lied
after bis death, In 1865 Mr: uho,,,.a, amount;ns
to 500, ,OO0 to his only daughter by former 1,
marriage. His widow, having sued tor nala ;aa
that amount in accordance with the promise
quoted, Lord Romily decided that she was en- en-,
titled to it. and awarded the remainder OF 'he
estate to the daughter.