Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1872-12-14
The Texas Cattle Trade.

the great Cattle-hive Of North
America. More than half o CEN
tury ago, under the inducements
offered by the Spanish Colonial au-
thorities in Mexico, the coast re.
eion from tho Sabine to tho Rio
Grande, level and fertile belt
from 80 to 60 miles broad, was
settled by Spanish and American
immigrants, who brought with
them their native breeds Of cattle,
which, under remarkably favorable
circumstances and pasturage, anal
gamated into q common stock,
com bining in large degree the bet
ter points ofthe constituent breeds.
Up to the struggle for Texan in
dependence the increase OF these
herds was remarkably rapid. In
the disturbances and local disloca-
tons which then ensued, the wes-
tern portion of this cattle region
became almost depopulated, and
the cattle, for lack of owners, re-
labsed into state of wildness. So
cial order was not finally re.estab-
lished till after the annexation OF
Texas to the United States and the
treaty of peace with Mexico, in
ls4s. The cattle raising Industry
then revived. The wild herds were
either claimed by their former
owners or appropriated by others.
Large numbers were driven to east.
ern markets, but enough remained
to stock immense ranches, on
which q class of men Of enterprise
and resolute character have since
organized a athrifty pastural indus
try. an ...--
In the coast regions of Texas are
found cattle lords whose animated
treasures surpass, in number and
| value, even the focks and the herds
of the great man of Uz. We take
the following from the last report
of the Agricultural Department at
Washington:
"The Santa Calmtas Rancho, on
the Santa Calmtas River, owned
by Colonel Richard King, embra-
ces S4,132 acres Of land, stocked
with $4,000 cattle, 10000 horses,
1000 sheep and 5000 goats. For
the management of these immense
herds, 800 Mexican herdsmen and
l 900 saddle horses are held in con-
slant requisition. Colonel King,
each year brands 10000 calves,
and sells 10000 fat cattle, con-
stantly investing the surplus pro-
ceeds in stock cattle. O'Conners
Ranch, twenty miles below Coli.
ad. on the San Antonio River, in
1862, contained over 10000 cattle
during that year on his estimate
10000 calves were branded, and
$50, 900 realized by the sale of cat
tie. This enterprise was inaugu
rated ten years previously, with
1900 cattle. The Rolideaux Ranch
, between the Nueces and Rio Grandt
Rivers, owned by Mr.. Kennedy, ii
, a fertile peninsula of 142, $40 acre!
jutting out into the Gulf of Mexico
the isthmus being secured by
, thirty miles of plank fence, guard
ed at intervals of three miles b,
, berds-men's ranches. 1t alaeady
{ contains 10000 beef cattle, beside
large numbers of other stock"
The report says: "Stock raiser
are found ip this region with herd
0 rivaling those of the coast. Eigh
4 teen years ago Mr.. John Hilsol
was toiling amid the timber o
: Rbea county, Tennessee, to clear
, little land for corn and wheat. Dis
I gusted with the prospects ofspend
: ing lifetime in merely winning
foothold for future labor, he sol
his land, and with 60 cows and
) brood mares emigrated to what !
i now Palo Pinto county, on tn
e Brazos River. He now owns so
600 acres of land and as many cal
: tie; Mr.. John Chisholm, owns 80
e 600 head Mr.. G. w. Slaughter
: 10000; Coggins 4 Parks, 10000
, Lacy & Coleman, IL, 600; Mr.. Nal
> tin Childers, 10000.
!, A large number of small but sti
: very considerable herds, the pr
e duct of a few years of intelliger
Il enterprise, are reported in the:
+ regions, showing a rapid growt
! in the cattle industry, and cap
= city for still greater expansion. y
Across the Continent, PhAadslphi