The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-05-09
/ MISCELLANY.
A MODEL TEXAS FARM.

Captain Kings Rancho of Santa Ger
trttes-Over 10000 Acres of Graz.
ing Land, with Little Additions of
20 Leagues.
IFrom the Missouri Democrat
The main rancho, Santa Gertrudes, is
situated ON high hill between the Santa
Gertrudes and San Fernando creeks. A
tower or lookout, erected on the top of a
large brick warehouse. commands an ex-
tended view, the eye taking in at one
glance scope of country for twenty miles
around. The sight is delightful, combin-
ing the pleasant with the picturesque. On
this hill the Captain has erected large and
cOmmodious dwelling, with the necessary
outhouses. He has also stable built for
the use of his rancho, capable of aecommo-
dating from fifty to sixty head of animals
at time. The houses for his vaqueros are
constructed with view to comfort and
durability, at respectful distance from
the main house. A neat and substantial
picket fence encloses several acres of Ber-
muda grass around his dwelling its ap-
pearance in spring resembling a well-cul-
tivated park, interspersed here and there
with beautiful shade trees. Several i'm
melase brick cisterns furnish an abundance
of water for the residents of the rancho,
while the stock is supplied from the tanks
and the adjacent creeks.
The Captain has endeavored to SO ar
range his matters as to render himself en-
tirely independent of the annoyances con-
nected with the successful operation Of so
large rancho at so great distance from
a city, and has furnished himself with all
the modern appliances of weI-regulated
farm. The work is prosecuted under his
own supervision, and from the forging OF
horseshoe nail to the erection Of a first
class house can all be accomplished by
those living upon the rancho. Upward OF
one hundred men are constantly employed
in looking after the various interests ofthis
immense hacienda.
The Santa Gertrudes tract of land con-
tains 1925 acres, and originally was an
old Spanish grant, the title from the Span
ish Government running back through a
long series of years. Of this tract, about
65.D00 acres are under fence, embracing
within its folds grazing lands unsur-
passed in the known world for its abund-
ance in producing and in point OF quality.
An almost impenetrable belt of mezqult
timber borders on both sides of the Santa
Gertrlldes creek, within the pasture, ex-
tending for distance of twelve or fifteen
miles, and abounds in wild game--deer
and turkeys predominating in numbers.
In the construction of the pasture fence
great care was evidenced in the selection
of both posts and lumber. Like the pas
ture fence of Capt. Kennedy, wire and lum-
ber have both been brought into requisl-
ton. The entire fence is forty miles IN
length, portion Of which is constructed
of first-elass heart pine planks, sawed in
accordance with orders to specified size,
say twenty-four feet in length by six inches
wide and one and quarter inches I'D thick
ness. The posts used are meZqult, the ma
jority of which are from ten to fourteen
inches in diameter, calculated to last life
time. In building the lumber portion of
the fence, three planks are used, and are
firmly fastened to the posts with wrought
iron spikes manufactured for the purpose ;
the posts being set in the ground three and
ahalf feet. The wire portion of the fence
consists of three No. 8 galvanized iron
wires, fastened to the posts with
wrought-iron pin, so made as
to securely fasten the wire on
being driven into the post. Above these
wires and along the top OF the posts is
nailed board of the same description as
those used in building the lumber fence.
This fence is perfectly secure, and tits more
than useless for stock to- attempt to get
either in or out. This pasture is mainly
intended for the pasturing of beef cattle.
horses, mules, and imported stock. An
other fence within the main pasture is now
being erected, with a view to the better
and easier handling of stock intended fol
immediate sale. The pens used for work
ing stock are constructed of the very best
material. and are large and accommodating
in their makeup.
The gates of the pasture are guarded by
men employed for that express purpose
and for whom are erected comfortable
quarters. There are six gates, distributed
As follows: One on the road leadlng tc
this city, one on the road leadlng te
Brownsville, one at the Escondldas, one a
the Borregas, one at Las Conchas, and one
at Los Indios. These openings have al
been left with view to confer the Creates
accommodation possible to all concerned
In addition to his landed interest em
braced in the Santa Gertrudes tract, Capt
King had added thereto the Rincon dt
Santa Gertrudes, containing l5,500 acres
1851 acres on the Aqua Dulce, controls
ing magnificent watering places and graz
ing lands 13, ,2S4 acres on Padre Island
$4,000 acres on the Saus Greek; two
leagues at San Diego and by recentpur
chase of the Iona Alto and dependent ran
chos. twenty-five leagues, out of an or1gl
nal Spanish grant of 106 leagues, known
as the San Juan de Carricitas. The whole
of this immense scope of country consists
of the finest pasture lands in western
Texas, and must some future day be OF al
most incalculable value.
The stock of the rancho consists malnl.
of cattle, horses, and sheep, although
great number of jacks and jennets, goat
and hogs are included in the grand total