The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-08-16

The Western Cattle Ranges.

the stockmen of Illinois to ma out Inc
grass of the plains is remarkably nutrl-
tious. and that it furnishes such excel
lent feed during the winter that no hay
il required. at least fol horses and cattle.
Now, this is pretty generally understood,
and undoubtedly to a great degree
through the New York Tribune. and this
snring witnesses a great many stock
men from Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and
Kentucky and some from New England
seeking suitable localities for keeping
cattle and sheep. AS q general thing,
such are greatly disappointed, tor they
come hither with the idea that it will be
EASY to find a spot in some valley dlvld-
ed by a clear-running stream, where
thew can settle down, or at the worst, they
will take a large spring Of country
80 vast, it is not for moment supposed
that it is all occupied, since it's known
that the number of people in wyoming
is only about $4,000, in Colorado ABOUT
100000 and New Mexico about the same.
The trouble lies in their finding no suit
able range with water unoccupieo-aI
least, within reasonable distance OF
town for the idea with all this class OF
men Is that thew cannot think of taking
their wives out in the wilderness to cook
and wash for herders, and to live With
out society they have worked too hard
already, and they deserve and shall see
better times.
The most singular thing about the great
majority of those seeking ranches is that
they do not propose to buy land at all,
not even 100 acres with water on 1t; at
least they would not pay more than a
few hundred dollars, tor although they
NAV have $4,000, s., 900 or go 900, they
want it all. and more too, to put into
cattle or sheep. That men having farms
in the east we'll improved, and good
homes. should, on coming out to the
Mains. at once seek wild nomadlc lite,
is sort of mystery, unless IT IS TO oe
said that in a manner they recollect inc
lives of their remote ancestors away
back in the pastoral ages, when there
were no other dwellings, than tents. IL
is true enough that given range IS aft
to be overstocked and eat out, when 1t
will be necessary to 60 elsewhere, but 1t
OUGHT to be considered that. while COM
petition is great, this style OF keeping
cattle must come TO an end, for the larg-
Ar stockmen having from 1000 TO 1000,
and from this up to 10000 and 2O,0OO
head. can easily crowd out and drive
away one with a few hundred head, and
there is no help for it as long as the
ranoe is free. 1t seems, therefore, that
the idea of free range has demoral.z'
mo influence on the majority of men, to-
the more they can get without price the
less willing they are to invest dollar II
hut
Sheen men. however, see the absolute
necessity for having permanent head
quarters. and a supply of hay, especial.
for the ewes in the spring, ana therelor'
thew become owners Of real estate, OF
"claims." 1t is to be added that all wh'
have been on the plains few years ou,
land. that they may have water whlcl
cannot be taken away, but their I'm
proyements are hardly worthy OF tn
name. One man may be mcntlone
who has q contract for 32O acres, or tw
Quarter sections, from a railroad, and n
and his family have pre-empted two oth
or quarters, and they live in cabin, Il
the center having beautiful stream
which by the way soon sinks; and with
out having turned a turrow, or planted
tree he wants $40 an acre. or $6, 400 to
his right. for it is little more, since h
has made but small payment to tn
railroad. He has over $40 head OF ca
tie, which IN q few years Will increase
thousands. Lately man from pennsy
yania explored this country thoroughly
wanting to bring in 5000 blooded sheel
and as he did not propose to buy an
land. he went back into Kansas. II
miles from the west line, where he ca
oet water and uninterrupted range; b
Re did not understand, or he would NJ
believe that upon that line OF longltnt
fall rains are likely to come. and VINE
thew do, they destroy grass Tor WINE
feed. Nor did he, nor do others, unde
stand that il there is any locality whe'
water is abundant. where winter gram
ia good. and where Indians are not lik
" TO be troublesome, that it will not
long before there will be plenty OF neig
bors. and the grass will be eat out.
There is another obstacle greater tbs
sill these. This is the large cattle ow
ers whose focks or herds steadily !
crease and soon there is no chance +
common men. Several Of these larl
owners who have developed themselv
within a few years are on the groun
In most cases they commenced with
few head; then they took cattle
shares; they strictly attended 70 ou'
ness; they were out in the toughest Al
coolest weather; few Of their cattle 81
tered or were lost they were faithful
all their dealings; then they bought
credit; made payments promptly; tn
shipped to Kansas City and Chlcag
and everything prospered. General
such men bring their families out on
ranch. Their houses, though not e
cant, are comfortable; there is nice II
niture; books and papers abound; t
children are either sent away to schc
or teacher is employed in the hous
there are plenty of male and female $,
wants; supplies of every description a
of the best are bought at wholesa
Nor is cultivation neglected. for wat
is taken out Of the stream or lar
springs for irrigation; vegetables OF
kinds and some small fruits are grow
and the home is pleasant, and. to dece