The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1875-12-15
JASPER
old Times in TeNns--Bramslcd Cattle
hess1ing M eIse Boek~ : Hpeessness
Notes. etc. etc.

so many railroads. no man was asked fol
his credentials here rs to honesty, OF
whether he was travelling under an as
sumcd name to escape from punishment
deserved for crimes committed elsewhere
but was received as he represented him
selfto he, sud heartily welcomed. II
was the most thoroughly Democratic
state of society Of which | have any
knowledge, IN fact may say 1t was Ar
cadian. The old heroes who had wrcsted
this glorious land from Mexico were rest
ing from their tolls, each having patent
for Y "lcaguc of land" granted to It's
founders by the infant republic. They
had disbandcd their little army after the
decisive battle of San .Iacinto, and had
scattered to different parts of the country,
and when one of them found grazing
lands which suited him, Inc pitched his
tent and laid claim to all the land within
as many hours ride OF it in each direc-
ton rs his fancy dictated. The next day
he would mount his poay and proceed TO
look over his domain, the extent of which
depended upon the rapidity with which
his mustang got over the ground and his
accuracy in measuring time by the sun, as
watches wero almost as unknown as tho
surveyors transit and chain. II he
found any intrudcrs (for as such he
would regard them, who claimed
the land from priority oi location,
they would settle amicably if they could
and one would move. If not. an appeal to
arms was made and bullets took the
place ofarguncnts. The survivor, after
deccntly interring the remains of his foe,
held the title to the blood-staiucd soil
until another rival appeared to dispute
Ii with him. TO their credit, be it said,
however. such scenes were not frequent,
but the stories of the vendettas fought
between families, many Of which have
become extinct, occupy large place in
the legends of the country. The land
was large and there was room for all
their wealth, the cattle and sheep
which accompanied them in their wan-
1erings in search of new homes, increased
rapidly as they were remote from mar
ket, and the trouble of getting
them there would scarcely repay
their owners for the trouble it cost them.
They however had their annual spring
ground up when the calves were
branded and had the marks of their own
srs cut into their cars AMI 1t was under
stood that when iancher was branding
his own, he would also brand the calves
with the cows bearing the brand of hi.
neighbor, who probably did not live with
In thirty miles Of him, and who was Off
IN another direction, and would perform
a similar service for him. AT a stated |
time they would meet and ''ssttle their |
books" as they called it. If man APP
Peared upon the scene, who was adven-
turous enough to undertake to drive a
"bunch' of cattle to market hundreds
Of miles away, Often through the
country Of hostile Indians. his hon
esty was not questioned, but he
was supplied with the number he
wanted, and without any guarantee as to
his honesty but their simple faith in
human nature, he was bid God speed. If
he got through safely he would settle
with his patron upon his return. This
continued until railroads began to pcne-
trate tho West, which brought them
nearer market. when host OF unscrupu.
Io'is adventures made their appearance,
who would get trusted with cattle, which
they would drive of and forget the little
formality of returning and settling for.
This worked Il revolution IN the manner
OF handling cattle, and resulted in the |
of cattle and hide inspec-
tors, rs described in n former letter; to be
found driving away cattle now TO which
you cannot establish your title by bill of
sale, mean. death by hansin. at the
hands of the rangers, and the local pa
pers are filled with notices describing, by
the aid OF rude wood cuts. brands To
which some hcrdor lays claim few Of
these copy below. After cnumcrat-
ing the brands TO which lac lays claims,
one man winds up his notice as follows:
"rhe undersigned hereby notifies all con
cerned that he iorbids the selling Of any
cattle In the above brands and marks, en-
cept becves. lie is willing that any re-
spOnsible stock man should sell his becycs
provided such beevcs DC properly in
.pccted and prompt settlement made
therefor. lie has no objection to per-
sons milking his cows and anyone in need
has his permission to use his becycs
to supply actual wants" In rs much as
they are obliged to lasso and throw
| '"n these cows before they can milk
them, reckon me, ..ul ,ot no ho,,o.1
10 any great extent. Another say..
Agents will take notice that all brands
received from me are to be worked. No
STOCK cattle are to be sold. For beevcs
Tour years old and upwards, twelve dol.
lars Is the price, and as mucl, more as
70" can get" Twelve dollars amt much
'of Tat tour year old, isit: Another .
nave purchased half interest in tho
.n.ire stock OF cattle belonging TO John
nni' ana nave entire control of said stock
! hereby forewarn oil persons not To scl,
or handle any of said stock without writ.
'eii authority from me-" That looL .
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