The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-01-15

Laramie plains beef.
While five or six years ago cattle in this
section were lIerlcd in sufficient quan-
titles only for the local demand, ,such
MS comes from the scattering settlements
and military posts, Imd the business lid
not attract much attention, it is now
grown to such importance Tint it seems
likely in few years to be more extensive
and profitable tIan gold or silver mining.
The returns are large, and it is nOticea-
bic that n greater share of the capital
that las come this way during the lust
year has been put into stock Ms the safest
aud best investment. There are large
Numbers OF moneyetl men, ont Of benlth,
who have their cattle ranch Oh the plains
or in the parks, and are getting the
double returns Of restored health and
multiplied tIucats.
The tendency to go into the cattle bust.
ness III hrge why seems to be growing.
The amount of capital represented in
some Of the, herds is sufficient to run n
national bank. Five hundred or n thou-
sand cattle aro looked upon MS OF very
small account, although from $4,000 to
$4,000 is represented. The average
herds run from 1000 10 5000 head.
There are many having from 5000 to
10, 900, and several from 20, 600 to 40, 600.
At only $40 through md through here is
from 100000 to S4OO, 600 III u single
herd, to say nothing Of the corrals, the
hundreds Of ponies, the hired "cow-
boys" the g1in and feed III store, and
the reserve fund necessary in handling
such Il "buncl Of cattle. While most
Of the herbs arO. owned by individuals
and firms, the capital invested is larger
t!,ml some actually employed by com-
pauics III working some Of the most ex-
teusivc gGld and silver mines Of tho
Rocky lnOuntNins.
It is estimated thnt there nre 10000
square miles Of grazing lHnds, fit for
1erding and natling else, west Of the
Kansas borders, between tho Union
Pacific md Atehison, Topeka and Ssulta
Fe rnilroaits. Owing to the rapid i'll
crelIse OF cattle many Of the best ranges
have been eaten of, 50 that new ranches,
handy to water, me ut NIL times sought
for. The sheep mel have gradually
been invading this field. Grlzing
MS they both do upon the public
domain, the only right one has over tie
other is priority Of settlement. The
State md Territories cannot leGislate
upon the matter. QRarrcls have at
times come up, and ut ono time, two
years agO, there was such bitter feeling
that considerable numbers OF sheep were
killed by the cattle men, followed by
retaliation in kind. The two interests
seem 70 he antagonistic, and, rs il by
common consent, the sheep men, ut least
those doing business on the largest scale,
arc operating south of the Arkansas and
in the San Luis valley. Northern New
Mexico il n kind Of paradise for them,
though there il occasionally trouble from
the fact TINT cattle men Rre-also carrying
ou large business in some parts Of that
Territory. 1t may not le generally
known tint stock r1iging is M extensive
lnld profitable business in the slow Ter
ritory of New Mexico The lnrgcst herds
arc to be found there. One man owns
forty-two townships, which he lIas stocked
with GO, 1000 he,ta Of cattle. New Mexico
cattle are Of an inferior Crude, as no
Inns been paid TO breeding up.
This is also the ctlSc with sheep, which
in some districts seem tts cover the couu-
try for miles. A limited number Of
families, mostly pure CastiliaIs, have
absorbed an1 own neNrly MI the t!0cks.
prominent among whom may be named
the ArnijO family, who have $50, 900
sheep. They drive to Denver every
spring from 10000 to %, 900 for market.
To return, however, to our subject-a
talk about cattle. 1t seems Ns il the
next few years were to largely change
tlle beef supply OF the East. Instead Of
coming from Texas, as now, the best nnd
most will come from the old buffalo
ranges i'll western KanS,Is, Colorado aud
There arc now more cattle Oh the
plains tlian ever before. Large num-
bers from the Texas "drives" instead
Of being marketed ut once are driven
westerly over the ranges to feed II few
months before being sold. Generally,
cattle winter well, without shelter or
much il my feed beyond what they get
by grazing. Last winter was open md
mild, without tiny hard storms or severe
weather. But the winter before that WIS
l,npreccientelly cold aud thousands Of
cattle persisted. On the average the
stockmCn takc the chances, and come out
without much fusS from exposure; hut it
is found best 10 I've prepared for storms
aud extreme weather, md it is now clS.
tomAry amoIg the most experienced
herllcIS 10 have shelter aud feed for their
focks during the winter.
Tie plains cattle men arC now wholly
dependent upon the ups md downs Of
Eastern markets. Some of them have n
regular demand for their becvss from the
markets Of Denver, Cheyenne and the
larger towns OF Colorado and Wyoming,
and large numbers Rre driven into the
to supply the miners caInps.
The Salcs to butchers i'll Denver Inst sen.
son amounted to $159, 600, md to The
t1Ide $lG5,0O0. During the
past summer there hAs been u brisk de-
maud from the San JuMi country tnd
from the Mew towns in tho Rluck Hills.
There lNs been good deal Of risk and
inucll loss in trying to drive cattle into
the latter region, owing to tho frequent
Indian rails md stampctGng; but where
II mnu could get through safely lie hal
no trouble in disposing Of his beevcS ut
a high price. Fatcattle are worth eight
cents per pound OH the hoof Mt Dead
wool. AT tie older settled towns along
the line Of the railways in Colorado rld
Wyoming the price Of beef is moderate,
hut high enough to give good profit to
the drovcr. At Denver the price is from
two ind one.llalf 10 three cents. 1t ro.
l. L L L