The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-09-13
A MODEL SHEEP RANCH.
What a Man Accomplished on a Small
Beginning-A Princely IncOme-Pronti
on Texas Wool.

What a Man Accomplished on Small
Beginning-A Princely Ineome-Prohts
on Texas Wool.
from the Corpus Christi Texas Times.l
The subject of this sketch began oper-
ating with sheep in the year 1865, when
he had 1000 head of improved sheep.
With these he removed to his present
location, pre-empting, under the home
stead law, 100 acres of land, upon which
his residence now stands. Careful and
unremitting attention was followed by
abundant and substantial progress. Year
by year saw increased flocks and added
acres, with more conveniences OF every
character. He was satisfied with COM
paratively slow progress for few years,
preferring to grow upon the actual in
crease of his ranch, rather than to go in
debt for any thing. Every addition to
his farm was paid for in cash; and to
this principle he has adhered, until now
it is his boast that he has "never paid
dollars interest for borrowed money"
in his life.
Approx hing his ranch from the Pen
itas, and s4hen within about three miles
of his resid once, the traveller observes far
to the left what he at first takes for
large chalk hill, not looking for young
town in that locality. Closer inspection
develops the fact that he has mistaken
the cluster of buildings and their rock
chimneys for white hill. Reynolds's
surroundings more closely resemble one
of. the cotton plantations on the lower
Mississippi before the war than any
thing | can liken it to. To give an idea
of this ranch, there is, first, his dwell
ling, large stone mansion, with its
necessary connections; adjoining this is
a school-house, 16x15 feet, constructed
for the use of his own children. Within
convenient distance is his stable, a
building 60x25 feet, of lumber, shingled !;
around this are sheds and various in
closures for different purposes. West
from his dwelling house, and within a
stones throw and plain view are five
cottages, well finished, each with agood
rock chimney. They are in line, at
| right angles from the "house.' These
cottages are for his hired men, such as
drivers, stablemen, etc. Southwest, land
about $50 yards from his dwelling, has
just been completed shearing house,
| iOAOO 1cCus VI 1uIllDCl, ttlil SOfClCu WIN
cypress shingles. 1t is to be fioored
with rock, and used for shearing sheep.
Closely connected with it is to be con-
structed house for storing wool, 70x26
feet in dimensions. This will be of rock
entirely, with iron roof, and fire-proof.
The rock for this building it already
quarried, and the contract made for put
ting it up. Out-houses for all purposes,
dipping-troughs, etc., are in this cluster
of buildings. At various eligible points
on his land, dwellings for his shepherds
have been put up. These buildings are
10 in number, and are movable, but
large enough for man, his wife and
family.
In addition to the possessions above
enumerated, Mr.. Reynolds owns $4,000
acres of land, upon which his tlocks and
herds Craze. Some 5000 acres of this
land are under fence, and the first of
next year be will inclose the whole of it..
He has an abundance of water, the Aqua
Dulce furnishing permanent supply
Besides this, four wells, recently sunk,
fitted with pumps, supply convenient
water for the scattered tiocks. These
wells have been sunk with the "well.
borer,n are Is inches in diameter, and
) of various depths. One of them, &c
feet deep, gave him % feet of water
Two large cisterns 20 feet deep and II
feet in diameter, furnish water fol
family supply.
\ Mr.. Reynolds owns 5000 head of high
grade sheep. His sons, who live with
him, own 1900 more, given to them by
their father. Two hundred and fifty
head of fine horse stock and rs head O
mules are kept for his teams and saddle
purposes. One hundred head of cattl,
furnish milk and butter and keep up thu
stock. Twenty-Five men, all with fami
lies, are employed as shepherds, drivers
! ETC. Reynolds has four 6-mule teams tt
do his hauling, and when he brings sup
!, plies from town, starts no insignifcan
train of his own.
1t costs Mr.. Reynolds between $40
and $500 per month to pay the expense
incurred for various purposes upon thi
ranch. Over and above this large ex
, penditure he has a handsome incom
from the following sources The figure
, are based upon this springs clip of wool
and estimated for the fall
Sale of wool, spring, 1S77............$lI,O O
, Sale of wool, fall, estimated. ......... 500
Sale of sheep, ewes, bucks, etc...-...... 800
Total. ......................... $1,000
This does not include the wool iron
his sons focks, nor the increase O
) lambs. He derives additional incom
7 from the sale of horses, etc.