The weekly Arizona miner., 1877-09-28
The stak~d Plains

The stak~d Plains
 The plains extend eastward from the Pe- cos River in New Mexico and constitute n large portion of western Texas. The Pecos seems to have cut it's way through the west ern border of this tablelaud. The hills iise abruptly from the river until the surface of the plain is gained. That is the high .>t point, aud the surface slopes gently ia tae east, No tributaries flow into the Pecns from the east. The water which falls on the plaIns flows eastward, and forms the many rivers In Texas. lt Is An unSnnwn land, boundles, and endless. There Is legend connected with the same. IL Is said that in the early settlement of Mexico, a party of miacrs discovered extensive silver mines on the eastern border of .he plains, and ir order to find their way back they drove stakes at intervals along the r,ute, hence the Llano Estacado or Staked Plain. But little is known of this region, although many have traversed it, parricuaiy Mcxcans. for the purposes of hunting buffalo, or trading with the Indians. The gentle Impressions in the plains on the eastern border, increase inta more pronounced valleys as the travler pur- sues his journey eastward, until the waters have cut their way through the strata of rocks and flows in deep and rugged canyons, from the bOttsm and sides of which innum- erable springs of sparkling water burst forth. These springs form the permanent head waters of Texas. They are often strongly impregnated with salt, from the rocks and sulphuric acid from the vast beds of gypsum underlying the surface The plains break down the eastern border in perpendicular descent of from 400 to 1000 feet The out line Is most irregular. The rainfall On these plains must be great, as all the impor- tant rivers are generally heavy timbcrcd and offer shelter flr the Indians and fur game. The surface Is covered with flourish ing grasses, and lakes and streams of fresh ~ater abound. These plains will be the great herding grounds of the future. They willexceed the pampas of Buenos Ayers in the production of catse There the powerful and numerous tribes of Comanche Indians dwelt. Their power Is now broken. They warred with the fruntierSmen of Texas until they became weak, and the Government finnaliy drove them to their reservation in Indian Territory. Nothing now disturbs the solitudes of these plains but the herds of buffalo. antelope and wild mustangs. IL is eoustry to be occupied.
 The Mes'eRiISrcs (mustang huntersl of New | Mexico make semi-annual trip, io the staked l plains and generally succeed in capturing. | with lssso, large bands of wild horses 1 which are easily tanned and cannot be excell- l ed in hardness in any country. itis an these. plains that such men as Gregerip Herrera I and Juan Sanches of New Mexico, have spent | the last forty years, following up the vari- ous bands of wild horses and occasionally briag into the settlements numbers of the most valuable ones, which sell readily and command high prices. On these plains are small bands of horses called the moras or roans that are the finest specimens of horses, by far that have ever been found among the numerous herds. They are fleet and 1t Is with great difficulty they are captured. the hunters generally watching them away from the watering places for three and four days then dts ,pps rink 4 shhrt distance. these horses are allowed to come in and drink their thirst away when they are so full that they are unable to run but short distance at these times @esiealisTtS bounce down upon them, riding their racers when they succeed in lassoing the wild beauties.