The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-03-17
TEXAS
Its Vast Area -Oattle Raising.

964, ,736 acres improved, and 1862, ,294
acres unimproved woodlands, with 1896,
1913 unimproyed pasture and other lands
the whole valued at $50, ,149, $50. The
value of the live stock is set down at S37, :.
425, ,l94, and is classified Horses mum,
bering 424, ,504; mules and asses, 81 ,322;
milch cows, 42s,04s; working oxen, l33,.
407; other cattle, 1888, ,5Ss; sheep, ia.
35l; swine, 1,202,4
A vast portion Of the area is dry pas
ture land, singularly well adapted for cat
tie breeding, and the herds have increased
immensely since the census was taken in
1870. The State may be divided into
three physical districts, each differing
widely. The lower is level, the middle IS
undulating, and the upper is hilly and
mountainous. The lower occupies the
coast, extending back from thirty to sixty
miles, where it merges into the undulating
which embraces the whole of the interior
and North, reaching westward to the
mountain tract. The mountains and table
lands begin about some 200 miles from
the lower district, and cover the greater
part Of Northwestern Texas on the con-
fines Of New Mexico. In the second d.
vision are the high rolling verdant prairies,
the narrow-wooded bottoms, the beautiful
islands of timber, the quick running
streams, aud the charming cline, with a
soil but little broken, not inferior to the
alluyial country below, while the products
are more varied, as the planter may raise
cotton and tobacco, with every kind Of
grain, and then it is one of the finest tracts
in the world for cattle. Such is the dis
trict to which We desire to draw attention
now that stock raising promises SO well in
the future, for perhaps at this moment
there is no better opening for young men
Of enterprise and capital than the cattle
ranches of this region of Texas. One Of
the most interesting accounts is that Of
Edward King, published in London in
1875 by Messrs. Blackie & Son. He says
cattle raising is grand pastime with hun.
dreds Of Texans, who like the grandilo.
quent sound of the purchase of 10000
head. They enjoy the adventurous life on
the great grazing plains, the freedom Of
the rancho, the possibility of an Indian
incursion, the swift coursing on horseback
over the great stretches, the romance of
the road. Nearly all the immense region
from the Colorado to the Rio Grande is
given up to stock raising. The mequite
grass carpets the plains from end to end,
and the horses, cattle and sheep luxuriate
in it, while the giant pecan throws down
stores of oily nuts every year for the wan
dering hogs to revel over. The mountain
Gus regions around San Antonio offer su-
perb facilities for sheep husbandry, and
the valleys along the streams are fertile
enough for the most exaeting farmer.
There are millions Of cattle now scattered
over the plains between San Antonio and
the Rio Grande, and the number is stea-
dily increasing. It is not uncommon for
a single individual to own 100000 head.
The Rio Grande Valley has always been the
paradise of stock farming. Before the
Spaniards had left the Texan country the
whole section between the Rio Grande
aud the Nueces was covered with stock.
The Indians were in those days employed
in herding the cattle, but as soon as the
influence Of the missionaries began to waue
the red men ceased herding, aud returned
to their old habits Of murder and rapine.
Herds of thousands range at will over the
unfenced lands, and only once yearly do the
stout rancheros drive them up to be exam
ined, branded and separated. Ownership is
determined by peculiar brands and ear
marks, records of which are kept in the
Offices of the county clerks and published
in the newspapers. There is a stock rails
ers association which has decided on rules
for mutual protection aud aid.
In 1872 there were 450 900 cattle driven
overland from Western Texas to Kansas
through the Indian Territory by Bluff
Creek and Caldwell, up the famous CHS
holm trail In 1871 as many as 100000
were driven across. The general value OF
Kansas beeves was S12 to $13, gold, but
after deducting all expenses the average
profit on the drive is not much more than
a fair rate Of interest on the money in
vested. The cattle interest is rather heav-
lily taxed, and suffers in consequence.
The Morgan steamships carry some AGO.
600 beeyes yearly by sen. The two great
shipping points were Wichita, on a branch
of the Atchisen, Topeka, and Santa Fe
Railroad, at the junction of the Arkansas
and Little Arkansas Rivers, aud the Els.
worth, on the Kansas Pacific Railroad. The
whole country at the time Of transit is Gov
cred with vast herds, which begin TO arrive
in Kansas early in May, and await buyer
there. A stampede is something which
battles description. 1t is a tempest Of
horRs and tails, thunder Of hoofs, light
ming of wild eyes Merely to see mar
on foot is sometimes sufficient to set Texa
cattle into a frenzy Of fear aud a speed,
stampede for the great majority Of then
have never been approached save by mer
on horseback. The gathering up Of stool
is no light task, as o herd of $4,000 cat
tie will range over an area so miles wild.
by 100 miles long Large stocksaissr
are always increasing their stock BY buyin
herds adjacent to their ranges. Man
persons making fortunes by simply gath
ering up and branding the cattle whic
the rightful owners have neglected |
brand; cattle found unbranded, aud "a yes
FOLD, being known as Mavericks. Mr.. Kin
, tells the origin Of tla .lame--from Colon
Maverick, who placed small herd on a
island, aud forgot all about them. Ths
: increased 50 that there was not suficiel
. grass, and had % be removed, when the
. were found 70 be 800 noble but ferocioI
J, bulls that cleared all before them. Who
( ever man came in sight they ran madl
y and scattered 70 the four corners Of We
9 ern Texas, where the bulls were long 1
8 terror Of the land.