The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-06-05
KANSAS CATTLE.HERDING.

SsVAAA0 WHY 13O6U0W10 VWOCI 1ShOAnS
From One of the Herders Existing
and Thinking of Nothing but Cattle
detailing the Cattle-The Herder's
Only Diversion.
IT is the early dawn of a May day in
Western Kansas. A sea of rolling bill
lows of land extends in every direction
to the utmost reach of the vision. The
plains are covered with rich growth
of bluejoint and buffalo grass. A herd
of cattle is sleeping in a corral by a
creek-cows. two-year-olds, yearlings
and calves. A few ponies are picketed
with long ropes on the prairie. A
couple of saddles, blankets and brides
hang on pegs by the corral bars. The
scene is eminently peaceful. Occasion
ally a COW rises, and, walking to the
salt barrel, gently ticks the salt, then
ticks her nose, as though she had Sc
rious thoughts of picking it, so as to
insure its keeping over summer. But,
on reflection, she concludes it will keep
this season at any rate, and walks over
to the scratching-posts and there stands
rubbing her neck up and down. Sud-
denly stopping, she gazes, open-eyed,
at a wolf, who sits on his launches
some hundred yards from the corral.
sitting there pensively, looking at the
great amount of fresh meat. After
gazing at the wolf until satisfied, the
cow lies down again. The deep breath
ing of the cattle, the morning calls of
the meadow-larks, the soft music of the
wind as it whistles through the short,
tender grass, are the only sounds heard.
AS the east grows red, the occupants
of large dug-out situated by the bank
of creek lounge slowly out, and walk
to the water, where they drink and
wash-the latter speedy operation, as
the herder does not waste time in wash
ing. One goes to feed the ponies corn,
and saddle them; the other builds fire
and cooks breakfast. This meal con-
sists of corn-dodgers, or baking-pow-
der biscuit, fried bacon and strong cof-
fee without milk or sugar. There may
be 200 cows in the herd, but none are
MIXED. The herders simply exist with
as little trouble as possible. As rule,
they do not read; do not think of any
thing but the cattle. 10 attend these
well is their ambition. After break
fast the bars are taken down, and the
cattle string slowly out of the corral.
Forming in long files, they follow the
deep, well-worn trails that lead to the
feeding grounds. 1t is a very leisurely
march. Now and then an animal drops
out of line, eats few mouthfuls of
grass, but soon drops into file again
and resumes marching. On reaching
the desired feeding ground the cattle
spread and begin feeding. At about
ten o'clock they are full, or nearly so;
and in listless manner they change
front, and feed toward water. Arriving
there, the herd drink, stand in the
water, and SO "loaf" away an hour.
They then lie down, and for two or
three hours remain quiet. AS the sun
gets low the cattle again spread and
feed. AS the sun sinks to the horizon
the herders slowly force them to feed
toward their corral, and by the time
they have fed up to it, it is generally
dusk. Bars are put up, ponies staked
out, supper cooked and eaten, and the
herders 60 to bed.
In all herds there are few animals
that lead off; that is, they will not re.
main on your range, but constantly
endeavor to lead the herd to pastures
new. These animals are generally
yellow or black steers; but sometimes
COWS or heifers are guilty of the trick
Of course these animals are sold a!
soon as possible; but until sold they ar.
the cause of . vast amount of hard rid
ing. Many are the devices used tt
break them of this habit, but never
knew any to be successful. well re-
member large three-year-old heifer
coal black in color, which had a great
desire to feed in a ravine that we did
not want her to feed in. Almost daily
she would slip out of the herd, and
some of us would have to drive he1
back. One day new herder, unac
custOmed to Texas cattle, said he coulC
brighten the heifer out of the ravine
and brighten her so badly that she
would never again leave the herd. We
all told him to 60 ahead with his plan
Riding near the ravine, he dismounted
and, taking off his coat, crawled
through the tall grass until directly
above the heifer. Then, holding the
outstretched coat in front of him. he
executed a species of war-dance, &C
companied by unearthly yells. The
heifer was paralyzed with
fear, in fact. She stood motionless
looking up at the horrible figure above
her. Then the awful fact impressed
itself on her brain that this apparitior
was a new kind of beast, destined t.
drive her and her kind from the face O
the prairie, so she might as we'll di,
fighting rs to starve to death; and sh'
ran, not away from the grinning, dane
ing, bowling idiot behind the coat, bu
at him. Dropping the coat he had NJ
use for, he turned and ran for hi
horse. The horse quickly calculated
the chances, and coming to the conclu
sion that the COW would catch thu
dancer before the dancer got to him
ran of. The would-be frightener o.
cows ran for his life, and howled fol-
help. The COW gained on him, ant
when her hot breath struck his nakeC
neck he fell. The COW passed ovel
him, but in passing stepped on his
back, driving the blood out of hi.
mouth and nose. Before she could
turn on him, the other herders went a,
her and drove her off. On seeing him
dismount we had ridden rapidly to him
well knowing what would happen. II
is needless TO say that youth never re.
peated that experiment.
The cattle of Texas are not afraid OF
a man, nor are they afraid of horse;
but they are afraid of a man on a horse.
They do not understand, at least do not
seem to understand, that q man on
horseback is combination of animals.
Apparently they regard the two as one
animal, and one that is too powerful
for them. To get off of a horse in a
herd of wild Texas cattle is almost
worth a mans life, and an experienced
herder will never do it.
All herds of cattle have a bully
among them. There is boss COW, and
she is hated and feared. Of ugly dis
position, constantly hooking unoffend-
ing cows, greedy in eating, she makes
herself generally disagreeable. Or it
may be that the bully is steer. The
characteristics of the brute are all the
same. The rest of the herd are all
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