The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-03-13

Correspondence Of The Democratic Adysset,.
WEEsArcuE, G0LiAD COUNTY, Texas, !
Eohrta.. )afh 14gn

NeietsPenuoAee oi aus bctHothHuc ADVISER
WkssArcur, GoaAD COUNTY, Texas,
February 2sth, 1880
Messrs. Editors, and readers Of the Demo.
cratic Adrocate, OF Westminster, Md. ~
wish to olter a few items from this distant
CLINE Of things that are so, hoping that they
may prove somewhat interesting Ii this cor.
respondence escapes the waste basket, hope
TO send letter occasionally, describing this
interesting State,--thAt ia SO far as / have
personal knowledge Of il.
Perhaps the most interesting subject might
offer is that OF stock. An individual inyents
a brand, and has il, with an ''ear mark,
recorded in the county, or counties, in which
he expects to raise cattle OF horses. He then
buys or steals, or both, start ofanimals, and
"brands' the increase according 10 his re-
corded device, which is generally two or three
letters or figures, or combination Of both.
Stock horses and cattle ramble anrestrainsd
over the open country that eompOses great
portion OF " Western Texas. Hundreds OF head
OF horses and cattle, owned by as many indi.
yiduais, may be seen at once ON our beautiful
prairies. As a rule stock Is legally known
only by brands and marks, for OF course an
individual could not know but comparatively
few Of his animals, when they number some
times thousands OF head. Ii is no uncommon
thing for one man to owl fifty thousand head
Of cattle. During the spring and summer, a
gang Of cowboys (men OF eonrse) oighl or
ten in number, mounted and armed with about
thirty feet Of rope, heavy spurs, with rowels
as big as "bland dollars" leather oyerals,
big Mexican "sombraro,h that) and a heavy
revolver, or Winchester rifle, or both, inclu-
ding "boss, seoHr the open country over
..,ha Ls.ss.s H..N
attorney as agents to brand, and put them
several hundred at a lme--into pen. Two
or three Of the "boys' then ride among the
cattle, aud with the dexterity of an Indian
'lasson the calves, and drag them rudely to
a big fire (which is inside the penl where sew
eral branding irons are kept red hot Anoth
err stands ready with hot iron, and amid the
kicks and beats Of the calves, deeply burns
the proper brand into the calfs skin. When
the animals are branded and marked, they
are again turned loose to 90 whithersoeyer
they please. Every gang OF ''cow drivers
is accompanied by u provision wagon, which
also carries their bedding, consisting of u few
blankets or quilts, and they sleep in the open
air. Cow drivers are splendid horsemen, aud
experts with lasso and firearms, and strange
to say, don't remember ever seeing one that
made any profession of christianity.
Horse stock is managed much the same as
cattle.
Breaking horse here to ride is about as
interesting as "Barnum's monkey show"
Banks may suspend payments; bilers may
bust; GRAFT may 60 around the world, or to
the white house again, but for a pony to at
tempt to throw Texas "bnckeroo rider the
horse had about as we'll try to jump through
his own mouth.
Texas raised horses are worth an average
Of about thirty dollars per head; cows from
niue TO twelve.
Sheep raising is an extensive business in
Western Texas. They are always herded in
daytime aud penued at night. Statistics
show that the wool crop brings into the State
about one third as much money as the cotton
crop.
About Que half OF the cotton and corn crop
is now planted; ard in this connection might
mention the weather. We had no frost last
year until about the first Of December, and
few days during Christmas water froze a lit
tie in vessels. never saw ice on running
streams here, and have seen no snow since
January, 1875. Vegetation is rapidly spring.
ing up, and already mother earth is clad
in its robe ofgreen, which is almos, perpetual.
Several kinds Of trees are in full leaf among
them / might mention "Anaqua, Spanish
and commonly called knockaway.) They are
in full bloom, which is white, and the trees
rival in beauty your petted flower pots. Irish
potatoes that were planted in January are
nearly ready for use. They spring up almost
as quick as the prophetic ''gourd vine" mem
toned in ''Holy Writ You may conclude
from that last senteaee, that We have Bibles
here, and sometimes read them, and we do.
Notwithstanding the great catalogue Of
crimes, thetts, ineendarisms and murders
that has ever eursed this God-iayoured State,
here are many noble, plous, wholesoHled
christians of all denominations, and the words
OF salvation are being proclaimed throughout
the State; even TO its remote aud sparsely set
tied western border may be seen many evan.
gelis,s, who for self protection, have to carry
Winchester rifles while travelling from one
appointment to another. How strange the
picture With the words Of Eternal life TO
the soul (BibleJ on one side of their pony,
and the instrument of death to the body on
the other. Desperate men who used TO defy
the law, aud do about as they pleased, are
rapidly being broughtto justice. With "rang
ers" ever on the alert for law breakers, we
are constantly hearing Of some sanguinary vii
Ian being overtaken by justice. The notorious
and dreaded "John Wesley Hardin, is now
serving out term of twenty-five years in the
peniientiary. 'Bill Laugy,' who has the
blood Of many men upon bis head, tried the
strength Of hemp aud found it good. "Bill
Posey died Of disease, caused By sheriff
and his posse Perioraiing his precious carcass
with bullets IN an attempt to arrest him.
Three Of the famous "Sauenn gang languish
in jail under sentence of death, aud several
other counties to hear from.
Lest weary the patience Of some one, /
close. With kind regards TO the Adcocaie
aud its many readers. PErER BARNEs.