The new North-west., 1881-12-16
WYOMING TERRITORY.
Some Account of the ca,tie-Raising Business

| For. Laramie Corr. Pittsburg Telegraph.
In shis article we will speak only of the
cattle kings, and reserve our accoun! OF the
minerals, soil, climate, and general resources
of the country for subsequent article. The
first cattle ranch was located on the north
side of Platte river in 1876, by Shadley &
Co., only five years ago. Cattle men were
no. slow to find out the great grazing re-
sources of the Territory, and in the incredi-
bly, short space of five years the following
companies have been formed and located
within our borders: Godell & Co., 1900
head; Smith Il CO., $4,000; Peck & Co., 15,-
600; Davis & Co, $4,000; Hunter Il Co.,
| 5000; Newman Bros, 5000; Heck Bros,
| 5000; Walker " Co., 1900; Bartlett Il Co.,
5000; II. J. Ford, 5000; A. Robinson,
| 1000; Vantassal, 5000; w. H." ranch,
5000; a. P."-4 partners-7,000; Searight
Bros, 10000; Judge Cory, $4,000; Creigh-
ton & Co., $4,000; Pratt & Co., Is, 900 Frei-
sen Bros, $1,000. Owned by the above COM
panies, $4,000.
1t takes one herder to every thousand head
of cattle, or in all 324 men. Each Of these
men is furnished with five horses, or in all
1920 horses. In the above list there are
nineteen companies. Each company has one
foreman. Eight horses are allowed each
foreman, or 1872 horses for The foremen.
Again, each company has from four to ten
draft horses. Each foreman receives from
500 to Sl25 permonth, and each herder from
$50 to $40. Each company has its own
brand, which the law requires them to have
registered. The cattle range extends over
an extent of country 100 miles by 100 miles.
Truly, large pasture field. They have,
twice year, what is called "the roundup"
for beef, when all the cattle ready for mar
ket are shipped east. Godell & Co. have
shipped this year 10000 head. The cattle
live the year round on the pasture. They
are never fed, and it is surprising what fine
beef they make. The cattle men rule the
Territory and shape its laws to suit them
selves. And woe TO the man who kills any
Of their cattle. To kill a steer is punished
by fine and Imprisonment, and in some in
stances even death. A standing reward of
$3.50 is offered to any man who will inform
upon those who kill either steer, cow, or
calf. Thus they are doubly protected by po-
lltely inviting every man in the Territory to
be sort of policeman. Not only so, but
making each man who knows of violations
of the cattle laws party to the crime if he
does not report it.
The cattle men mentioned in this article
are iocated, with two or three exceptions,
north of the Platte river; but some very
heavy stock men are on the sou,b side, but
as we are not acquainted with their brand
We can give no very accurate account of
them. What is called "small cattle men,"
of which there are many here, own fiom
1000 to 5000 head. The cattle kings do not
recognize them as cattle men. The firms
enumerated here in this article and set down
at from 1000 to 10000 head, are fractional
herds-part grazing in Nebraska and part in
this Territory. We endeavoIed to give you
only the cattle grazing on Wyoming soil.
This brief account will give an approximate
idea Of the great cattle interest of Wyoming.