Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-12-01
TERMS, 8. PER YEAR In ADVANCE
Cowboys and Rounduos.

The "ronnd up" is an occasion that would
excite interest and enthusiasm in any man
OF spirit. II. is the gathering together in
an immense herd of cattle OH a thousand
hills, and tits a familiar occurrence i'm Tex
rs. Colorado, and other localities where
great herds of cattle are kept grazing.
Stock raising is very important indus.
try IN Colorado, and many hundred thous-
and head of cattle Craze there throughout
the entire year. Only those who have
crossed the plains can understand how vast
they are. TO the ordinary observer they
seem to be an immense dreary desert, void
OF vegetable life. They are too barren
ana dry TO be utilized for agriculture, and
yet the grass is so nutritious that cattle can
subsist well OH it during the entire year.
Ihls grass begins growing late in the spring
ana continues TO grow until August when
it dries up for want of rain. 1t cures with
ont being cut, and when there is no frost it
retains its nutritious qualities through the
whole winter, being as rich in january as
III July. Unless the winter is one of great
severity, cattle can live on grass alone.
When there are heavy snowfalls and contin-
unued cold weather, however, thousands
OF cattle perish unless they are sheltered
ana led until the snow disappears. Last
| winter was one of great severity. and the
railroad tracks crossing the plains were
lined with dead cattle. Stock growers in
different localities have erected sheds in
which their herds can find shelter i'm stormy
weather, experience having taught them
the necessity of such precautions. In some
places the stock can find shelter in ravines
and under bluffs, but if the snow lies long
ana becomes crusted over, the herds die
from starvation, as they cannot get to the
grass,
Cattle men allow their stock to roam at
VIII over the grazing grounds, and do not
see some of the herds for months. AT the
end of this time the stock may be a hundred
miles away from the original range. but
each man has his stock branded in such a
way that he can separate it from the many
Tother herds when the timescomes for driy
ing it to market, or to its former rance
Certain laws and regulations exist amono
cattle men, and if these are observed there
Is no difficulty experienced in separating
| the various herds. There would seem to he
little labor or expense attending the rails
ing OF cattle in such a state as Colorado,
ana during certain months the cutie can
well take care of themselves.
In the spring comes the "round up." The
cowboys prepare for very vigorous action.
for it is their duty to gather into one great
herd the many cattle belonging to the diff
erent districts. Sometimes all the stock
Within an area of a hundred miles square is
driven together, and as many as two hum
dred thousand head of cattle are collected
in one herd. An idea of the magnitude of
the task may be gained from the fact that
it takes from the last of April until the
middle of July to complete it. Then comes
the hard work of ''cutting out" or separat-
ing the different herds. Many calves are to
| be branded and the stock intended for mar
ket must be separated. Farmer bows can
imagine what the scene is like. Perhaps a
few head of cattle belonging to one man
are in the midst Of drove of four or five
thousand owned by another man: and they
are not separated without considerable skill
and trained hOrsemanship.
The great herds, so long unrestrained. are
frightened and rebellious. The meek cows
low and trimble with fear, and the fractious
calves race wildly around, as if eager to es-
cape the burning brand that is to be put on
him. The swift-footed young animals Of
ten lead the cowboy wild chase over the
dusty plain under the burning sun. Away
they 60, the pursuer and the pursued. The
bulls of Bashen roared not louder than do
these believing animals as they angrily paw
the earth and shake their massive heads.
The voices of the cowboys screaming to
each other and to the terrified beasts add to
the general tumult.
The cowboys have a fancy for costumes
that wonld excite the envy of Ute Indian.
Their horses are swift of foot, but the close
of the roundup" leaves them jaded and
painting.
| The approach Of an immense herd of
rushing, believing cattle is an exciting
scene. lGreat clouds of dust arise, and
roaring sound as of mighty wind is heard
as the animals appear in the distance. The
cowboys vie with each other in the man
agement of their herds, darting swiftly
here and there, to intercept the fight of
the frightened animals.-Yo Youths Compan-
ion.