The daily gazette., 1882-03-09

CATTLE RAISING IN THE WEsT.-
The western country 10 destined to
become the most wonderful region in
the world. There seems 70 be no
bounds 20 It's wealth which is the
more astOnishlngly bountiful the more
the county is developed and its re-
sources examined. just now cattle
raising and shipping ia drawing the
attention Of capitalists to the fer
West. The prairie lands are found to
be exceedingly valuable for this busi-
ness, at which Immense fortunes are
beng rapidly accumulated BY men
who commenced life as herders and
had but q few dollars with which to
purchase land and stock. An Omaha
correspondent says the untitled pra-
ries of Nebraska have proved even
more profitable than those which are
under cultivation, though ths ono de-
pends in q measure upon the other.
Nearly all that portion of the State
west Of the Tooth meridian is covered
with buffalo, bunch and other grasses,
which cure as they grow and contain
wealth of nutrition throughout the
year. This natural hay affords winter
pasture, upon which cattle and sheep
feed and fatten. Thousands Of both
are annually marketed direct from the
plains, most of the former never hAv-
ing tasted either hay or grain.
In Nebraska the Tooth meridian is
nearly 260 miles west OF Omaha. More
than one third Of the State is embraced
within the grazing region. A fsW facts
which follow will illustrate the profitable
ness Of stock growing on these plains.
Mess;s. Barton q Dillon have q ranch
in Lincoln county, 800 miles west of
Omaha, and own herd Of som ncthine
like 10000 head. The junior member
Of the firm is Sidney Dillon, Prasident
OF the Union Pacific Railway Company,
who found it profitable to invest in the
business. Mr.. Barton is one Of the pio-
neeTs in stock raising of the Nebraska
prairiss, and has built ap al handsome
fortune in the last ten years. lie went
to Lincoln county when there was an
unlimited range. Since that date bun
dreds Of smaller growers have settled 10
the county aud restricted the range. He
says that within ten years the large
herds will bo removed farther west aud
that the whole region where his cattle
now pasture will be occupied by smaller
growers with 100 70 300 head each, with
tue pasture land all fencsd.
One trm just west of the State line
paid $4,000 for Hereford bulls fsw
Yeas since, and their immesss herd of
$4,000 cattle already show the improve
ment in the grade. William A. PaxtuE
has herd OF $4,000 near OgallaIa, 34U
miles wts. Of Omaha. aud who, As Presi
dent Of the Council Bluffs Stock Yarus.
says that the quality OF beei shipped last
year from Nebraska was ~ per cent.
better than that Of any preceding year.
There were 10000 cattle Tecsived at
his yards.
MIR. Paxton began llfs % a poor boy,
and herded cattle on The plains long be-
fore he began to deal in them himself.
lie invested few hundred dollAls some
years ago, and now owns 1900 cattle,
which are worth every ceut Of $500, 900,
TO say nothing Cf his ranch improve
ments and privileges. Besides his herd
and ranch, he OWLS several business
blocks III Omaha, aud is a stockhoder
IN Important and profitable corporations
in the city. His wealth is varlously es-
timated at from s600,OOO to $500, Goo,
and It is rapidly increasing. Every cent
Is to be credited to the stock business.
Z. Trussler, OF Sydney, put 5000 head
OF cattle on the range in 1860, which
cost from IS to $40 per head, and
although the following winter was the
most severe ever experienced in the
State, he shipped sixty tive carloads last
season.
When 1t is knowthat the cost of caring
a steer to three years Of age does not ex-
ceed 50, and that the average market
price at that age is $33, it is easy to see
what profitable business this is. These
figures are based upon the cost of rain
ing cattle Oh grass alone. Within a few
years Western growers have been feed
ing large number in the eastern conn
ties. They reach market in March or
April, instead of August, and weigh
enough more to make their shipment
profitable, although 1t may cost them
20 per month 10 feed them on grain. The
increase brings to 7 cents per pound,