San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-04-13
c,rTLB KINGS CONVENTION.
....t OF q Gathering Representing More
~ Than Million Head OF stock.
Glohe psmocrat, March ?sth.


Globe Democrat. March ?sth.
A. Gainesville, Tex, last week an i'm
.,ant meeting of cattle men was held.
The cattle interest OF the West has
avn into gigantic proportions, and
siyhocoming of sufficient magnitude to
,.sact the attention of Legislatures and
asConoress. At the convention men,
.:oned about 600 men gathered, who
tu"nresented over 100000 head of cat
i i,a at a low estimate, SlS,000,000 in
u m Mr.. NJ. P. Buel, of Hunter,
Tnsns g. Co., the widely known live
.,ock firm, was in attendance at the
Convention, and yesterday informed
.ho reporter of the Globe-Democrat
that the object of the convention was
" arrange for the annual cattle round
Nv as IL is called, and to provide meac.
mres for the protection of the different
interests involved The country rep
resented by the delegates is bounded
On the south by the Texas Pacific Rail-
wav on the north by Kansas, on the
vest by the western boundary of Texas,
On the east by Gainesville. This vast
reoion is divided irto districts, which
are again apportioned irto sub.dis-
tricts. The former are presided over
hv superintendents, and the latter by
ioremen. At the roundup, which be-
oins April 10, forces of men under the
General direction of the superintend-
ents gather up and drive all the cattle
in the country named from the south
srn to the northern boundary, and at
the ranch of every owner the cattle bear
inc his brand are separated from the
accumulated herds and left with the
proprieter. The process of gathering,
driving and selecting continues until
the northern boundary is reached. Each
member of the association contributes
to the expense of the drive, either by
money, pro rate according to the number
of cattle owned, or by the furnishing of
drivers. The attendants at the conven-
ton, Mr.. Buel says, will market this
wear about 100000 cattle, which cannot
sell for less than $25 per head or a
grand total of 100000, and the bulk
Of this vast property should, and prob
ably will, be handled at this market.
The magnitude of the dealings in the
West is not fully recognized and ap-
preciated by persons outside of the
trade. In one instance given by Mr..
Buel $4,000 head of cattle were trans
ferred at one sale for 100000, a vast
fortune in itself, and such transactions
are by no means unusual.
Mr.. Buel met many parties who
owned from 10000 to 10000 and $4,000
head, constituting colossal fortunes on
foot which were annually driven across
the State, and at last forwarded to this
and other markets.. These cattle have
been fed on free grass, the cost to the
owner has only been the branding,
handling and shipping, and this has re-
suited in total expense Of only 80 cts.
per head per annum. The profit has
necessarily been enormous, being on an
average 5000 per cent on the invest
ment. Mr.. Buel knew of one instance
where gentleman had gone to Texas
in 1875 with few Thousand dollars
less than IL thousand-and was now
worth round million.
A widespread misrepresentation seems
to exist as to the character, sagacity
and capability of the cattle-growers.
Mr.. Buel said he found the delegates to
be gentlemen of more than average
business ability; that they were also
men of integrity and good habits. He
did not see one intoxicated delegate. or
hear an ungentlemanly expression, or
witness any reprehensible conduct.
Gainesville did itself great credit by
the welcome extended to the Conven-
ton and to its visitors. A magnificent
banquet was spread in the Opera House,
where 400 plates were laid, and splen-
did ball followed attended by all the
leading citizens; many of the ladies ap-
peared in costly attire furnished by St.
Louis houses. The leading streets
we're Zig hted by pyramids of gas burn.
ers, and the occasion was made one of
general rejoicing and display. The
Convention passed resolutions of thanks
to the inhabitants, and adioured to
meet next year at Fort Worth.
Mr.. Buel said also that st. Louis
sent no representation to this assem-
bly, of vast business and wealth, aside
from those who attended in the inter-
est of private enterprise. Other cities
mad agents for yards and papers and
roads in attendance, but ST. Louis, re-
lying upon her natural advantages, was
sitting supinely while trade drifted IN
other directions