Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-28
A Cattle King.
Chicago Times.

Captain @. G. Slaughter, one of the
cattle kings of Northern Texas, is stop
ping at the Palmer House, and the Times
reporter had an interesting talk with
him on the subject of stock raising. He
said that stock brought good price at
present, and that the price was likely to
advance indefinitely. The animals he
sold at st. Louis brought him 81 per 100
pounds. Stock raisers were sure now of
profit Of from 10 to Is per cent. on their
investment. The outlook was very
promising, and it was very hard to tell
just when the business would reach its
maximum and settle upon a reasonable
paying basis.
''My ranch" he said. ''is at the head
of the Colorado river, in Northern Texas,
and have 40, 900 head of stock at pres
ent. My grounds cover four counties.
and the men l employ to guard the herd
ride circuit of more than one hundred
miles. Shortly after the war | moved
from Kansas to Texas, and began the
business of stock raising. But, with
many other large dealers, l was COM
PEELED to quit the country on account Of
the cattle thieves, whose depredations
thoroughly discouraged the enterprise.
Ten years ago, however, we perceived
how rich the grass was growing in Texas,
and determined TO move back and occupy
the lands. 1t was about seven years ago
that the leading cattle-dealers formed a
protective association, and subsequently
procured the passage of stringent laws
against thieving. We can send a man
to the penitentiary now for stealing a
calf.
Il started in business by bringing 800
head OF short horn cattle from Kentucky
and crossing them with the pure Spanish
long horn breed. This united the heavy
qualities Of the former stock with the
power and activity of the 'rustlers, and
the result has been as satisfactory as
could be desired. Few people under
stand how the business can be so profita-
bic. The fact is that it not only gives a
handsome dividend, but the herd doubles
every three years. The English and
Scotch are investing great deal Of capt.
tai, finding that it pays them 10 per cent
interest"
Capt. Slaughter thought that the price
OF beef would not continue as high as it
has been this spring The high price
was owing to short crops. He stated
that the emigration westward from the
Atlantic coast and eastward from the
Pacific was gradually but surely con-
tracing the limits of the grazing coun-
try, and there was no reason to doubt
but the progress of civilization would
affect the cattle as it had the Indians
One of his statements will doubtless sur
prise many who have formed different
estimate of the cowboy character. "The
cowboy" he said, els not now the reck-
less semi-savage of ten years ago. He is
a lab0rer without any pecuniary interest
IN the herd, but he is industrious and
reliable, and often holds positions of high
trust The greatest interests. involving
hundreds OF thousands of dollars, are
constantly confided to him. He cannot
be bought. The cowboy, as l have
found MIN, is thoroughly loyal to his
employer. Of course when he reaches a
town, after an exile on the plains, he
makes the most of the opportunity to
enjoy himself, and may go to wild ex.
tremes. This is to some degree natural;
it is the conduct of sailor after long
and tedious voyage But the cowboy is
very different character when you meet
him IN his camp or with his horse upon
the plains. If you were loaded down
with money he would not rob you; such
a thought would probably never enter
his head; but if you were in want you
could count with certainty upon his
assisting you, and he would go to greater
lengths than you imagine to do you
favor.