Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-03-09
Aallcastcr t.ltelllQencer.
THURSDAY EVENING. MARCH Q. 1882.
Cattle and Cowboys on the Plains.

Cattle and Cowboys on the Plains.
Country Gentleman.
The management and control Of great
herds of cattle on natural pastures has
many features both noyel and interesting
to the eastern farmer From the state
line south of Kansas and from the west.
ern boundary of Harper county, for long
way, the whole country is an open range,
where instead of fences the cattle are con
trolled by mounted patrols, tho cowboys"
of the plains. The system of guarding is
now quite perfect. Cattle are held by
parties owning one hundred to ten
thousand head each, and these
Join, and forming "pools," unite in
holding under ono system range
of forty to eighty miles across. Camps
arc made so that the boys can ride line
around the outer circle, and turn back
those which are straying. Each camp is
a dug out or sod house and accommodates
two 70 six men and their cook, and the
riding line and guarding cattle is their
sole work. The spring round up"
"cutting out" cattle for market and go.
ing for strays are tho reliefs to rather
monotonous life.
Tho brands of various owners are carefully
recorded and known in each camp. Often
during a driving storm cattle will get out
of the pool, and during the severe blasts
of the winter Of 1880 and 1881 very many
lots were quite routed, and not recovered
until late in the succeeding summer. A
party of three Of US were camped in one
of the first of these storms, and sleeping
safely under our tent cloth in deep
draw" or ravine. Awakened at night
by cattle we soon were surrounded by
several hundred half-breed Texas long
horns. They stopped partly sheltered from
the wind. and here, for three hours in the
darkness, and the rain, near our heads, a
mounted cowboy sat and sang musical
refrain, l supposed for his own amuse-
ment, but learned next day that it was to
soothe the cattle and let them know Of
his presence. The scene was particularly
weird and strange, but this is part of the
guards duties. At the annual round up q
party start out with mess wagon, cook,
men having three to six ponies each, and
for weeks are gathering the cattle in
punches and branding them. Strayed cat
tle are recognized by the brand, the
owner and the vicinity of his pool deter
mined by a reference to book, and a card
sent to him when at some distance. Should
his pool be one joining, the outriders or
"liners - can often turn them where they
they belong. These cattle are now largely
graded with fine stock, and many even
punches held for one time of sale.
The cowboys are as much a separate
class as the sailors are sometimes very
similar. Away from the settlements they
are sociable, kind and hospitable, after
payday they often flock to the border
towns, spend in spree the entire earnings
of an entire season, and finally, after get
ting in some conflict with city authorities,
jump OH their ponies and are off for
another six months. Many of these are
Missouri and Texas boys, but among these
are 4 great many steady young men, who,
having few cattle, thus isolate them
selves for season to learn the
business and recruit their pockets.
Their ponies are Texas bronchos,
tough and often wicked, their
gait commonly walk, with head droop-
ing, aud rider on forty to sixty pound
saddle seated well back, nearly on the
launches The cowboys outfit is peci-
liar, and ne takes great pride in getting up
in style. According to authority 4 man S
hat makes the man, and his is great
waterproof with leather band or au imita.
ton rattlesnake instead. The necessaries
Of an outfit were given me by one as the
following, and soma of them do quite
come up to it Saddle, s35 ;'quirt, S.
bride, S. bit, s. spurs, s. hat, SO
band, So boots, $40; slicke:. So leg.
gins, $11 .; pony, II cents. But in truth
their ponies are commonly good, and must
be Of good wind and bottom for rounding
up and cutting out cattle.