The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-21
A GROWING MONOPOLY.
Concentration of Capital in the Cattle Busi-
ness-Ranches of 100000 Acres.
Cheyenne Letter in Philadelphia Press.

Concentration of Capital in the Cattle Busi-
ness-Ranches of 100000 Acres.
Cheyenne Letter in Philadelphia Press.
One thing is plain; the method of forming
combinations and consolidating separate in
terests into few hands which has charac-
terized railroad and manufacturing interests
East has taken almost entire possession of
the stock business here. Since the opening
of the season, the number of ranches sold
out to few powerful buyers is estimated at
over 200. Such great corporations as the
Swan Bros, Gilchrist & Windsor, Rand &
Co., and the Powder River Cattle Company
have absorbed a great many ranches, some of
which have been regarded as very large and
prosperous. Foreign capital is largely con-
cerned in these transfers. For instance, it is
well known that Mr.. Swan, of the company
first named above, has been but temporary
manager for syndicate possessing immense
capital, resident in Edinburg, who has pur-
chased all the Swan Bros cattle for So $780,,
600. The Powder River Company as well,
with capital of $500, 900, has a directory
composed of the Duke of Manchester, Lord
Neville, Messrs. Sartoris and Kemp and
other Englishmen of wealth. These people
have paid 80 per cent. more for their cattle
than they would have been asked a twelve
month since.
Then l saw but the other day gentleman
returning through here from Laramie who, l
was informed represented large accretion
of capital in the East. He had been to the
Cheyenne and Arrapahoe agency, Indian
Territory, and purchased from the Cheyenne
and Arrapahoe Indians 500, 900 acres of grass
land from each, with the privilege of fenc-
ing He was in some doubt about interfer-
ence from the government, as the leases have
vet to be approved by the Secretary of the
Interior before they can be acted upon, but
said if all went smoothly the ranch build
ings would be put up at once He claimed
hat no nd nt 1aloe TO
Indians, and his purchase would give almost
every Indian inhabitant of the reservation an
annual income of SO apiece
Even while am writing I am informed
authoritatively by friend of the Swan
Brothers, whom / mentioned just now as
having gold out to the wealthy company
from Edinburg and Dundee, SCOT
land that they, the brothers, have formed
the Swan Land and Cattle Company, in
which Chicago and Milwaukee capital is
largely interested. Then there are the
Standard Stock Company In North Chey-
enne, with capital of at least $3.50 900;
Pratt and Farris on the North Platte, worth
about the same or more; the large company
just formed at the head of Running Water,
in Wyoming, with an immense capital, and,
finally, the American Land and Cattle Syn
dictate, organized a couple of months ago in
Kansas City.
This latter is now fast completing the de-
tails OF IIS OrSdnlzdtlOIi some OF winch Will
make trouble in the cattle business, or | am
mistaken. 1t is concentration of capital of
great strength and aims at the exclusive con-
troll of large domains in the southwestern
Territories. 1t will have branch offices in
New York and London as we'll as Texas. Its
membership numbering at present about
thirty, includes some of the wealthiest bust
ness men, land and cattle owners in Kansas
City. Both the United States senators from
Kansas and the Governor of the State are
members.
In the far Southwest it is just the same.
The largest transactions in cattle ever made
in this country, barring one, have Just been
made in Fort Worth and Gainesville, Texas,
aggregating over $2,30O000. But am not
attempting to print a catalogue, only to
show tendency And it is the most natural
one in the world. whats the use of our
small ranches?" asked of me drover with
the air of questioner who can answer his
conundrums best himself. 1T costs but lit
tie more to protect large lot of cattle than
it does a small one; 500 head will scatter in
grazing as far as 10000. You've got TO have
about as many horses and saddles and boys
for the roundup and branding. There's no
proportion at all in the profits.''