Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-07-27
The sale Of the Mayhew A. ElIswor

NC oato VI buo 0Ad1 ilcW q EuSWOTLn
cattle and ranch, to Gregory, Eldred &
Co., reported in another column, again
shows the confidence ranchmen of ex-
perience and means have in the bust
ness. 1t has been claimed by some that
stock cattle have declined and that buy
ers are not. so plentiful as last year; but
the sales recorded by the INDEX during
the past month do not bear out any as
sertions of the kind. Yearlings meet
with ready sale at SO per head, 2 year
old steers bring $50 and dry cows and
2 year old heifers SIS to $50, cows and
calves $3.50 to $40. Sales of ranches
and stocks of cattle at $50 to S35 per
head, range count, are certainly above
last years prices. The losses of the
past winter were heavier than usual,
and when men who fully realize the ex-
tent of the losses pay $50 per head,
range count, We at once conclude prices
have not declined.
There does appear to be reluctancy
on the part of buyers, but this can be
accounted for, we think, when it is well
known that there are no new ranges to
stock-that every ranchman in the coun-
try now has his boundary lines fully es-
tablished and that there can be room
for nothing more until the beeves are
shipped off, and until then ranchmen
do not care to make further purchases.
The beef market is shade under last
year and at least month later than it
was then, yet so long as yearlings sell
for SO, twos for $50 and S35 and threes
up to $40, and when it does not require
more than one dollar year to hold an
animal, including losses, strays, etc.,
the prices will not decline-not so long
as fifty, or even forty, per cent can be
safely counted on from such purchases.
Almost every ranchman will want a
few stock cattle when the beeves are
shipped out, and it is safe to say that
good young cows with calves will sell
here this season through and for years
to come for at least $40 The eastern
demand for feeding cattle and butchers
stock must be supplied from the graz
ing sections of the west and Southern
Kansas and the Indian Territory offer
as handsome investments in ranches
and cattle as any section of the grazing
country.
Taking into consideration the class of
cattle, close proximity to market, cheap
transportation, systematic manner of
holding and gathering cattle, price of
grain for saddle stock, cheapness of
provisions and ranch fixtures, cattle
are cheaper here than in any section
where they live on grass the year round.
We have had an unusual loss, but this
was not unexpected, and seven years
experience has taught us to not be sur
prised il another hard winter occurs be-
fore another decade has passed. No
business is without losses.
To those wishing to buy no better
time will present itself than this season,
but to those who have ranches estab-
lished, who have stood the storms and
losses Of the past winter, we would say,
stick to your ranch-a few COWS proper
ly handled will work wonders. The ad-
vance in the past two years in the value
Of cattle has more than made good all
losses, and we still have the increase as
profit.
There have been fewer failures in the
growing and ranching of cattle on the
prairie than in any known business, and
nothing short Of q national financial
crisis can reduce the price of cattle, Iso
long as the demand exceeds the supply
or so long as children increase in mum
bers faster than calves.
Nine cases out Of every ten where
parties have sold their ranches and cat.
tie here and have tried new fields, they
are now dissatisfied and many have re
turned here, or would gladly do so il
they could End an opening here.