Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-10-01
"Rounding-up" Cattle.

The busy times on the plains are con-
fined to the roundup seasons, OF which
there are nominally two. although the
first. which begins about May 20 and
continues until June l, and the second
commencing some three weeks later
and continuing well into August, are
SO nearly together that they might well
be called one season. At these round
ups. certain designated men, accompa-
MED by a foreman or captain, start
from some given point and travel over
all the ranges in their district. They
take with them wagons containing sup
plies sufficient for their probable stay,
and the brands of every owner in the
district. As the work is very severe
upon the horses, especially III ''cutting
cut" from the herd, each man has from
SIX to eight horses, riding one, herding
the others, and driving them along with
the wagons. In active work horse
should be changed every three or four
hours, and the rider, when he feels that
his animal is exhausted, rides up to the
herd, lassoes another, and quickly
changing the saddle, sets his tired horse
free. At the roundup all the cattle in
the district are gathered together IN
one vast herd and driven to the Tendez-
vous near the centre of the district.
The work of identification and brand
ing the calves then begins. The owner
ship OF the calves is ascertained from
the brand of the mother, and similar
brand is placed upon the offspring.
1t happens, however, that in numer-
Gus instances the calves become separa-
ted from their mothers, and 1t is mat
ter of impossibility to ascertain their
owners. These estrays are called
mavericks " and become the joint pro-
perty of the association of the roundup
district IN which they are found. These
mavericks are, by rule of the Colorado
association, sold to the highest bidders
among their members at the end of the
season, and the proceeds paid in the
general fund provided for the mainteD-
ance of the organization. The receipts
thus realized frequently amount into the
handsome sum of from 1900 to g, 600
per year in each district AT the sec
0nd later roundup the same branding
process is carried out, and the addition
al feature of gathering beef'' is added.
This consists in selecting such cattle as
are in desirable condition for shipment,
and may include all of the different
brands. An inventory is made of the
cattle so selected, and copy forwarded
to the different inspectors and agents
along the line of route the cattle Will be
driven or carried to market, as well as
To the parties to whom they are con-
signed. When the cattle are gathered
and the branding of the calves compile
| ted, the work of separating the herds
begins, and the difficult task of placing
the cattle of each brand IN separate
herds is accomplished. These are then
driven to their proper ranges by the
herderS.
The roundup party, which is in con-
siderable numbers, is generally accom-
panied by nan or men from each sur
rounding district and from the adjacent
States and Territories, who are furnish
ed with all the brands of their districts
Or States, and who are present for the
purpose of identifying any cattle which
may have strayed from the ranches of
other districts. Owing to the seeming
facility with which this class of proper
ty might be stolen, the greatest precau-
tiOns are taken, of course, to prevent
cattle stealing, and to this end the po-
lice and inspection service is rendered
As nearly perfect as possible. There
are employed in Colorado alone upwards
Of so stock inspectors or detectives, who
are constantly travelling over the State,
examining hides in butchering estab-
lishments, and inspecting brands, espec-
tally at shipping points. Their opera
tiOns, however, are not confined to this
State alone, but extend to all points
whence cattle are shipped. Some are
stationed at Kansas City, Omaha, Paci-
ic Junction ON the Burlington and
Missouri, and other points on the
routes to market. These men exercise
the right to examine all manifeSts and
compare them with the brands of the
cattle shipped, and also with lists which
they have with them.
If they discover in the shipment diff
feTent brands from those on the mani
tests they cause the arrest of the ship
per, if they believe the animals stolen;
otherwise they demand and receive
payment for the strange brands, and
turn over the amounts SO received to the
proper owners, SO that with an honest
enforcement of this rule cattle stealing
is next to impossible.