Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-07-05

beginning ON the west, next the New
Mexico line, with Reynolds OH both
sides of the river; Lee & Scott, on both
sides; Prairie Cattle Company (Litils.
field) on the north side; Glydon 4 San
born on the south side; ID. I. Beals on
both sides; Hansford, on the north
eide; Gunter 4 Munson, on the south
side; Groom, on the south side; YORK
4 Draper on the north side, and
number or small outfits on the south
side opposite, complete the list of
holders to the Indian Territory line.
The north bank of the river Is the
poorest grazing. The breaks of the
creek leading up to the flats adjoining
the through fence already alluded TO
are In many places sandy and poor,
with an open sod of sand grass and
blue stem, while the breadth of short
winter grasses are comparatively
small. These sandy portions prcdon-
mate more particularly towards the
eastern division of the Canadian river
portion of the Panhandle.
On the south side of the river, adj
joining the New Mexico line, short
creeks rul up to the enormous flats
known as the Staked Plains, which
continue on south for nearly 800 miles,
which have little water or shelter,
although covered for the most part
with very rich sod of short winter
grasses. With the exception of a
small strip of sand grass across the
upper breaks of the creeks, the south
side of the Canadian has excellent
range. About sixty miles from the
New Mexico line the hea6waters of
the Red river of the South rise ON the
af Inc IA VA nj ..fl F,r
themselves the well known south Palo
Duro canon. The district between
this canon and the Canadian river,
about thirty-five to forty miles, is well
watered and sheltered, and Is probably
the best range on the river. Further
east, on to the breaks of the Washita
river, the country is more sandy, the
original formation being artially de-
nuded, and the outcrop OF gypsum and
alkalies are the cause of the bad water
prevailing. The grazing is fair and
the shelter usually good. The water
though unpalatable to taste, is good
enough for stock.
The Texas Cattle company of Dun
dee, own n small bunch OF cattle on the
Washita river, In Hemphill county.
run under the horseshoe brand. Leav-
ing the infall of the Canadian and GO
ing south, the immense flat known as
the Staked Plains occupies the western
half of the remaining portion of the
Panhandle to the south. This plateau
has an elevation of about 5000 feet
above sea level, and forms the divide
between the infall of the Pecos river
on the west and the headwaters of the
Red River; Pease, Brazos, Colorado
and Concho rivers of Texas, on the
| u.l,t al, al 10. lac.
and breaks which rise up to this pla-
teau.
Messrs. Gunter Il Munson of Sher-
man, Texas, own Il small ranch Oh the
extreme head of the South Palo Duro,
but Mr.. Adair, an Irish gentleman,
owns and controls the main portion of
the head waters of the Red River of the
south, and the Matador company of
Dundee, own and control nearly all
the headwaters of the Pease. These
are two of the largest and best shelter
ed ranges in the Panhandle; and
although both are held on this side,
the ability and skill with which these
properties have been managed not only
reflect great credit on Messrs. Good
night & Campbell, the managers, but
for once compare very favorably with
their American neighbors. The head
waters of the Brazos and Colorado,
although desirable range, are inferior
to the Red River and Pease, and sixty
or seventy miles east from the heads oil
the streams the country. becomes
smooth, and the water scarce and of
poor quality. Lower down these
streams the sheep interests prevail.
The land question in the Panhandle
Of Texas as applied TO cattle ranching
has undergone IA radical change In the
past three years. Before that time
there was no fencing, and no cattle
man thought of acquiring land in fee
simple, but as the ranges began to
crowd up with competition, the sharp
owners Immediately set to work 10
acquire the necessary water fronts, To
secure their ranges at least; and now
the Matador, Adair, Beals, Gunter IL
Mupson, Glyndon d Sanborn, Lee a.
Scott and few others have inside OF
the lime mentioned either bought or
leased 20 TO 30 per cent. of their entire
ranges. Many Of the smaller herders
still squat on the public domain, and
In some instances have allowed their
ranges to be bought out from under
them.
Texas is entirely different from the
territoriesin respect to land purchases p.
The main bulk of the lands in the
Panhandle can either be bought or
leased. They originally belonged to
the state, which gave them off for rail-
way scrip or school lands. The school
lands can be leased or bought under
certain conditions. The railway scrip
lands are either in the hands of private
individuals or corporations fol sale or
lease; whilst in the territories and
some of the states land can only be ac-
quired by homestead, pr -emption, or
desert entry. Water fronts In the
Panhandle are daily raising in value,
and are double the price they fetched
two years ago. Those who bought first
not only bought cheapest, but in many
instances consolidated their own
ranges by acquiring the best portions
of their squatting inclined neighbors
and cody fenced them out. Any one
who advocates holding range any
where In the state of Texas on squat
ter's rights is assnredly behind the
age, and money prndently invested In
these will be found to be very " ell able
to take care Of itself.
The cattle trade of the Panhandle IL
undergoing other changes besides the
acquiring of water fronts and fencing
OF ranges. The handling aud breed
ing Of cattle is being reduced TO sys
tenn. and the introduction of grade