The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-11-27
rAIK WITH A STOCK MAN.
Some TENS About the "National Trail"
and the Present Status of the
Cattle Business.

Some TENS About the "National Trail"
and the Present Status of the
Cattle Business.
a reporter in making his nocturnal
rounds last evening, happened up on
Mr. T. J. Watson, of Burnet, one OF
the best known representatives OF the
cattle interest in the west. Perhaps
no man IN Texas is more thoroughly
t:onyersant with every detail of this
important industry than Mr.. Watson.
He has had years of experience IN this
line. Commencing at the lowest
runG Of the ladder, he has worked
$ hbnseif up from the humble position
Of q cowboy to that of joint owner
OF extensive ranches in varions parts
OF the state. He had just returned
from the st. Louis assemblage OF cat
tlemen and was quietly regallng HIM
self with cigar in the sitting room
OF the BrunsH lex when he fell into
The tolls of the man OF the quill.
After some preliminary conversation
about The pleasures of the trip. and
ths'hospitality so royalty shown MEM
hers OF the convention While IN ST.
Louis. ne reporter asked:
eWhat is the present condition OF
The c2ttle business in Texas just
now p
Nv u, there isn't anything doing at
this tlme," was the response, matters
Ia our liae are almost stagnant. There
are 40 buyers and consequently no
sellers. The depression, too, Is genrral
thr0ugnout Texas, but | lock for
this state of things to change ere very
long"
eEbat is the cause of this existing
1uiineSs 2"
"seYeral things might be.mentioned,
hut III ny opinion the chief thing in
the way is the uncertainty about de-
livery next spring, l came down with
a gentleman residing in San Antonio,
who had a liberal offer for 700 head of
beef cat tie delivered in Montana next
spring He couldn't accept it be cause
of the uncertainty have men
toned. Now, if we get that national
trail
YES, what about it," interrupted
the interviewer, who, in common with
good many people, had read meagre
accounts of it In the dispatches, but
didn't fully comprehend its exact
significance.
"That national TRAIL" resumed the
speaker, twill be great relief TO the
cattle owners down here. 1t is SIM
ply passage-way for our herds to
Tick destinations in Colorado, Mon
tana and other points. You see that
the Kausss people object to Texas cat
Tie being driven through their state,
alleging that they communicate a fe-
yer to their own stock. This is true
OF cattle shipped there, but not OF
those driven. Anyhow, they can OBJ
struet us in our drives by quarantine
regulations, which keep our herds out
and prevent tteir further advance.
This IS simply disastrous to the Texas
renchmen; particularly so to those of
southern Texas, who must have an
outlet for their cattle. BY the
establishment of the trail by
an act of congress the trouble is obvi-
ated, and there is nothing to hinder
the successful completion of the
drives. As there are MO DIRECTORS but
the Kansas men it is hoped the bill
may 90 through, and if so the cattle
husiness down here will surely enjoy
another big BOOM"
slow about the trail, where does
i beQia and end?"
sit is to start at Red river and
terminate at the line of the
British possessions. its width will
average about six miles,"
Thinking he had asked enough
questions for one night the reporter
Withdrew, and left the gentlemen tC
the solace of his cigal.