The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-08-09
THE CATTLE DISEASE.
The Report of the Commission Sent Out
by Gov. Dawes.
Lincoln Journal. 3lst.

Lincoln Journal. 3lst.
j. M. Hoffman, of Lincoln, and J.
C. Birney, of Crete, members of the COM
mission sent out by Governor Dawes on
Monday to investigate the reported Texas
fever among cattle in the vicinity Of Max.
well and Brady station, returned, after
having made an exhaustive investigation,
last night. They report the disease the
genuine Texas fever, which opinion is also
sustained by DR.. Wilcox, veterinary sur
geon OF Wyoming, who was on the ground
and rendered the commission some valuable
service in its inquiry.
Arriving at North Platte the commission
was met by delegation Of about twenty
five stock men, representing -, OoO, OOO IN
cattle, and from here the party proceeded
to Maxwell. At this point two herds were
found infected with the disease. The
largest was that of John Mccullough, who
has lost seventy-fve out Of a herd Of 500,
and will probably lose 100 more.
LAtBrady Station the commission found
that Thomas Lynch had lost thirty-seven
head-all but one Of his entire herd.
A number Of the animals that had died
from the disease were dissected by DR.. Will
cox and inspected by the commission. They
showed that every organ IN their bodies
were affected and in some cases it amounted
to putrifaction.
The commission learned that the disease
was introduced in the state at Brady Station
on the Goth of May last, by the importation
of lot of cattle direct from Texas by rail.
The cattle were landed at Brady Station,
driven to Maxwell, Ogallala and the grazing
lands beyond. 1t appears that they brought
the germs Of the disease with them, which
was deposited on the ground over which
they graZed by drOppings from the moulin
and through the usual channels. Wherever
they went they left these disease germs,
which were communicated to the native cat
tie which grazed over the same ground.
The commission are thoroughly convinced
that the disease is not contagious, nelther
do the infected cattle leave the germs OF tie
disease for others. No cattle have been at
tackled except those that grazed over the
narrow strip of ground passed over by the
Texans, and when the sick cattle have been
turned in with well ones the latter have not
teen infected. These facts have been ascer-
tanned by experiments as well as by the
statements of eminent veterinarians and they
can be relied on.
The commission report that about 100 cat
tie so far have died and the probabilities are
that as many more will perish.
The stockmen are considerably relieved
from their anxiety since they are convinced
that the disease is not contagious, and are
taking measures to quarantine all stock from
the infected grounds until after frost, when
the disease germs will be killed.
1t appears that Texas fever is perfectly
natural with the Texas animal and does not
affect them in the least. When driven
through they become acclimated before get
ting this far north and get rid of the poison.
1t is only when brought here by rail that
thew bring the disease, and the lot shipped
to Maxwell in May is the first introduced in
Nebraska by that method.
The stockmen have made arrangements
with the railroads not to receive any more
Texas cattle bound for Nebraska ranges,
and if any more are landed it is probable
that they will be shot.