San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-05-02
The earliest example of the crazy quilt
art was embodied in Joseph's coat
Pittsburg Bulletin.
THE CATTLE INDUSTRY.
PAST AND PRESENT METHODS OF
THE IRREPRESSlBLE COWBOY.

'Texas Runs and Ground Ups" Now
Being Rapidly Narrowed Down Into
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the Good Old
Times-Losses of Hard Winter.
The progress and success of the cattle
industry in the west has been marvellous.
For many years the business was con-
Quoted almost entirely by individuals,
and so widened and prospered that in a
few years the cattle kings were almost
as numerous and opulent as the famous
"bonanza kings" They had personal
supervision over their range and stock,
and as the circle of their dominion
brOadened the Ground up'' and the line
riders found here and there fields of
all the game animals which in former
times Swarmed over the country. Indian
tradition told them that away back in the
fOrtieS a certain winter had left no living
creature for spring to make glad with her
balmy air and green grass. So the idea
was born to them that it would be well to
take in partners while the business was
yet in its glory. So friends in the east
were written to concerning the profits and
small costs of cattle raising. individuals
purchased half, third or fourth interests
in the ranges or herds, as the case might
be, and then came about the formation of
syndicates and companies. For several
years the increase was simply immense,
and the trail from Texas became one con-
tinuous stream of animal life, emptying
itself upon the plains of Wyoming,
Montana and Dakota. ....az2
The profits were large. Each success
sive "beef round up'' brought to the east
ern market thousands of head of cattle,
comparing favorably with the "pampered
corn fed' stock of Nebraska and Illinois.
Newspaper writers set forth the business
in the most glowing colors; magazines
gave facts and figures with elaborate care;
money flowed in from the great CONNER
clal centers; new companies were formed
every day, and the festive cowboy grew
apace and hourished his six shooter with
impunity, while his employers sat by their
warm fires in ease. Did not the cowboys
look after their interests on the stormy
range? So they must not be curbed, even
IL they did sometimes make things lively
in these little western towns. In those
days the owners of small herds had no
rights these reckless fellows were bound
to respect A regularly recorded brand
was the only thing that insured anything
like safety to the tiocks. Indeed, it was
no unusual thing to see during the spring
round up half dozen men, mounted on
bronchos, ride up to farmers gate, open
it and gallop pell nell across the pasture
and Ground up' his whole herd of tame
cows. Ii there was any doubt in their
minds about the brand on a creature the
lassoes were taken from their places on
the saddle, there were few deXtrous filings
of the rope in the air and then the animal
was stretched upon the ground. May he
it was the children's pet heifer but for
fear of hurting her the hot iron in the
timid hand had pressed too lightly, and
and there was no mark On the hide. So
she was maverick" and regardless of
threats and persuasions, she was driven
away to starve to death the next winter
on bare range.
But the day of retribution was coming.
The spring of 1886 opened up clear and
H-'Tht. with but little rain to call forth