Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-24

the olhen time with as much reverence as an
Arabian pilgrim pays to the Caaba at
Mecca.
Ralston, from a habit of calling everyone
''neighbor," became known as Neighbor
Ralston from Delaware and Chesapeake
Bavs to the Kaskaskia river. He was q
genius in his way, and always advertised
his bar as stocked with the wines of France
and Spain and all the fancy drinks known
in his day. However, he was invariably
Just out of any beverage that might be
called for except Mountain Dew. That never
failed, and as it was q good article his
patrons could generally console themselves
with it. Lager beer was unknown In that
section 40 years ago, but an ample supply of
tansy and snake-root bitters could always be
depended on at Neighbor Ralston's. Itwas
a common thing, however, for guests to COM
mence with foreign wines, and call for
everything in the list until snake-root Bit
tiers was reached, and then the old man
came out strong, never catching on to the
railery in the inquiries.
IN THE LAUREL BELT.
Some four miles east of Neighbor Raj
ston's, at Fred Cameron's place, the tribula-
tions of stock drivers began and never ended
until they had passed the mountains and
reached the beautiful blue Juniata. At
Yellow creek the undergrowth OF the kal
mia latifola, calico bush. or little laurel be-
gar, ,and extended clean across the mountains
and the woodlands were not inclosed, in
fact are not even now. The bush is as
poisonous as it is beautiful. Stock raised
in its vicinity avoid it by instinct, except
early in the spring, when ravenous for
greens, and then they generally partake
sparingly, only eating enough to give them
Al %ha .t.f foft tad ar6o
from the West were devoid of that instinct,
nature not deeming it necessary to furnish
it where the plant does not grow, and out
riders and runners were necessary for near
ly so miles to prevent the destruction OF the
herd, which would deyour the laurel
greedily.
1t may be news to many people in cities,
and undoubtedly Is, that intelligent farm
ers in Western Pennsylvania found farm
ing and stock raising in those days more
profitable than it is at present.
NO MONEY MADE THESE DAYS.
In fact comparatively few farmers are
making money in Allegheny county to-day,
and a great many of them have, in late
years, put mortgages on farms left them by
their parents-on farms on which those
parents succeeded in living we'll and ac-
cumulating a surplus. Cattle and grain
garden truck from the South are laid down
in Pittsburg for less money than was paid our
own farmers for them 40. years ago, when 81
was equal to 81 now in purchasing land.
Then 81 900 would buy enough land in
Western Pennsylvania to make a respect
able stock farm, afording extensive pastur-
age and meadow and grain land. A2-year
old bullock would bring SIS to $40 and that
is all he will bring now when the expense of
raising him has trebled in value.
At the same time the cost of dressed beef
to the consumer is much higher than
it was in pre-railway times, and
by the time three or four middle-men
get their rake out of vegetable and
fruit products, they cost the consumer as
much, often more, than in days of yore.
Some people say there is a remedy for all
this, but none have so far pointed il out.
WHEN DRovING ENDED.
Live stock driving ceased about 1868,
when railways finally reached every i'm
portant agricultural section of the country,
and imitation made the services of drivers
come SO high that railway shipment became
cheaper, and now only fancy animals can be
raised with profit and these to but limited
extent.
Beef cattle raised in the Middle States
were more easily handled on drive than
any other stock save mules. 1t might be
supposed that mules would be hard
to control in herd, but
they are not. Put an old white mare in the
lead, with a common cowbell around her
neck to locate her, and a thousand mules,
of all ages, sexes and conditions, if able,
will follow her from the Rio Grande to the
Hudson, and each will try to get as close to
her as possible.
Sheep drive we'll unless they are seized
with panic, when, If the foremost were to
jump over Niagara Falls. the whole flock
would unquestionably follow.
Hogs are the most difficult of all to han
die. If fat they make slow progress and
soon break down; if lean, and they become
demoralized, everyone takes his own course,
but they are very sociable animals, and,
after a dispersal, have been known to spend
days hunting each other and reforming their
ranks.
TURKEYS ARE DAISIES.
Among the most tractable stock to drive
are turkeys, when their wings are clipped,
and they are good travellers, but, when
roosting time comes, they must be allowed
to dictate, for no persuasion can induce
them to go further that day, and the drivers
must be up early in the morning if they
wish to keep the flock together, unless the
roosting place be near a corn field. Large
fiocks were driven in former times hundreds
of miles without loss. They are still driven
into this city sometimes from Greene county.
Another old-time industry that has been
destroyed is horse stealing. 1t was luera-
tive but rather exciting one in Western and
Middle Pennsylvania until down in the
early fifties, when telegraph lines were ex-
tended into most of the back counties. Be-
fore this time thief, if he got five or six
hours of darkness to travel ere the owner
missed his property, was comparatively
safe. Only the best horses-good travellers
were taken, and they could be speeded
down the mountain valleys and rushed
into Baltimore before the trail was definite
ly ascertained. Many of the best horses in
Pennsylvania went through Cumberland
clandestinely before the "wonder.working
wire" had formed net work fatal to the
thieves, who have finally lost their cunning
or have emigrated to Texas or the Terrific
ries, where the trade still thrives, hampered
only by Judge Lynch, who has more aver
sion for horsethief than he has for a MUIR
derer.