, 1889-01-03
RATES or ADvERrIsING.
TTEWFD BIZ A

New Years issue, and we take much
pleasure in reproducing it in full. 1t is
as follows:
1t was in 1881 50 that --the boom in
range cattle occurred. Eastern and for.
eigu capital was largely drawn into the
business. We have statistics as to the
cattle companies formed in Edinburg,
Scotland, but not as to those formed else,
where, abroad or at home. The Prairie
company OF Edinburgh" was organized
in 1882 and began paying dividendsat the
rate of % per cent per annum. This
induced the formation of ten more com
p%auies, very speedily, having an aggegate
capital of 500, 200, 900, herds numbering
$500 and owning or leasing 1920, COO
acres of land. Although none of these
companies received anything like the
number of cattle they purchased with the
ranches. they made money very fast at
first. aud this led to oyerstocking, that to
a fall in price of beef, and the necessity
of raying dividends to robbing the herds
Of all the cows and calves. At the same
time the feed was eaten out by the roots,
almost, and in the winter OF 1867 the
stock starved to death by the wholesale.
1t is estimated that 60 per sent of all the
range cattle in Wyoming died that winter
OF starvation. Many people who were In
the swim were thereby brought from sup
posed a%fiucnce 10 poverty or sent to bank
ruptcy. But during the past year the
territory has been getting on It's teet again
and ITS election indicates a population OF
about 10000.
There appears to be a steady influx of
settlers. All spots where there IS water,
or where water can be bought or got, are
being taken up. The owners of great
herds-how great they never knew them
selves-promlse to be succeeded by the
owners OF small herds, and the cattle, in
stead OF being driven into the mountains
Tor iood' where the deep SHOWS starved
and smothered them have the prospect
OF shelter aud OF alfalfa about the ranch
of their owner. Economy and thrift are
being brought 10 bcar. 1t might be
hough that these small farmers canhot
compete with the Nebraska and lows and
Illinois growers OF stock. They have
some disadvantages as compared with the
prairie states 1t Is true, but we think the
liniitlcss range they will be secured in
summer will countcrbalance these disad.
vantaEcs and enable Wyoming to always
continue a heavy producer OF cattle.
Steep are being introduced to some ex-
tent, but 1t does not seem to be regarded
with favor. Considering the desert the
sheep man leaves behind him, and that
his business IS absolutely on wheels, it
may very well be questioned whether the
introduction of sheep INTO Wyoming
would be much OF an advantage.
The railroads which stood at the
threshold on the east a year ago, are still
waiting the Northwestern at Casper, the
burlington at Cheyenne and also on the
North Platte. Who ever has watched the
cut throat policy of the railroads for a
year past will not think it strange that
they have stood still where they were a
year ago. The Burlington is said to have
lost about five millions by the strike. The
Cheyenne Il Northern has been awaiting
some sort OF settlement between the
government and the Union Pacific. The
Pacific Short Line-a new road projected
from Sioux City to Salt Lake-has been
busy all the season in preliminary work.
If it does not build 400 or 500 miles in
1859, we shall be much disappointed. We
are informed that Its surveys in Utah.
Wyoming and Nebraska, have been com
plcted and connected, right of way
secured and consolidation effected. They
claim to have the backing and the ability
to build the road between the two cities in
the next two years. They will rur
through the best farming region IN Sh,
world in Nebraska for the frs[0ne-thirG
of their course.
In Wyoming they will pass through