Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1889-07-06
FoRT BENTON, MONTANA,
limo ~ lSSn

The first disappointment overlook
the JOURNAL last week. Friends here
projected visit to the ''roundup," but
on reaching "Ch"rry couler." the sta
tion for that occasion the ceremony was
over, and the men We're resting from
their labors. The day was warm, the
sun bright and waves of glowing heat
chased each other across the plains.
The forethought of our hostess and
host for the day, Mrs. C. W. Price and
|. +. Churchill, had provided an ele-
giant lunch, accompanied by iced
drinks, allcyiated very considerably
the heat and exhaustion of our fifteen
miles ride. a solitary bush on the de-
clivitous side of the "coulee" furnished
all the shade that could be commanded
within sight.
In the main, therefore, the trip was
profitless. 1t had the effect also to
delay these papers longer than con
templated.
a fow days LATER the same party,
reinforced by John n. Churchill, Wis
tied "HighWooQ coulee," % miles dis
tant. to witness the ''roundup' Of the
herds on that range.
made up of an association OF all stock
growers within given territory who
employ detachment of expert herders
to separate and brand the seasons
accessions to the herd. AT each "cou-
lee" or watering place for the range, a
'corral." built and owned by the asso-
citation, is located. All the cattle of
that particular range having been col
lectcd, the herders cut off given
brand of COWS, and these, with their
calves, are driven into the corral"
sometimes almost filling the enclosure.
Two mounted men with lassos enter
and seeking the unmarked animals.
throw the loop with great skill around
one or both the hind legs OF the calves,
and wrapping the slack rope around
the pomel of the saddle, drag them
swiftly to the point where the ear
splitter and brander place msignia up
on them which fixes their identity ever
thereafter. The party of men who do
this work are itlnerants, moving from
one range to another until the 'round-
up" is completed. The work is attend
ed with some adventure on the part of
the men and excitement and amuse-
llltIt w lHC LII tIlt tdSt vi
grown cattle the lasso is thrown bv
one man around the hind legs, and by
another around the horns. The animal
is then pulled from both ends, in which
situation it is easily tripped and thrown
by the attendants. The JOURNAL saw
about 200 cattle caught and marked,
and i'll this number the very rare spec
tacle of two calves We're lassoed by the
hind legs at one throw and dragged to
the marking point. The horses en-
gagged in this work act with great in
telligence. They know as well as the
rider whether throw has been success
full, and conduct themselves accord.
ingly, and by the weight of the drag
they know whether the animal is to be
stretched for throwing. When herd
is driven into the corral" the herders
leap from their saddles and throw the
reins to the ground, the faithful ami,
mails remaining outside unhitched, but
unmoved, until their riders return.
The JOUENAL has just returned from
visit to the ranches of Isaac f. and
John n. Churchill and the Price d
Conrad cattle company, all situate on
the Missouri river, respectively l5, -
and 26 miles below this place.
The rancho first named is new, bu
in condition of rapid development.
About 700 acres are enclosed, while the
range adjoining is large and rich.
Part of this is 'coulee" ID miles
long. Mr.. Churchill has about 500
cattle on the range.
The second is a horse rancho with an
enclosure of 800 acres, which furnish
an ample home for the POO horses now
in stock. Still, like all his neighbors,
Mr.: Churchill enjoys a range practi-
cally unlimited. The Price Il Conrad