Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-18
TIE COWBOYS HARD LIFE.
California Ted Gives the UninItiarsd few
Poiursrs-Not Bad Fellows, But Terror
70 Evil Doors.

California Ted Gives the UninitiaEed few
Poinfers-Not Bad Fellows, But q Terror
70 Evil Doors.
Fred W. Veazey, of Emeryyille, Cal,
better known among his fellows as 'Cali-
fornia Ted, was found by a reporter re-
Gently at one of the hotels. Ted is a typical
cowboy and cattle drover of the wild West
He has made money and is bright and good
hearted. Naturally his odd dress attracted
the newsgatherer, and the following con-
versation, in which Ted did all the talking,
was the result:
"At rough guess there are 10 200 cow
boys employed on the cattle ranches he
| said. mo class of laborers are so poorly
| paid, and at no possible streak of luck can
q Northwestern eow-rancher work more
than six months In the year at salary of
$25 per month and board, the board consist
ing of corn bread, bacon and lard. Outside
of that we provide for ourselves. A cow
boys complete outfit costs $145. That
is q frst-class one The cattle
company will furnish all outfits, and deduct
so much per month out of your salary till
paid for if so desired, but all thoroughbred
cowboys prefer to buy their own. To be a
successful cowboy one must be an expert
horseman, swift and unerring with the
lariat, know all cattle brands in the State.
and be familiar with all trails leading to
the dead line. There are two round-ups-
one in the spring, the other in the fall. In
the spring the calves are separated from the
cattle and branded, and in the fall, or beet
round mp all 4-year-old and the largest 8
year-old cattle are run out and driven to the
dead line, the dead line being the destina-
ton where the cattle are shipped.
ga large hat, rawhide suit and carcass
full OF bad rum do not make cowboy. A
better natured set of people do not exist
than the American cattle herders. He lisa
terror to all evil doers. The horse thief.
road agent and Indian fear him above all
other enemies. The cattle man is always
willing to help a fellowbeing in distress.
Eastern people ask why we wear such pecu-
liar clothes and carry firearms. The wide
brimmed hat protects US from the sun and
winds which blow hot sand in our faces;
the heavy leather band helps to hold 1t
on. The "slicker" or coat is made Of
rawhide, is waterproof. and long so as to
protect both ends of the saddle in wet
weather. The leggings are made of the
same material to protect our limbs from
thorns, which abound in the Western
country, as the Spanish lance, bush cactus,
scnappeLdAS, etc. hlgn DeeleQ DOOL8 are
made to ride in, not to walk; the high heel
to prevent the foot from sliding through the
stirrup. The large Skerchief worn around
the neck is very useful, for when riding for
our lives and with Our eyes full of mud and
dust we have no time to hunt in the pockets
for something to wipe them. We carry fire.
arms TO protect ourselves from stampeding
cattle, rustlers, Indians and wild animals.
"Once while in Colorado cattle camp, a
young fellow came to MS and asked for work.
Being one man short the foreman put him
on. He worked few months, when one
day he came in and sat down on stump
outside the cabin. The boys had been
drinking and playing cards all day. Two
of them quarreled: the one opposite the
door pulled his gun and fired Just as the
young man entered. The bullet pierced his
heart, killing him instantly. We dug a
grave and buried him back of the cabin.
We didn't even know his name, or where
he came from, and you bet there was no
playing cards or drinking in that camp for
DAYS afterWard" ("