The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1891-04-01
Davis & DOZiel
A TERRIBLE STAMPEDE.
hundreds of Beasts Driven to Death BY
hunger and Cold.

l"dHSf NNS VI DN1oAo DftFGH 10 DEUGN W
hunger and Cold
Cattlemen in Nevada will remember
this year as the worst they have ever ex-
perienced in their business, says the san
Francisco Examiner. They were so
badly crippled by the havoc wrought by
last winters storms among their herds
that they have not yet recovered from
their loss, and the business activity of
the entire State has been somewhat ham
pered thereby. More on this account
than any other, several purchasers of
land from the Central Pacific have been
given years extension on their pay
ments, OF some 1000 of these pur-
chasers only half dozen made their
usual annual payments.
Recent estimates of the loss of cattle
last winter run the number up to $50, 900.
and examples are numerous where out of
herd of ZOO, three score or less were
alive in the spring. This was Mr.. l.. NJ.
Strawbridge's experience, while G. W.
Crumb saved but /, $50 out of 10000. S.
c. benson and Frank Miller, of Sacra-
mento, lost between 5000 and 1000, val
ued at 100000, while others lost so
many breeding animals that this summer
some ranches branded 1000 to 1900
calves where for several seasons past they
were in the habit of branding from e, 900
to 10000.
John Bradley was another heavy loser.
and he had an experience with some Of
his cattle that he will never forget. One
night in January last 5000 of ! is
choicest which had been driven in close
to the headquarters of the ranch, where
there were between 800 and 900 bales of
hay stacked together in one huge pile,
and enclosed by high and strong board
fence, made wild stampede, and took
complete possession of the hay, During
the day they were given a small quantity
of it, the idea being to keep them from
utter starvation and make the hay last as
long as possible, Men armed with sticks
and ptchforlls were stationed alongside
of the fence to more completely guard
the prOvender, it being anticipated that
in their hunger the animals would make
an onslaught on the fence to get at the
coveted food.
Dark came on, and it was bitter cold
The night was clear and the snow deep
on the ground, and ever and anon sharp,
piercing winds would mercilessly lash
the poor dumb beasts, vino in solid pbal-
anx on all four sides of the fenced hay
stood short distance away, shiveriug in
their plight, looking at the hay aud
watching the men on guard.
Two hours before midn ght the wind
increased in fury. 1t became hurri-
cane, with the thermometer below zero.
The men on guard in their buldlcs Of
clothes were painfully cold the cattle
presented a grim aspect in one great
shivering mass, surging to and fro, rest
less with pain and hunger, but with their
eyes still fixed on the big pile of hay.
The Testlessness increased, the sway
ing movement of the big mass became
more noticeable, The cattle in the rear.
In vain attempt to get away from the
cruel wind, struggled wildly, rushing for
ward and fighting to GUST those in front.
until the whole herd took alarm and be-
gan moving toward the hay. Suddenly
with one accord they beloved loud anC
long, as il instinct told them death wa.
near, and then in mad career rushed
blindly and furiously toward The fence
The guards. having no avenue az es