Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-02-06
Texas Cattle Intsre.ts.
Special to the Gazette.

Special 10 the Gazette
AUSTIN, TEX, Feb. 5.-The value of the
livestock in Texas is estimated at $50. 000.-
COO. Over one hundred stock-raisers, rep
resenting that vast interest, spent three
days in convention this week for the pur-
pose of organizing an association that would
do something for the cattle and stockmen of
the state, who, from all accounts, have
been singularly remiss in looking after the
general good of the fraternity, and have
suffered greatly in consequence There
was great deal of talking and reading of
papers, and the work of the convention was
done by few, perhaps a half dozen, while
the great bulk of the delegates sat around,
listened and said "aye" when vote was
put. Every proposition placed before them
carried with sort of unanimity that in
dictated q feeling of hopeless resignation
such as a very sick man experiences when
the doctor of the SiInillia similhbuS per-
suasion offers pellet or two to be swal-
lowed. It won't do any harm, any way
This apathetic and even lethargic DISPOSE
ton was quite noticeable among the dele
gates who appeared lacking in esprit do
corps, or wanting hope in the project under
consideration. ConverSing with several of
them, 1 learned that they were
inclined to look on the dark side
of things, to cast doubtful horoscopes,
and to question the ultimate good resulting
1EOlH d COulpdCG anu CASCl1NS
There was not, nor can there be, any good
reason for such gloomy thoughts. The
hardship and impediments under which
they labor, and of which they complain, are
very largely the result of their own neglect
and do-nothing policy. The papers read
made this clear enough for Il child to under
stand. They seem to regard the quarantine
regulations in the North as insuperable,
and many, perhaps the majority, disbe-
lieved the governments theory of the ORR
gin of splenic fever.
The idea uppermost with many of them
was that their only hope for future pros
perity lay In the establishment of pack
cries and refrigerating houses in Texas
large enough to handle the cattle raised
here. They consider that they are prac-
tically shut out of the Northern market, so
far as profits go, by the quarantine imped
iments thrown in their way.
They think that if they can have their
cattle turned into beef somewhere on the
gulf coast they can reach the Eastern sea-
board market with it much cheaper than by
rail overland via Chicago or St. Louis, and
can market big share of it in Europe for
the same reason. One large ranchman told
me that he had assurances from an English
house that if Texas would send them beef
of the right sort, they would be glad to get
1t. This gentlemen said that if packeries
can be established on the gulf, the stock
men will rapidly get rid of long horns and
replace them with better breed of cattle.
They will no longer trust to grass, mesquite
and cactus, but will, as many of them are
now doing, raise hay, sorghum, corn and so
forth TO fatten their cattle for winter mar
ket Oil meal will serve as the best of fat
producing foods, and will contribute greatly
to the rearing of high grade Herefords and
Shorthorns. Most of the stockmen have
thoroughbred bulls and are getting rid of
their old long-horned cows. 1t became
clearly evident before the convention closed
that far more was expected from state pack
cries. especially such as may be established
at some deep water port on the gulf where
cheap water transportation could be had,
than from any other means or agency.
Doubtless it was this thought that induced
the seeming indifference to other matters
brought before the convention. 1t is quite
probable that when they shall have visited
Velasco next month and learned for them
selves that before long ocean steamers will
be able TO reach the wharves at that place,
they will decide to set up packing estab-
lishments there, and will themselves un-
dertake to make market for their cattle
at home, One of them said to me, 81 am
willing 10 subscribe stock to TIE amount of
one-tenth of all my cattle ipa packery on
the gulf" Others were3qually outspoken
and emphatic. ~ ]. f. o.