Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-06-14
oLD-rlME MEXICAN RoDEo.
Cattle Round-Ups Still to BE Seen ON
Southern California Ranches.

j e
Cattle Round-Ups still to BE Seen ON
Southern California Ranches.
An old-time Mexican rodeo, or round
up, of cattle is still to be seen in the
i distinotively Mexican settlements Of
Southern California, says the Philadel-
phia Times, but, Of course, on not so
grand scale as in the primitive days
when the ranches were much more ex-
tensive than they are now. The rodeo
is held in the spring Of the year for
the purpose of branding and claiming
the calves of the season, selecting beef
cattle for the market and that each
neighboring rancher may select his own
and drive him home. The San Juan
Capistrano Valley is the most distinct
lively Mexican settlement in Southern
California. Here they most rigidly adj
here to the customs of the days "be-
| fore the Americanos came" and here
may he seen AIexicans, Indians, Amer
leans and mestizos (nongrels) all dwell
ing in unity. Each rancher has hero
or estate mark" commonly called a
brand" The rodeo usually lasts a
week, sometimes much longer. 1t be-
gins at stated ranch and is continued
throughout the cattle district until each
ranch has had it's rodeo-the word
properly meaning ''the place where cat
tie are gathered" 1t is something on
the style of progressive euchre party
in its nomadic rounds. For example,
the 'jueces del campo decides that the
rodoe shall begin at the ranch of Senior
Avila, and then he designates each sue
ceeding ranch in the district, ending
with that of Senior Arrillaga, where the
final fandango takes place. Each ranch
has corral, located on plain, from
100 to 200 feet square, formed by driv-
ing timbers in the earth, standing close
ly together, leaving them six OF eight
feet in height, just beyond the jumping
powers of the cattle. The vaqueros
who have been out herding the cattle
drive them to the corral, where they
enter q gate at one corner, anu when
all have passed in the gate is closed
leaving only small opening for one tc
pass out at time. In order to induce
i, the cattle to enter one of them has
been lassoed and tied to a stake in the
center of the corral, as if he were to be
offered up as sacrifice. In a shor1
time he begins to paw and below, anC
the herd rush in to see what is the mat
ter.
When grown cattle are to be branded
they must first be Assoed. They are
stampeded; the herdsmen start in tul
chase, yelling as if chasing Indians
One of them throws the lasso over thu
horns, others at the feet, and at {
signal cry each stops his horse short
bracing himself backward, and in {
moment the loop becomes taut and thu
animal is ensnared. The horses flank:
are protected from the cattle by leath
ern armor. The herdsmen have thicl
wooden stirrups and ]eathern armor fol
, the legs The lasso is made firm to :
ring in the saddle girth, and after hav
ing thrown it the rider has only t.
: keep his seat. After each vaquero ha
'weeded" out his cattle they are driver
t to that particular ranch, and on tn
morrow the same ceremony is gon'
: through with at the next ranch, and *
/, on throughout the cattle circuit.
At the conclusion of each days rodet
: and slaughter there is a big feed"
long table runs the entire length of ,At
adobe building, containing the hotties
of Mexican dishes (Chili pepper being
the predcminating favor and variety
e of native Wines distilled on the prem
Uses and mellowed by acquire as thu
grape Juice can make it. 1t is noticeable
to the Amer;canos that condiments art
l not to be found on the Mexican tables
The dishes are seasoned by the culinary
, artist, and it is considered reflection
upon his ability to add seasoning to {
dish. But these dishes are invariably
hot enough for the Americanos These
t rodeos are usually feasts-every one il
: the neighborhood attending and many
, of them make the circuit. The senior o:
the ranch entertains all who come
and, of course, without charge. There
, are twenty or thirty herdsmen, each will
, three or four horses and the proprietor
of each ranch in the district, with hi!
!. sons and perhaps their friends. In the
Late afternoon the young senors anC
senoritas begin to flock in. Thore j:
, to be a fandango-a free-for-all dance
They have an opportunity to dance
their national cachuca and La Jota t.
the sweet tones Of the violin, guitar
and harp. And thus ends the days
, | roundup.