Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1894-06-05
~ SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ne WAS
ONCE a TERRIBLE PEST.

Settlers We're Compelled 20 Tnhc Active
Measures For SELF Observation-Disclosures
Drives aud Desperate natues-uuS She
Corral was Made.
The southern portion Of the great Son
joaquin valley was overrun IN the early
days by a species OK wild horse known
Hs the mustang, or Mexican wild horse.
They wero TO he seen in droves, not In
frequently numbering several hundred
each. They were too small, "wecdy"
aud generally worthless for the most
part 10 be Of any value TO tho settlers.
On tho contrary, they existed in such
numbers as TO constitute an annoyance
and injury to the settlers engaged in
agriculture. In n single night n band
of wild horses would sweep down upon
the cultivated felds and literally destroy
the crops which it had taken months Of
hard labor to produce. The pioneers
had ample cause TO wnge var upon these
animals. They were undoubtedly a pest
and source of danger much to be dread
ed. Moreover, whenever a band Of wild
horses came down into the settlements.
they would lure away with them the
domestic horses, leaving tho settlers
helpless.
Phese depredations we're 50 frequent
that. as n matter Of self protection, the
pioneer farmers and stockmen Of these
valleys were compelled to take active
measures. They would inaugurate large
hunting parties, or drives, " in order
the better and more ~effcctually to eTter-
inmate these animals.
The early methods used In this coun-
try IN hunting the wild horse were pc
culiar. When n hunt had been deter
mined upon and a favorable locality Sc
iected, the hunters would erect two lines
Of fence, starting them about four feet
apart and continuing parallel for some
distance, then divorging until the ter
minals were several hundred yards
apart. These fences we're strong and
high enough at the apex of the triangle
TO securely restrain tho wild horses from
breaking them down when crowded into
the inclosure. The fence completed, the
hunters, all well mounted, would start
out to locate a band Of the troublesome
mustangs. When the objects of their
search were sighted, the hunters grouped
together, and the order Of tho drive
was decided upon. One of the party
started out on tho trail oil tho band of
wild horses, close enough to keep them
constantly moving. This did not re-
quiro as much exertion 90 might besup-
posed, as the wild animals would dash
oil at full speed. but would seldom con-
tinue any great distance in a straight
line, usually turning and ciycling co
that tho driver" could, by cutting
the angles" keep the band moving
without having to travel half the dis
lance covered by the wild horses.
In two hours OF so the first driver"
would be relieved by a fresh man and
horse, the whole party thus waxing turns
at keeping the wild horses on the move.
The main object was to so fatigue the
game as to wear out the animals, rem
dering their capture comparatively easy
Thus hour after hour the wild horses
would have a ~tireless pursucr hanging
on their trail. Turn which way they
would, be their pace swift or slow, the
solitary horGeman ever followed them
ms faithfully as their shadows. Night
brought them no rest, as the 'drives''
were made during the full Of The moon.
On the second day the drivers woald be
kept on duty for short intervals, so that
they might press the now jaded Wild
animals. All OF the pursucrs wOuld
now assemble, and one after another
turn the flight Of tho wild animals until
they would have them running in a cir
clio, the puIsuers taking stations at reg.
ular distances. Then began tho lnel
roundup" One man would Gssh ait.
er the band and chase them 70 bis near
est companion in that direction, wher
that man would drive them as rapidly
as possible to the next, and so on around
l the circle, each driver having a shorter
and still shorter distance to ride, uuti
the band had completed the entire cir
Gle. Steadily the circles were lessened
and the horgcs were worked toward tn.
OPEN space between the outer lines o
the coFral.
If there vero any choice animals il
the band and any one desired to captur
them, this would be his opportunity.
was the most interesting period Of III
drive. The striking, kicking, rearing
plungiug, %squealing and biting of In
wild horse when first lassoed are dc
scribed by those who have witnesseI
I such scenes as most exciting. After on
Flasso had been successfully cast n sec
ond is thrown about the neck OF the AMI
NAL, and the lussos were then drawn /
opposite directions, holding tho strug
Cling captive securely between its tw
captors. BY this means it would /
finally forced into submission.
This work completed, the band woul
be rapidly forced into the Enclosure, n
drivers closing up the rear and urgin
the wearied animals into the corral M
til they were crowded compactly 4
gcther. with no hope Of escape eSceI
through the narrow lane, where certGi
death awaited them. Men armed Wit
strong spears stood on each side OF th.
narrow opening, and as tho ANNA.
were crowded through it received Il
comp de grace.
The conditions Of the country hay
changed vastly. The antelope and Il
elk have gone, the wild cattle have bee
forced into tho mountains and only
few OF them remain even there. Tn
~ also trle Of the wild horse. The wi
horse. however. is not as yet wholly e.
tinet go California. Those now fouu
IN thia state are, 80 far as ! have be'
able 20 learn. confined TO the regions
Mount Whitney aud Mount William
son.-San Francisco Chronicle.
Ehakespeare's Cats.
Shakespeare makes frequent rcfc