River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1894-04-12
THE WILD MUSTANG.


SAN joaquin NdiltN Was OFerfun IN the
Early days by species of wild horse
xnown as the mustang. or Mexican
wild horse. They were to be seen in
iroves, not infrequently numbering
several hundred each. They were too
small, ''weedy," and generally worth
less, for the most part, to Toe of any
value 10 the settlers. On the contrary.
they existed in such numbers as to
constitute an annoyance and injury To
the settlers engaged in agriculture.
In single night band of lid horses
would sweep down upon the cultivated
fields and literally destroy the crops
which it had taken months of hard
labor TO produce. The pioneers had
ample cause to wage war upon these
animals. They were undoubtedly a
pest and source of danger much TO be
dreaded. Moreover, whenever a band
of wild horses came down into the set
Elements they would lure away with
them the domestic horses, leaving the
settlers helpless.
These depredations were so frequent
that, as a matter of self-protection,
the pioneer farmers and stockmen of
these valleys were compelled to take
active measures. They would inaugu-
rate large hunting parties or drives"
in order the better and more effectual-
ly to eXterminate these animals
Last summer it was the good fortune
OF the writer to accompany party led
by Col. w. X. Shafter, of the regular
army. on trip to the secluded noun
tain district above the headwaters
of King and Kern rivers. Fortunately
for the success of the expedition J. IL.
Powers, a stockman, who for more than
forty years has lived at the ex-
treme upper portion of the valley of
the south fork of the Kern river, was
secured as guide. Ills ranch is the last
one on the way to the almost inacces-
sible region lying about Mount Whit
ney. Powers himself rode fine-looI-
ing horse that he had captured from a
band of wild animals in this region
only four years ago.
+ early methods used in this coun-
try in hunting the wild horse were
peculiar. When hunt had been de-
termined upon and favorab BILE locality
selected, the hunters would erect two
lines of fence, starting them about
four feet apart and continuing parallel
for some distance, then diverging until
the terminals were several hundred
yards apart. These fences were strong
and high enough at the apex of the
triangle to securely restrain the wild
horses from breaking them down when
crowded into the inclosure. The fence
completed. the hunters. all wei mount
ed would start out to locate band of
the troublesome mustangs.
When the objects of their search were
sighted the hunters grouped together
and the order of the drive" was de-
cided upon. One of the party started
out on the trail of the band of wild
horses close enough to keep them con-
stantly moving. This did not require
as much exertion as might be supposed.
as the wild animals would dash off at
full speed, but would seldom continue
any great distance in a straight line,
usually turning and circling so that
the driver could. by cutting the an
giles" keep the band moving without
having to travel half the distance COW
cred by the wild horses.
In two hours or so the first driver
would be relieved by a fresh man and
horse, the whole party thus taking
turns at keeping the wild horses on the
move. The main object was to so
fatigue the game as to wear out the
animals, rendering their capture COM
paratively easy.
Thus, hour after hour, the wild
horses would have a tireless pursuer
hanging on their trail Turn which
way they would, be their pace swift or
slow, the solitary horseman ever fol-
lowed them as faithfully as their
shadows. Night brought them no
rest, as the drives" were made dur
ing the full of the moon. On the sec
ond day the drivers would be kept on
duty for short intervals, so that they
might press the jaded wild animals.
All of the pursuers would now as
semble, and one after another turn
the fight of the wild animals until
they would have them running in a
circle, the pursuers taking stations at
regular distances. Then began the
final roundup" One man would
dash after the band and chase them TO
his nearest companion in that direc-
ton, when that man would drive them
as rapidly as possible to the next. and
so on around the circle. each driver
having shorter and still shorter dis
lance to ride until the band had com
pleted the entire circle. Steadily the
circles were lesened and the horses were
worked toward the open space be-
tween the outer lines of the corral
If there were any choice animals in
the band and anyone desired to cap
ture them this would be his opportuni
W. 1t was the most interesting period
of the drive" The striking, kicking
rearing, plunging, squealing and
biting of the wild horses when first
lassoed are described by those who
have witnessed such scenes as most ex-
citing. After one lasso had been sue.
cesafully cast a second is thrown about
the neck of the animal, and the lassos
were then drawn in opposite direc
tions, holding the struggling captive
securely between its two captors. BY
this means it would be finally forced
into submission.
This work completed. the band
would be rapidly forced into the in
closure. the drivers" closing mp the
rear and urging the wearied animals
into the corral until they were crowded
compactly together, with no hope of
escape except through the narrow lane,
where certain death awaited them.
Men armed with strong spears stood on
each side of this narrow opening, and
as the animals were crowded through
it they received their coup de grace. -
San Francisco Chronicle.
Greek Humor.