Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1894-08-14

Drlvss and Desperate Battlss-How the
Corral wns Made.
The southern portion Of the great San
Joaquin valley was oveFrun in the early
days by q species Of wild horse known
IS the mustang, or Mexican wild horse.
They were to DO seen IN drovea, not in
frequently numbering several hundred
each. They were too small, "weedy"
and generally worthless for the most
part 20 be Of any value 10 the settlers.
On the coRtrary, they existed Ia such
numbers as to constitute IN annoyance
and injury to the settlers engaged IN
agriculture. IN 9 single night a band
Of Wild hor5es would sweep down upon
the cultivated felds and literally destroy
the crops which il 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 dread
ed. Moreover, whenever = band OF wild
horses came down into the settlements,
they would lure away with them the
domestic horses, leaving the settlers
helpless.
These d~epredations were so frequent
that, as a matter Of self protection, the
pioneer farmers and stookmen Of these
valleys were compelled to take active
measures. They would inauguraAe large
hunting parties, or drives, T" in order
the better[and more effectually to exter-
inmate these animals.
The early methods used In this ooun-
try. In hunting the wild horse were pc
Culiar. When q hunt had been deter
mined upon and a favorable locality Sc
lected, the hunters would erect two lines
Of fence, starting them about four feet
apart and continuing parallel for some
distance, then diverging until the ter
minals were several hundred yards
apart. These fences were strong and
high enough at the apex Of the triangle
10 securely restrain the wild horses from
breaking them down when crowded into
the Enclosure. The fence complsted, the
hunters, all we'll 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 the drive"
was decided upon. One of the party
started out on the trail of the band Of
wild horses, close enough to keep them
constantly moving. This did not re-
quire as much exertion as might be sop
posed, as the wild animals would dash
of at full speed, but would seldom IN
tinue any great distance in a straight
line, usually turning and circling 90
that the driver could, by "cutting
the angles" keep the band moving
without having to travel half the dis
tance covered by the wild horses.
In two hours or so the first driver
would be relieved by a fresh man and
horse, tho whole party thus taking turns
at keeping the wild horses on the move.
The main object was to 30 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 t~ireless pursuer hanging
on their trail. Turn which way they
would, be their pace swift or slow, the
solitary horseman ever followed them
as 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 would be
kept on duty for short intervals, so that
they might press the now jaded wild
animals. All of the pursuers would
now assemble, and one after another
turn the flight Of the wild animals until
they would have them running in q cir
Gle, the pursuers taking stations at reg
ular distances. Then began the final
roundup" One man would dash aft
or the band and chase them 70 his e
est companion in that direction, when
that man would drive them as rapidly
Is possible to the next, and so on around
tho circle, each driver having q shorter
and still shorter defiance to ride, until
the band had completed the entire cir
tcle. Steadily the circles were lesseRed,
and the horses were worked toward the
open space between the outer lines Of
the corral.
II there were any choice animals Ia
the band and any one desired 70 capture
them, this would be his opportunity. II
was the most interesting period Of the
drive. The striking, kicking, rearing,
plunging, ~squealing and biting Of the
Wild horse when first laasoed are dc.
scribed by those who have witnessed
such scenes as most exciting. After one
lasso had been successfully cast a sec.
ond Is thrown about the neck Of the ami.
NAL, and the lassos were then drawn IL
opposite directions, holding the atrug'
Cling captive securely between lie two
captora. By this means II would b
finally forced into submission.
This work completed, the band would
be rapidly forced into the Enclosure, th'
drivers closing up the rear and urging
the wearied animals into the corral IN
til they were crowded compactly 70
gether, with no hope Of escape excepI
through the narrow lane, where certain
death awaited them. Men armed will
strong spears stood on each side Of thil
narrow opening, and as the animal
were crowded through It received 70
coup dc grace.
The conditions Of tho country havI
changed vastly. The antelope and tn
elk have gone, tho wild cattle have beer
n forced into the mountains, and only
few Of them remain even there. Thi
Is also trle Of the wild horse. The wil'
horse, however, is not as yet wholly OK
tinct In California. Those now found
In this state are, 30 far rs l have beol
able TO learn, confined to the regions Of
Mount Whitney and Mount William
son.-San Francisco Chronicio.
CnsaDaetad N4ooA.
Poor Woman 20 cheap sofivsnor, WI
a Just read out 70 her the begging pe