The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-05-03
THE WILD MUSTANG.
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HE WAS
ONCE A TERRIBLE PEST.

Settlers Were Compelled to Take Active
Measures For Self Protection-ExCIting
Corral Was Made.
The southern portion of the great San
joaquin valley was overrun in the early
days by species of wild horse known
as the mustang, or Mexican wild horse
They were to be seen in droves, not in
frequently numbering several hundred
each. They were too small, "weedy"
and generally worthless for the most
part to be of any value to 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 wild 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 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 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 inaugurate large
hunting parties, or drives, in order
the better and more etfectually to exter-
inmate these animals.
The early methods used in this coun-
try in hunting the wild horse were pc
culiar. When hunt had been deter
mined upon and 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
to securely restrain the wild horses from
breaking them down when crowded into
| the Enclosure. The fence completed, the
hunters, all well mounted, would start
out to locate band of the troublesome
mustangs. When the objects of theil
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 then
constantly moving. This did not re
quire as much exertion as might be sup
posed as the wild animals would dasl
off at full speed, but would seldom con
tinue any great distance in a stralgh
line, usually turning and Circling 81
that the driver" could, by "cuttint
the angles" keep the band MOVING
without having to travel half the dis
lance covered by the wild horses.
In two hours or so the first "driver'
would 0e relieved by fresh man ant
horse the whole party thus taking turn
at keeping the wild horses on the move
The main object was to so fatigue tn
game as to wear out the animals, rem
dering their capture comparatively easy
Thus hour after hour the wild horse
would have a tireless pursuer hanging
on their trail. Turn which way the
would, be their pace swift or slow, tn
solitary horseman ever followed then
as faithfully as their shadows. Nigh
brought them no rest, as the drives
were made during the full of the moon
On the second day the drivers would b
kept on duty for short intervals, so tina
they might press the now jaded vii
animals. All of the pursuers woul
now assemble, and one after anOthe
turn the flight of the wild animals unit
they would have them running in Gil
Gle, the pursuers taking stations at reg
ular distances. Then began the tina
roundup" One man would dash aft
or the band and chase them to his neal
est companion in that direction, whe
that man would drive them as rapid
as possible to the next, and so on aroun
the circle, each driver having shorte
and still shorter distance to ride, unit
the band had completed the entire CT,
Gle. Steadily the circles were lessenet
and the horses were worked toward tn
open space between the outer lines
the corral.
If there were any choice animals
the band and any one desired to captul
them, this would be his opportunity.
was the most interesting period of tt
. drive. The striking, kicking, rearing
plunging, squealing and biting of tt
wild horse when first lassoed are d
scribed by those who have witnesst
such scenes as most exciting. After OIL
lasso had been successfully cast a sc
ond is thrown about the neck of the an
NAL, and the lassos were then drawn
opposite directions, holding the stru
Cling captive securely between its tv