The herald., 1896-03-22

The OK IL still king in Arizona. Dur
ing the past few years the methods OF
cattle raising have materially changed
and the change has resulted in the
production of higher grade of beef
and in greater profit to the stock
men. Formerly the cattle were al
lowed tor ange over the hills and get fat
- best they could or were removed to
some other location there to fatten.
Since the introduction of alfalfa diff
ferent method is followed. After "A
season or two on the range the cattle
are rounded up and turned into the
rich alfalfa fields. 1t is estimated that
in the Salt River valley there are not
less than 10000 acres of alfalfa. The
green fields extend from Peoria fifteen
miles west of Phoenix to some
twenty-five or more miles east OF the
same point. When the 1900 acres of
orange orchards, most of which is yet
unproductive, is placed alongside OF
the alfalfa fields, it will be seen that
orange raising is as yet small indus
try in Arizona. Every year the ad-
vantages of the valley as cattle raising
district are becoming more fully known
and alfalfa in the stack or growing as
green feed has good market
value, and is always sale
able at profitable figures. The
market for Arizona meat is broad
ening, and as the good qualities of
slfalfa-fattened beef becomes better
known the demand increases. A few
years ago the east afforded the only
market, excepting very limited home
demand. 1t is claimed that for the
past three months Los Angeles has
drawn on Phoenix for her entire beef
supply. The railroad shipments show
that during last November less than
1000 head Of beeves we're shipped to
the City of the Angels, but during
February and March the output has
increased to $500 head a month. Re-
duced to other figures this means that
Los Angeles during the months OF
February and March consumed about
three carloads day of Arizona beef.
Or in other figures, taking $625 as the
average value of carload, Los Angeles
during the months mentioned PAID
over to the cattle men of Phoenix the
neat sum of $l17, 800. As to how much
this same beef was worth when dis
tributed through the meat markets OF
the city, the housekeepers best know
but that is another story.
Seeing that Los Angeles has found a
new base of beef supply it is interest
ing to learn something of what has
brought this about. To do this it is
necessary to 60 somewhat into the his
tory of cattle raising as followed in
Arizona.
From 1880 to 1886 were the banner
years for the cattlemen. 1t was dur
ing these years that they became
known as "Kings," "Barons," "Knights
of the Lasso," etc. There was good
grounds for styling the big cattle
rancher az q sort of aristocracy, if the
rapid requirement of wealth creates
an aristocracy. These years were to
the cattle industry what the following
few years were to the hop raisers of
Northern California-whenh hops which
cost 10 cents q pound to raise found a
ready market at from $1.00 to 81 so a
pound. Up to '86-'87 the hills, valleys
and plains of Arizona grew wild grasses
luxuriantly. The cattle had more than
an abundance of feed and grew sleek
and fat and that with little or no care
on the part of the owner. Three-year-
old steers were worth from $50 to $40
each, and found ready market.
Whole herds of COWS, bulls, steers,
heifers and calves were sold in dro7e
at S35 a head. A herd of 1000 COWS,
and many ranohers had double that
number, would yield an income of
about $4,000 year.
The high prices and the enormous
profit in the business was the incentive
that set everyone to raising cattle. Not
only was this true in Arizona but in
Texas, Colorado, Montana. Kansas and
other states. With the conditions
which prevailed in other states this ar
ticle will not deal but, in general they
were the same. During 1884 and 1885
the cattlemen got taste of high prices
and refused TO cell at less than boom
prices. A few had the foresight to sell
ct the ruling prices, but for the most
part the owners reasoned that if cattle
would advance from $25 head to $50
and $45. the same conditions would
make the value $50 and $50. and there
fore held their cattle. Their herds in.
creased. not only by progeny, but by
large droves brought into the country
from other sections. By 1887 the ter
ritory was heavily overstocked and
then began the decline OF the cattle in
dustry of Arizona. An excessively
dry year followed, and the already
ove-stocked hills, valleys and plains
we're fed down to the very dust. There
was scramble to get the cattle out OF
the country. 1t WAS quite impossible
to get cars enough to meet the require
ments Of the shippers. Alfalfa fields
were almost unknown, hay was out OF
the question and cattle died by thou
sands from hunger and thirst. Great
droves we're started for Montana
Texas, California. or any section from
which came tidings of good feed. lr
most instances only remnant OF the
herd ever got to good feeding ground
1t is related that out Of one drove oi
1900 head less than50O ever reached
market. The others had all died be-
fore feed was found or we're too eX
hausted to survive. Two years more
OF drought followed and by 1890 but {
handful, comparatively, of Arizona!
once vast herds remained. Most o.
the cattlemen had either 'gone broke
or were so deeply involved as to havt
become discouraged.
John q. Dunbar, editor of the Ari
zons Gazette, relates an incident which
came under his observation and which
will illustrate the conditions prevail
ing from 1885 to 1891. He said, I"
know of one rancher who in 1885 hal
one of the best ranches in the territory
It WAS paid for and the rancher haC
some money in the bank, did not owe
dollar, was hard working man, gooc
manager, strictly temperate and was
considered one of the wealthy men G.
the territnrv He conld anv dav rou0C