Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-09-20
Surrounded by Large Herds OF Cat
tie - Travellers Entertained In
Princely Style by Squatters Men
who Raise Sheep in Flocks OF
Over One Hundred Thousand
Have Grounds Larger Than
States.

pastoral use by the head or manage
ment, comprises the station" and yet
the idea conveyed in the word Station"
is the central point or what may be re-
garded as the capital.
The stations" in Australia are as
large as the municipalities of the middle
ages, or as many modern dukedoms. l
incline to think that ten of the largest
Australian stations, If united would
equal the whole CT Belgium.
One James Tyson has about 1000, 600
acres or a territory nearly as large as
three States like Rhode Island, one and
one-half OF Vermont, or one-seven-
teenth the size of Iowa. He has nearly
1 900 600 sheep or the equivalent in cat-
tie. Mr.. McCaughey has one station OF
1.214,S77 acres, with some 100000 sheep.
James Wilson has 100000 acres, or just
/ 900 square miles, in one station, and
over 400. 900 sheep. l have a friend in
the interior. whom l visited recently,
who has 100000 acres and 100000 sheep
One can drive 100 miles on straight
line on his estate. OF this 100000 acres
70 900 are freehold and the rest is leased
from the government of New South
Wales on long time, for definite an
nual rental. 1 have another friend, d
member of the New South Wa.es Far
lament who holds 100000 acres IN
Queensland. on long lease, at an annual
rental of one farthing, or One-half cent
Der acre. Recently the government
sunk an artesian well on this land that
flows 100000 gallons per day. accord
ing TO newspaper reports. Most OF I'LL"
stationI am informed, is good land.
All these stations, like the petty duke
doms of Europe, are named, ana the
names. when pronounceable, are not
easily forgotten. But their names serve
a better purpose than mere ornament
AS there is a considerable difference
in altitude, latitude, soil, vegetation
breed or care Of sheep, there is a very
noticeable difference in the wool, ana
| the reputation of the station mas no III
| tie influence on the price OF the re-
spective clips. In the English trade re-
views, or prices current, the names OF
the stations of Australia become as
| familiar 10 a large business class as are
the names of the nations of the globe
| 10 the average educated man.
The area of McCaughey's estates, as
| described by writer in the Oregonion'
almost equals the area OF Connecticut,
or nearly one-half the area OF Belgium,
the latter. of which supports a popula-
ton of over 6.000,00 highly civilized
| and we'll provided for people. But the
report says-and truthfully-that Mr..
,McCaughey "sheared 100000 sheep,
though the same season he lost 100000
head" AS the drought came early,
most Of these sheep must have persisted
! before shearing, SO the normal number
of sheep kept by this modest grazien"
must be fully 100000. Thus, about as
many sheep are kept in either of the
great wool-raising" States OF Pennsyl-
vania, New York kentucky, or Colo
RADIO. and the number OF MIR. Nc
Caughey's sheep is exceeded by but seven
States in the Union. The whole of Yer
mont, whence came Mr.. McCaughey's
fine merinos, has not more than one
third as many sheep as this sheep king
Of Australia.
In Australia the stations, or sheep
runs, or the land of which they are
called "squattages," and the owner or
master is called "squatter."
There are many interesting features
and ever varying charms connected with
these squatters' lives. OF course. with
SUCH enormous holdings the Cottages"
or managerial residences are far apart,
usually from ten to fifty miles. These
cottages are almost always large, low
buildings, of but one story, with several
good-sized rooms, with broad verandas
on two or three sides, and they are
rooted with corrugated or galvanized
iron. Save during the excessive heat
of midsummer December. January and
February. these homes are models Of
comfort and ease.
In all save the barbarism OF the
armed retainers and symbols of warfare,
these station homes resemble the baron
ial retirement luxury and self-satisfac-
tion of the old feudal ages No princeev-
or offered more generous and splendid
hosDitality TO friends OF equal position
IMAM these squatters offer to the in
telligent and worthy traveller, or TO
their invited or accepted guests. They
do not live like farmers, even OF the
most wealthy class, but like princes.
The family is surrounded with troops
of servants, governesses, companions
and visitors. The Social set is as
scrupulously organized among many Of
the world holders" as among the most
fastidious snobs Of Europe and America,
the "shopkeeper' means all re-
tail dealers-tradesme and the COM
mon herd being given the cold shoulder,
or the tip of the fingers. AS entertain
ers. these squatters are lavish in ex-
pense and scrupulOus in forms and cere-
monies.
What would the wealthy farmer think
TO drive up to cheap looking habitation
twenty miles from nowhere and If en-
tertained for the night. he should see the
ladies at dinner in full evening dress-low
neck. very low-and the gentlemen with
swallow-tailed coats. expansive shirt
bosoms and white chokers," with the
walters and hunkeys In the toggery of the
evening lackey at q Washington beer gar
den?
At these luxurious homes there Is the
best of everything" not only of solids.
but of fluids as well. No table is complete
without wine. whisky. ale and other tasty
beverages. But OF late years many Of
these earstwhile princely squatters have
become managers" as the banks have
closed the old order OF things, and II
should venture TO suggest that in no small
number Of failures this style" waste and
extrayagance had been potent factor,