The times., 1900-03-18
THE AUTOMOBILE IN THE WILDs
A Puzzle to Cowboys in the Region
of Ranches.

AUSTIN. Tex. March lit is predicted
that The automobile will come into prac-
teal use on many Texas ranches within the
next few years. John G. Kennedy, proprie-
tor Of La PARA ranch. in Nueces county is
giving one of these vehicles a test and is
so far well pleased with the results. 1t is
Of the runabOut variety, but is much
stronger and more substantially construct
ed than the ordinary road vehicle. It is
run by gasoline motor
The day after its arrival Mr. Kennedy
and the foreman Of the ranch started out
to make a run to a distant part Of the
ranch. Their course was through large
pasture, in which about fifteen hundred
head Of cattle were grazing These cattle
had no fear of men on horseback but
when they caught sight Of the horseless
machine making toward them they stam-
peded and tore across the pasture in
solid body. When they reached the wire
fence or the opposite side Of the pasture
they went right through 81. Many Of them
were cut and injured by the barbed wires
Mr. Kennedy and he foreman returned TO
the ranch headquarters as fast as the auto
mobile could carry them and the whole
force Cf cowboys was ordered out to round
up the excited cattle and return them 10
the pasture The stampeded herd was
overabeu several miles away and. after
hard work was again placed in the pas
ture. This experience taught Mr. Kel.-
edy hat he must allow the cattle 10 be
come acquainted with the automobile ry
degrees. For several days he has been
running he vehicle about the place with
horses driven Immediately in front OF it.
The cattle are gradually becoming used 10
the conveyance.
Ever since the arrival of the automo-
bile the cowboys have had d strong desire
TO try their hand at roping cattle from it's
seat. Mr.. Kennedy was prevailed upon to
give them q trial at this sport and a num-
Der OF threeyeaT-Cld steers were turned
into large corra where the roping con
test was TO occur. John Fisher and Harry
ToWles, two Of the most expert ropers on
the ranch. were to have the first trial
Fisher was to run the vehicle. while
Towles was to do the roping Fisher re-
ceived careful instructions as to the man
agement Of the propelHng lever and brake.
When TOwles landed the rope over the
steers horns Fisher was to bring the au-
tomoblle 10 a quick stop. The horse end
OF the rope was to be thrown around the
front axle. The vehicle entered the corral
al ten mile clip and when the steers
saw it coming toward them they struck
for the far side of the enclosure at full
speed. The vehicle followed closely IN
inFlT wake ana NltH Illt animals saw lndt
they were about to be c0rnered they
turned tail and made a break to get by
the terrorizing object. Here was Towles
opportunity. He gave Fisher word to be
ready and then threw the rope al one Of
tho steers The coil settled down over
the animals horns and the horse end was
quickly wound around the front axle. The
vehicle however, was not brought to
standstill. but continued right on toward
the high fence that bounded the corral
Fisher was tugging desperately at the
throttle. but something was wrong with
the machinery and he could not stop the
vehicle. Towles grabbed hold OF the
steering lever and managed to turn the
thing just in time TO escape colliding with
the fence The wild automobile then
started toward the other side of the cor
raj dragging the rored steer in its wake
An exit was made from the corral by
careful steering and the wild automobile
started on trip across the big pasture.
As soon as the other cowboys who were
watching the reping proceedings under
stood what The trouble was about they
overlook the runaway and cut the rope TO
which the unfortunate steer was attached.
The two cowboys stuck manfully TO their
post and after the machine had run about
fifteen miles they managed TO get the pro-
pelllug lever working again and 1t was
brought TO a standstill. No further at
tennis viii be made to use the automo-
bile for roping cattle until the cowboys
undcrs tand better how 10 manage lt.