The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-10-01
The Worlds Largest Ranch.

In the Panhandle OF ICxas Is lOcat-
ed the largest ranch in the west and
also in the world 1t is known as the
"X. I. IT, The "Capitol Syndicate"
or "Farwell" ranch, and contains
over 100000 acres of land. It is
owned principally by ex-senator
Charles B. Farwell and his brother
John of Chicago, and was acquired by
them about sixteen years ago. At
chat time the people of Texas needed
and desired capitol building, but no
funds were obtainable with which to
erect one. There we're, however, i'm
mense tracts of unoccupied land in
the State and the Legislature offered
this one to anybody who would con-
struct the necessary building. Mr..
Farwell organized syndicate in Chi
cago and accepted the offer. Now
their fine granite capitol is the pride
of Texas citizens, and thousands Of
thoroughbred Hereford, Aberdeen,
what was formerly waste land.
The ranch lies in the stakcd plains.
Il has an altitude at its northern cS-
trcmity Of 400 feet and at the south
ern end Of 1900. It's greatest length
is 200 miles. It's average width is
about twenty-five miles. 1t is stu
atcd in the extreme northwestern cor
ner of Texas and covers all or por-
tion of nine diffcrcut counties. The
State Of Connecticut could not con-
tain it, and it would cover the States
of Rhode Island and Delaware COM
bined and then lap over on adjoining
States. Fifteen hundred miles Of
wire fence incloses the 5000 square
miles within its boundaries and separ-
ate the different divisions Of the tract.
The services Of head foreman, seven
assistant foremen, and about one hun
dred and twenty-five cowboys, are re-
quisite for the work upon it.
There are 800 wells upon the land,
and these, in addition to prairie lakes,
dry in rainless seasons, running
streams, and reservoirs built to con-
serve the surface water, afford drink
ing water for the stock. The wells
are from 100 to 500 feet in depth.
They are unaffected by drought and
have constant flow Of pure water.
Each we'll, when supplied with wind
mill and reserve tank, will furnish
water for 500 10 LOGO mead Of stock.
In the summer time, when there is
not sufficient wind sometimes to run
the windmill, a gasolenc engine is
used to run them.
There are only two towns unon the
ranch-Channing and Texline. The
main headquarters are at Claiming.
There daily record Of the rainfall,
temperature and snowfall is kept. a
telephone system connects the head
quarters with every division, and
stampede or anything that occurs out
of the ordinary routine is known at
headquarters as soon as it happens.
The top wire Of the fence is tele-
phone wire, insulated at the posts.
When gate is made in fence two
upright poles are placed on either
side Of it above the height Of load
Of hay or any tall object that might
pass through it and the wire is stretch
ed over these poles and down on the
other side Of the fence again. This
system Of telephoning is used on many
isolated ranches in the west, connect
ing them with other ranches and tho
nearest town. To keep this telephone
in working order man must keep his
fences in repair.
The soil is black, fertile loan and
is covered with buffalo, mesquite, and
other grasses which cure their stems
in the dry season and furnish pastur-
age both summer and winter. Cattle
from the ranch have taken many
prizes in stock expositions through.
out the country. Shipments are made
to Chicago, New York and Europe.
The herds have gradually been gu.
]arged and improved. Upon the small
ranches 80 TO 95 per cent. Of the calves
from the stock are branded each year,
but upon the large tracts not 80 great
percentage is obtained, as it is more
difficult to shelter and protect them.
The only loss is small per cent. by