Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-12-29
ABILEHEs sEvRRssT STORM.
when Cattle Died by Thousands and
Losses Were Terrific.

DUOttuu VVuA AuOW-suV OsvAus s~~s
ended the cattle trail business and
ruined many cattle owner. 1t was
in the winter OF 1912 and the fourth
year OF the Texas cattle trade. Each
year. beginning with 1867, when J.
G. Mccoy first opened the old trail
from Texas, to meet the Kansas
Pacific at this point, the number OF
Longhorns increased. In 1867 about
1000 head, or l per cent Of the num-
Der In. Texas, came over the trail.
The following year there were $4,000
head and in 1869 fully 100000. This
was again doubled and it was esti-
mated that 600, 900 head we're brought
to this section in the next season.
OF these 5000 head were uusold
when fall came aud the owners were
compelled to keep them through the
winter. In telling Of the condition,
Mr.. Mccoy says in a personal nara
tive:
"For miles north, south and west
Of Abilene you could scarce be out Of
sight Of o herd, and when on any com.
mandiug hillock as many as $4,000
to $4,000 head could be seen grazing
over the prairie. The season was
stormy and wet one and the cattle
stsmpeded. The grass was coarse,
wsshy and spongy and would not
make tallow. The railroads had ad-
justed their difficulties, and the cut
rate that had been responsible for the
large shipments early in the season,
were of. They had agreed on q high
freight tariff from Chicago east, and
there seemed to be an entirely differ
emit feeling regarding cattle, o reversal
Of the situation Of the previous year.
There were only q few buyers, and
the cattle daily grew poorer In flesh
instead Of fatter. So when any were
put on the eastern market they
brought low prices and weighed light.
thus discouraging further shipments.
A great number Of the herds were
held until late in the fall, hoping that
the market would improve, but IS
the days went by there was little bet
ter demand. Multiplied thousands
we're sent forward. In consequence
the markets were over.supplied. many
shippers met ruin, and financial
crashes among them were frequent.
Finally, shipping had to be abandoned
and other sources Of disposal looked
to as an outlet for the over.burdened
cattle owners who had come from
Texas with their herds.
ut was estimated that 800, 900
went into winter quarters on the
drovers' own account. OF course no
amount Of grass or hay could be So
cured for any such number and most
Of them were driven west to feed ON
buffalo grass. But many remained
and the feeders tried to utilize the
blue.stem. But the tall blue.stem
was swept day after day BY the
prairie fires. and the ground left
blackened and bare Of all sustenance
for the herds. The cattle which had
been, 10 most instances, held on the
dried grasses, hoping to find 9 pur'
chaser, had become poor In flesh and
weak from starvation. Finally when
they were taken to the buffalo grass
regions they were in very bad condi'
ton for open air wintering.
1.-THE buffalo grass 10 30 short that
| prairie fires make but slow progress
consuming It and are easily sxtin'
guished. Before the herds had scarce
Arrived ct their winter feeding ground,
early 10 November, agreat rain storm
swept over western Kansas, and 9
keen cold wind set up from the north
west, freezing the water soon after 1t
reached the ground. The surface Of
the earth became cased with q mix
ture Of snow and Ice to thickness
Of two to three inches, covering the
short buffalo grass with coating that
could not be broken. Then the furious
gale increased and continued with
sweeping force. Three days and
nights the sleet and snow fell. Many
lmeu and horses froze to death. The
cattle persisted BY tens Of Thousands.
THAI rifted bafore the storm, Whore