The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1907-03-28
CATTLE TRAIL FINDER.
JOSEPH G. mccoy REVOLUTION
lied METHODS.

Closed Now.
II am nearing threescore years anu
ten and soon will go over the long
trail" said Joseph Mccoy, the FOUND
er of the famous Texas-Kansas cattle
trails, as he sat on the porch OF MS
pleasant home here, writes the Wlchi-
ia (Kan.) correspondent OF the new
York Sun. 81 often thing over the ola
days-the greatest days the cattie
trade ever knew"
Mr.. Mccoy is vigorous and maze
even in his old age, and though not
now engaged in business expects 10
resume his work as cattle inspector
for the government in a few months.
1t is probable that no single agent
did more in a short time to revolution
| ize the cattle industry in the West
| than the Kansas and Texas cattle
trails. whose usefulness is now. ended
and which Mr.. Mccoy started in busi-
ness. The opening of Oklahoma and
| the building of Texas railways nave
put an end to a great industry ana
the last struggling herd has been driv'
en- from the Lone Star state to the
shipping stations in Kansas.
The long paths stretching over hill
! and valley, across rivers and through
/ prairie forests are crossed by barb
wire fences and railroad tracks and SO
closed forever. The man who origi-
mated them is a resident OF the newest
state, Oklahoma, and is giving his ex'
| perience in pioneering in upbuildlng
that promised land.
/ Joseph G. Mccoy was born in Hi
nois, and was one of three brothers,
all of adventurous spirit. In 1866, at
I the close of the war, he came West,
determined TO enter the business OF
cattle raising. At that time the Tex
as cattle had but two ways of getting
to market. One was via st. Louis,
then down the Mississippi or by rail-
road to New York; the other via New
| Orleans. Both drives were long and
dangerous because Of the warm re-
gions through which they extended.
Mccoy, upon reaching kansaa
noted that the Kansas Pacific Rail-
way, now the Union Pacific, was built
about half way across the state west
ward and decided to form cattle sta.
tion thereon.
He selected Abilene, a station 1G5
miles west of Kansas City, consisting
of a log house or two and saloon.
Making arrangements with the rail-
road company for the construction Of
yards, etc, he started OF alone across
southern Kansas into the Indian ter
ritory. stopping the long herds bound
eastward, and turning them 70 the
Kansas shipping point by telling them
of the rich pastures and excellent
shipping facilities.
The first herd sent northward be-
| longed to some CaGfornians; and it
was followed by several more that
! season, The long and expensive drive
through the Ozark mountain region
was gladly evaded and the promise OF
quick sales and big profits at the com.
paratively near point tempted the
cattle kings.
The disparity between the Texas
supply and the Northern prices was
equalized by the close connection, and
in 1867 $4,000 head of cattle sought
the new station. When several train.
loads Of the fat beeyes had been
shipped to Chicago in better condi-
ton than any had ever been received
before, special excursion train
brought a large company of stock
, men from Chicago and Springfield.
H.. to see the new shipping place,
| now grown to rambling village of
board shsnties and tents, apd known
as the wickedest city in the West.
But the surrounding country was
well watered and had plenty of nutri.
tious grass and the Inhabitants of
the town rather gloried in its title, a
designation which afterward Was ap-
piled TO Leadville and Dodge City. In
| 1858 there were 75,90e cattle shipped.
In 1868 the number increased to
10000 and In 1870 TO 100000. or
| percent OF all the cattle in Texas. Two
or three principal trails had been laid
out and were well worn by passing
hoofs
OF these the best known was the
Chisholm trail SO called after a part.
~ civilized Indian who first guided
herds along 1t, Then there was the
Shawnee trail, the favoite Of west.
ern Texas.
Leaving the Red river il ran east
ward. crossing the Arkansas river
near Fort Gibson; thence 1t followed
the Arkansas valley until IL came into
| L.