Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1910-01-06
THE GREAT ABILENE TRAIL
CONTINUED from page l2.)

stock market, no man OF sense and
Judgment, now for moment doubts
In the services of the census office.
came part of the writer's duty 70
in 1880 and again in 1890, It be-
gather and collate the statistics Of the
number Of head of livestock that had
been driven north on the Abilene
cattle trail during the twenty-one
years Of its use, and it was found that
1t aggregated fully 100000 head,
which valued at the over low esti-
mate of SIS per head would show
the enormous sum of $150,000, 900,
Few men other than the Oldest
pioneers, know that the Illinoisan,
who Is daily seen upon the streets
of wichita was the founder, and for
years stood at the head Of and gave to
Kansas SO vast a commerce.
Stated briefly, II may be asked
what are the results of his life's
work? The truthful answer would
be: He brought the stock ranches
of Texas up from valueless property
to be easily worth $50, 900. He
caused stockers and grazing cattle to
be put in the feed lots, and pastures
of the northwestern farmers at
prices their capital and credit would
afford He caused wholesome nour-
ishing beef to be placed daily upon
the tables of the laboring millions
of the East, instead of stew of the
cheapest cuts once week, as had
been the case for years, before he
wrought. And last but not least,
he created a depot of supply Of stock
or seed cattle from which were drawn
stocks of breeding cattle with which
the vast region Ger .trodden by tie
buffalo and wild man for centuries
to be made to contribute to the well
fare and comfort of the civilized hui
man race, bringing fortunes to thou
sands, and nourishing sustenance to
millions of Gods plain people,
Having SO lived and wrought, can
1t be said of him, that he has lived in
vain; can it be said Of him who lifted
thousands to fortune and comfort
and aided millions to secure more
| of the wholesome subsistence of life;
who gave great value to innumerable
herds, heretofore, valueless; who
brought the vast plains into rich pro-
ducing areas; contributing largely to
the enrichment of the northwestern
states, and aided intellectually to the
sum of human comfort and happiness,
that the world. at least large por-
ton thereof, has not been greatly
blessed beyond estimate by reason Of
his having lived and wrought?
| And though to him be given in his
declining years to walk the humble
paths of material poverty, as the re-
ward for his foresight, energy and ex-
ecutive daring-the usual portion re-
ceived by him who, as a pioneer or in
center of great ings-whilst others
of duler minds following in his foot
steps along paths he first marked out,
and with unfaltering faith trod, reap
fortunes rich reward. Many have
struck the vigorous blows, and endur-
ed hardship's rentless hand, that
their own fortune might be secured,
but who like the IlllnUisan laid his
private fortune upon the altar. giving
manhood's best years Of efforts, un-
| selfishly, that others might reap rich
/, rewards Of comfort and wealth.
i True it is that his life and labor
have not been wholly unrecognized
and unapprecfated. Five times he
received Commissions from the Treas
ury and Interior Departments Of the
Federal Government. Ir the elev-
enth census, he had charge Of the
enumeration Of livestock on ranges
in all territories and states Of the
United States, which at that time
1S90-comprised half of the area Of
the Union. His statistical reports
ion the livestock industry on the
plains, in this and former censuses,
served to /call capitals attention to
meat production in the grazing re-
gions; andthereafter 1t became a
widely recognized profitable field for
investment and fortune. For nearly
three decades he has been recognized
by the Interior Department, as an ex-
pert on matters pertaining to the
livestock industry on the ranges.
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