Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-01-24

ern stockhand and the old timer as
there is between deckhand on
river boat and deep sea sailor.
\ The old time cowpuncher considered
teaming in any form beneath his
dignity. and would have viewed any
request to handle the lines much as a
present day plumber would regard the
suggestion Of having a shovel added
to his tool bag. For this reason IN
bygone days the roundup cook had 10
be an expert teamster; but. as IS 10
be expected, where such an Ynusual
combination Of talents Is requifed. that
member of outfits long suit was
seldom within the culinary depart
ment. While the old cowboys lot was
cast In more strenuous days than now.
still he, was more Independent and
enjoyed better opportunities of acquir'
ing his own herd. whereas the present
day puncher can hardly expect to at
tain anything beyond the status OF
foreman.
Practically all the cattle ranches OF
any consequence are now owned or
controlled by companies, or perhaps
trusts would be a better name.
( During the last ten years wages
have decreased for range work. and
with the decline in wages the work
has become more general. Nowadays
the cattle owners hire their regular
help by the season or the year. and
outside their work during the roundup
their dob and surroundings are
much the same as those Of the farm
er's hired man. The states of Montana
and Wyoming pay the highest wages
for range work, riders receiving $75
month and board. On the other side
OF the line wages are about 20 per
cent. lower for the same work. These
wages only obtain during the roundup
which time corresponds In the con-
duct of a cattle ranch to the harvest
season Of the grain farmer, and many
OF the punchers work for $40 month
and less for the rest Of the year.
There are two big roundups during
the year. the spring roundup and fall.
or beef, roundup. The spring roundup,
which takes place In May or June. is
perhaps the busiest time Of the year.
A foreman is chosen from each dis.
trict. Usually he Is the son or rela-
tive of the manager or owner of the
ranch he is attached to-. Each fore
man or captain brings a number of
cowboys with him, the number vary
ing according to the cattle his en-
ployer Is estimated to have running
range. The work is apportioned and
the helpers are under semi.military
organization Each puncher Is pro-
vfded with from five to eight ponies.
and the whole district, sometimes COW
ering hundreds of square miles. is laid
out In daily rides. AS a rule four to
five weeks are required to cover the
country.
The riders travel in pairs, as rule.
and much patience, coupled with keen
observation, is necessary If their work
is to be thorough; watercourses must
be followed, and the country carefully
searched for stragglers, some of which
occasionally turn up only after year
or two.
Daybreak finds a roundup camp
astir, and the saddle horses having
been corralled by the night wrangler,
whose duty it is to herd the work
ponies during the night. by so'clock
the riders have caught and saddled
their respective mounts and are away
chasing beef" In the first stages OF
the roundup they will probably not be
back, for Is or 16 hours.
The puncher must stand alike severe
heat and drenching rains when after
cattle, and this with no prospect OF
relief until the work of the roundup IS
completed. When all the cattle appar-
emily have been rounded up to COM
mon center an enumeration Is made,
beef stock selected and calves brand
ed. It might be mentioned here that
if during these expeditions the riders
come across any unbranded yearlings.
and there Is nothing to suggest what
outfit they originally belonged to. they