The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-03-29
SINGING TO CATTLE
Effect Of Human Voice Is Sooth.
ing, Says RanChman.
"Chspo" 5edecked Puncher Of oIden
Days Has Passed With the "Gun-
man." Declares W.. II. Gray,
Texas Veteran.

st. Louis, Mo.-"Singing cattle to
sleep at a roundup Is not an uncoln-
mon occurrence" said W. II. Gray.
civil war veteran, real estate dealer
n owner OF a cattle ranch seventeen
miles west OF Amarillo, Tex, to a
group OF friends on his return recent.
ly from the Lone Star state.
We have a round up on my ranch
about twice a year. The cattle do not
see a human being for perhaps
months at a time, and as a result are
pretty Wild" continued Mr.. Gray
The cowboys form a large circle and
gradually begin to drive the cattle in.
When the different herds are driven
into n large circle the work of
branding begins,
"A roundup, however, sometimes
lasts for two weeks or more, and the
task Of keeping the cattle together is
not an easy one. At night they be.
come restless and # they are allowed
to move too much a stampede is
likely.
The method Of keeping the cattle
quiet was discovered In a unique way
several years ago. During one of the
round-ups the cattle we're more than
ordinarily restless. A large force of
cowboys were kept guarding the cir
Gle despite the fact that they had all
helped with the branding during the
day. The next day the work was not
done half 80 well because Of the loss
Of sleep from which the men suffered.
That evening one of the cowboys
who had been with us only q few
months and who had come from the
east rode out and began to circle the
cattle. The other men we're eating
supper, and, being lonesome. the east.
n began singing a melodious tune.
After a few minutes a COW droTpci
down on her side to sleep. followed by
her calf. One by one the others pre-
pared to rest for the night, and within
q half hour there was no possibility
of a stampede and no need OF a heavy
guard. The other cowboys finished
their supper and, mounting their
horses, went out to begin the tedious
task of watching the cattle. When
they arrived they saw that most OF
the cattle were lying down, 80 they
withdrew a few yards to watch the
animals and their partner, who was
still riding around the circle singing.
when told later on of the feat he
had accomplished the cowboy was an.
CRY, believing that he was being
joshed,' but loon he was convinced
there was no Joke, and now instead Of
throwing a heavy guard around the
cattle one of the men simply rides
around for about Lalf an hour and
sings and the cattle go to sleep,
Friends living In eastern states
and in England who have never visit
ed a ranch often have asked m about
the mode OF the cowboys dress. The
fringed chaps are not worn In Texas
as a usual thing. The romantic-look-
ing cowboy with the white or black
hairy chaps a long, dangerouslook-
ing dagger and a large calIber revolv-
er stuck in his belt Is a thing Of the
past. He has passed with the gun
man. 1t Is against the law in Texas
for any one to have any kind Of 1 re.
vclver or concealed weapon on his
person, In his belt or In a bolster at
tached to his saddle. It ia also con
trary to Texas laws to carry a knife
more than six inches long. The laws
pertaining to the sale Of intoxicating
liquors also are strict. so that now
Texas Is Just as civilized az any other
state"