Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1912-03-01

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 a COM
mon center an enumeration is made,
beef stock selected and calves brand
ed. 1t 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
lose no time in branding them with
tnelr own outfits brand, using run
ming iron" which they carry for the
purpose.
The herd being now punched up.
fires are lighted and the "hempen
rifles are uncoiled. Calves are roped
and dragged to the branding fires,
where couple of men on foot grab
and hold the calf. clearing the lariat
SO that the rider may be free to fetch
another one. They then apply the
heated irons for two or three seconds.
The branding completed, they admin.
lister gentle kick to the bewildered
calf to remind him he is free, and
they are ready for the next. This
goes on until all the calves and yearl-
ings have been branded.
The climatic and physical conditions
or the. country seem to have quite an
effect on the cattle running wild.
Their breeding propensities vary ac.
cording to the country.
Each member Of herd seems to
know Its place, and prefers its own to
any other herd, but like all other rules
this one is proved by exceptions, and
sometimes In a large herd calves will
get mixed up and separated from their
mothers, and in such cases disputes
VIII arise as to the ownership of the
calves. If not satisfactorily settled
otherwise. the calf in dispute is taken
to the fire and the branding irons ap.
pied with not sufficient pressure, how.
ever, to make a permanent mark. but
sufficiently to burn the calf and make
1t cry out. In moment there is an
answering below from one of the
herds. followed by stir among the
cattle. who seem almost to make a
gangway for the concerned mother as
she rushes to answer the call of her
calf. A rope is shot around her hind
legs as she leaves the fringe of the
herd, allowing her no chance to make
any serious objections, her brand is
observed and the calf branded accord
ingly Justice is served. The COW and
calf are turned loose again, and It is
a fine sight to watch them 'beat 1t"
together for the herd.
The branding done and stock taking
finished, the beef ready for shipping is
driven to the home range to await
actual shipment, and the remainder of
the cattle are once more free to wan.
der the hills and plains until the fall.
when the big drive will take place.
The rounding up Of cattle is some
times difficult, as they unlike horses.
frequently take notion to split up in
punches and head off in all directions.
making much work for the riders.
The kind Of COW puncher we read
about, who was as indelibly marked
with the Dhysical charo ~ ari,tt.s -
his calling as were the cattle he herd.
ed with the brand Of their owners.
has given way to the less hardy and
picturesque cowboy or stockhand of
today. who may be beating a train to.
morrow or driving team in the city.