The courier-index., 1919-09-05
Cause of Many Battles Between Rival Ranchers and
 With Outlaws.
MORE THAN 5000 IN TEXAS
scoss~ Thieves Use Ingenious Meehocs to Change Marks on Stolen An'- nale--Many Strange De
 vices Are Used.

 the cattle brands of Texas and the Southwest. Around them have cen tered many thrilling deeds, They have been the means of bringing swift retribution to host of outlaws; they have served as the basis for transac' tons involving the sale of many mii- lions of head of cattle.
 The records of the Texas Cattle Raisers' association show that there are more than 5000 registered brands in this state. No two brands are alike. Usually each brand represents sep srate ranch. It Is often the case tnat | ranch Is much better known by the brand of its cattle than by the name of the owner. Owners may change, but the brand never.
 When Hernando Cortez conquered Mexico in the early part of the six teenth century he established ranch upon the isthmus of Tehauntepec. The cattle bore his brand. Although that was nearly 400 years ago the cattle upon that ranch today bear the orig inal Cortez brand.
 Origin Lost In History.
 The origin of the cattle brand dates back to the dim dawn of history. In the days of free grass and open range the brand was an absolute necessity Tn order that the owners might identify their cattle in the annual round-ups. With the coming of wire fences this necessity was largely obviated. but the brand served still to place guilt upon cattle thieves, This purpose is still served and this fact accounts largely for the retention of the brands by all ef the ranchmen.
 Ingenious methods are sometimes used by cattle thieves to change exist fng brands upon stolen stocks. Most 0f the members of the Texas Ranger force are experts in the matter of de- tscting the disgusting or changing of brands. s
 The cattle brands of some ranches arc an intangible asset of great value TAeee brands have come to stand for honesty in breeding, honesty in weight end honesty in dealing. just as the Aeraldry of knighthood stood for hon CT, for bravery and for noble deeds And accomplishment. Announcement that cattle of a certain brand are of fered for sale Is often sufficient guar Anfee that no precautions against frapd of any kind are taken.
 Every Letter is Used.
 In the record of brands. every letter sf the alphabet is represented, anc most letters are found in three oi four positions. An exception is 70, which has but one shape, in any posi- ton, and therefore can he used only once. True, there is the 70" fiattenec at the sides, but 1t is then called { mashed "0," link or goose egg.
 IN" is another letter that is not sus ceptible of many positions, for hori xontally it is "Z." '1' is another letter with q limited use. It is seldom seer except in combination with other characters. and is usually called bar
 ''C'' and K" are examples of letters that are used in four positions. Fol example. an ordinary TX" makes ont position. Turn it to an angle of 4 degrees and you have the "tumblinl K"; on its back. horizontally, the 'lazl K" and reversed, a fourth position There are lazy and tumbling brands in all letters except 70" and "I."
 But when the cattle business be comes general and instead of 10' ranches there are thousands, new brands must be devised. The seeker for q brand naturally gets an insignis different from that of other ranchmer else the brand would fail of it's pur pose. So in the latter days the letters were finally all taken up and the neces sify for individual and unique brands has led to many a strange device.
 Many Novel Designs
 For example. there is the Spur ranch, the Turk Track" ranch, tn, "Tumbling K" of the Lazy X" Ever. ranch has its principal brand, an, some have many others. Ranch own CTS, who trade extensively. and an constantly acquiring cattle with differ eat brands. have number of insigniai en record. Often the ranchmen's son and daughters have their specia brands and the dedication of new brand is not an unusual form of cele brating birth on the range.
 Among the peculiar brands is pig gen, which means square with it sides extending to form the exterio angles. Crescents are common. 0nl, oae ranchman has a hatchet for 1, brand
 A bow and arrow gives a name f, one big Texas ranch. l.. J. KiInber lin's ranch had crutch on the hi and coffee pot on the side. Tn coffee pot design is not so intricate a one might imagine, consisting of onl eight lines.
 Wine glasses are not uncommon Q a brand and the J. " Friend Cattl company In CrOtchett county had