The Coolidge examiner., 1932-10-28

lE1g3&k%zNTl likely TO spell the doom of the
IK+a&S..Hll largest herd of buffalo I'm the
lEE&ENhN@Jl United States-more than 200
in number but only a pitiful
remnant OF the millions which had once roamed
the Great Plains. For the famous Goodnight
herd of buffalo in Texas had passed into other
hands and there were sensational rumors aloat
that the new owners were planning a "big game
hunt" where Eastern sportsmen (upon payment
of a big fee) would be allowed to enjoy the
thrills of an old-time buffalo chase.
Immediately storm of protest against the de-
structon of the Goodnight buffalo herd arose
among Texans and the legislature passed bill
authorizing the state game and fish commission
TO purchase the buffalo, provided suitable place
for keeping them could be obtained But no ap-
preparation was forthcoming for the project and
it was not until a syndicate headed by A. c..
Nicholson of Dallas, was formed to take over
the buffalo and a part OF the Goodnight estate
and to finance the project of maintaining the
herd intact that its preservation assured.
No finer monument could be erected to the
memory of Col. Charles Goodnight. 1.-The Father
of the Texas Panhandle and his WIFE Mary
Dyer Goodnight than the preservation of this
rearguard OF the Numbering herds Of long
ago. In fact, the existence of this particular
herd is due largely to the efforts OF Aunt
Mary" Goodnight, as she was lovingly known in
the Texas Panhandle Back in the late seventies
this pioneer woman, witnessing the ruthless
slaughter of the buffalo by hide hunters, real
lied that ii only question of time until
the great shaggy beasts would be extinct she
began talking to Uncle Charley" about captur-
ing few of the calves and starting herd of
their own.
So in June, 1879, Colonel Goodnight roped
two buffalo calves and gave them to his wife.
She was much interested in the little brown fel-
lows. greatly delighted at the alacrity with
which they learned to drink milk and was sur
prised at their appetites which seemed to be
Unsuitable, one of her pets requiring much
as three gallons a day. Two years later n neigh
boring ranchman captured two full-grown buff
falo and presented them to Mrs. Goodnight and
three calves were also added to her little group,
the present of her brother From this beginning
came the great herd of nearly go today. On the
game refuge" which the Goodnights established
their ranch were also started herds of elk
deer and antelope but they never thrived as
did the buffalo.
1t was on the Goodnight ranch also that
new animal was created-the catalo. produced by
crossing buffalo with Aberdeen Angus cattle.
This hybrid, according to Colonel Goodnight.
was harder than range cattle, thrived on less
food. immune from all disease, did not
stampede so easily nor drift with storms and
valuable type of beef animal for the plains He
found enthusiastic disciple i'm the work in
the person OF the late buffalo Jones and at
time It seemed likely that their expert
ments in producing the catalo might have a
revolutionary effect upon The cattle industry
of this country.
Although Texas claims Col Charles Good
night as one of her greatest men, he was
native of another state. Illinois. lie was born
there March 3. 1896 just three days after Texas
declared her independence from Mexico so his
history paralleed her history His parents
moved to Texas in 1S45. the year Texas entered
the Union, and young Goodnight grew up as
pioneer of the Lone Star state with its hard
ships a part of his everyday. life
BY the time he nineteen ne decided that
he knew Texas pretty well and about ready
to move farther west to n newer country
California. With young companion. and an
OK team and few horses they started on the
long trek west But by the time they had gone
a few hundred miles into West Texas they de-
cided that the state was large enough for them
So Goodnight went back to Palo Pinto county
where he ranched and supported his widowed
mother During the Civil war he served with
the Texas Rangers, fighting mostly Indians
MexicanS and cattle thieves
After the war; there cattle market
The plains swarmed with herds and cattle
could be bought credit. Goodnight saw the
necessity of finding a western market. So
did others, but the young plainsman,
then thirty differed from the rest in that he de-
termined to find It, There was already one I'D
at Abilene, Kan, where many of the cattle