THE TEXAS OATTLE TRADE. 347 
brought with them their native breeds of cattle, which, under remarkably 
favorablis circumstances of climate and pasturage, amalgamated into a 
common stock, combining in a larger degree the better points of the 
constituent breeds. Up to the struggle for Texas independence the in- 
crease of these herds was remarkably rapid. In the disturbances and 
social dislocations which then ensued, the western portion of this cattle © 
region became almost depopulated, and the cattle, for lack of owners, 
relapsed into a state of wildness. Social order was not finally reéstab- 
lished till after the annexation of Texas to the United States, and the 
treaty of peace with Mexico, in 1848. The cattle-raising industry then 
revived. #Zbe wild herds were either reclaimed by their former owners 
or appropriated by others. Large numbers were driven to eastern 
markets, but enough remained to stock immense ranches, on which a 
class of men of enterprise and resolute character have since organized 
a very thrifty pastoral industry. During the late rebellion the Texas 
cattle regions were but very slightly devastated by the ravages of war, 
which, on the contrary, greatly enhanced their prosperity by increasing 
the price of Texas beet. Its very large production has of late been 
. rendered available tothe public interest through the various lines of the 
Pacifie Railroad system. 
in the coast regions of Texas are found cattle lords whose animated 
treasures surpass, in number and value, even the flocks and herds of 
the great man of Uz. The Santa Cabrutas ranch, on the Santa Ca- 
brutas River, owned by Colonel Richard King, embraces 84,152 acres 
of land, stocked with 65,000 cattle, 10,000 horses, 7,000 sheep, and 
8,000 goats. For the management of these immense herds, 500 Mexican 
herdsinen and 1,000 saddle-horses are held in constant requisition. 
Colonel Kifg each year brands 12,000 calves, and sells 10,000 fat cattle, 
constantiy investing the surplus proceeds in stock cattle. O’Conner’s 
ranch, twenty miles below Goliad, on the San Antonio River, in 1862 
contained over 40,000 cattle; during that year on this estate 12,000 
calves were branded, and $80,000 realized by the sal® of cattle. This 
enterprise was inaugurated ten years previously, with 1,500 cattle. The 
Rolideaux ranch, between the Nueces and Rio,Grande Rivers, owned 
by Mr. Kennedy, is a fertile peninsula of 142,840 acres, jutting 
out into the Gulf of Mexico, the isthmus being secured by thirty miles of 
plank fence, guarded, at intervals of three miles by herdsmen’s ranches, ° 
lt already contains 30,000 beef cattle, besides large numbers of other 
stock. Other magnificent cattle-herds might be enumerated. ~ 
The net increase of cattle in this region has been estimated as high 
as 25 per cent. per annum prior to the opening of the Texas cattle trade. 
Turning his animals loose to graze at will over a range of country often 
fifty miles square, covered with nutritious grasses, in a genial climate, 
in which sheiter is unnecessary, the Texas stock-raiser confines his care 
to the identification and marketing of his animals. YF or the former pur- 
pose the stockmen of the neighboring ranches assemble semi-annually 
in considerable force, to scour the country for the purpose of branding 
the calves} the ownership of which is determined by the brand borne 
by the cows they follow or suck. ai 
This stock business, which has thus grown up from small beginnings, 
now amounts to a magnificent industry, the product of which reaches 
our most distant markets. Its conditions, both economical and produc- 
tive, have been graduaily changing with the growth of our resources, 
For several years after the annexation of Texas to the United States, 
the domestic market ruled very low. Stock cattle brought not over $4 
or $5 per head, while beeves fattened for market did not command 
