THE TEXAS CATTLE TRADE. 349 
large loss of animals by thirst. It seems probable that the capacities of 
the system hitherto pursued are about exhausted, and that more careful 
and economical methods and more scientific principles must be intro- 
duced into the business to enable it to meet the growing demand upon 
it. The ideas of the present race of stock-raisers, it is charged, are 
ultra-conservative and hostile to the introduction of improvements; 
but the rapid extension of railroad facilities into Texas will enforee 
an entire reorganization of this industry. The great primary depot 
of the Texas cattle trade is now at the Abilene Station, on the Kan- 
sas River, one hundred and sixty miles west of the Missouri River, 
four huridred and forty from St. Louis, and six hundred and seventy 
from Chicago. The special advantages of this locality were found in its 
admirable tacilities for pasturing large herds of cattle beyond the set- 
tled portion of Kansas, upon a leading railroad route. The herds from 
Vexas, however carefully driven, must necessarily arrive, after a march 
of seven hundred miles, in a very impoverished condition, while very 
many herds are driven without intelligent regard to the condition of 
the animals. From six to nine months’ feeding in the genial climate, 
and abundant, well-watered pastures of this locality, where the plague 
of insects is unknown, is required $0 fit the stock for market. The ship- 
ments of cattle on the Kansas Pacific Railroad for the four years past 
are stated by Mr. A. Anderson, the general superintendent, in a letter 
to this Department dated December 17, 1870, as follows: In 1867, 
30,000 head ; 1868, 57,000; 1869, 47,000; 1870, 125,000. Of these aggre- 
gates he estimates that 97 to 98 per cent. were Texas cattle. The decline . 
of shipments in 1869, as compared with 1868, was due to the statute of 
Mlinois prohibiting the introduction of Texas cattle into that State 
during certain seasons of the year. The arrivals of cattle of all grades 
at the various stock-yards along the line of this road, during 1870, prob- 
ably amounted to about 150,000. 
The Union Pacific Railroad has made strong efforts to attract a por- 
tion of this trade by establishing at Schuyler, twenty-five miles west of 
Omaha, special facilities for the shipment of cattle, and by lowering the 
tariff of transportation charges. Notwithstanding the two hundred miles 
additional drive, as compared with Abilene, the business at this point has 
attained unexpected dimensions. Under date of December 16, 1870, Mr. 
T. E. Sickels, general superintendent Union Pacific Railroad, reports 
to this Department the shipment of 10,234 Texas cattle in 1870, besides 
9,110 western cattle. The total shipment of any previous year was less 
than 500. It is thought that the local demands of Nebraska, -lowa, 
Minnesota, and Dakota will greatly enlarge this trade. 
Baxter Springs, in Southeastern Kansas, on the Missouri River, Fort 
Seott and Gulf Railroad, promises to become a formidable rival to Abi- 
lene iu this Texas cattle trade. Mr. B.S. Henning, superintendent, under 
date of December 15, 1870, reports to this Department the shipment 
of 35,000 head subsequent to June 1, 1870, the date at which the read 
was opened to Baxter Springs. This point is located one hundred and 
fifty-nine miles from Kansas City, and four hundred and forty-one from 
St. Louis, by the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The extension of the At- 
lantic and Pacific Railroad, now completed to Pierce City, two hundred 
and ninety-one miles from St. Louis, and at no great distance from 
Baxter Springs, will soon open a much shorter route to this trafic. In 
fact, this latter route, according to the statement to this Department ot 
Mr. W. H. Paniarche, superintendent, dated December 16, 1870, gave 
transportation to 7,520 head of cattle in 1869, and to 40,960 head in 
1870, of which latter aggregate 20,000 were known as Texas and Indian 
