Coincident with the extension of beef production from east to 

 west was the expansion of the industry from the Mexican border 

 thru Texas and northward. Mexicans settling in Texas brought 

 with them large numbers of Mexican or Spanish cattle and made 

 ranching their leading occupation. The peculiar adaptation of the 

 vast prairies of western and northern Texas to cattle raising, be- 

 cause of their luxuriant mesquite and buffalo grass, abundant 

 streams, and mild climate, soon attracted large numbers of stock- 

 men from all parts of the United States; and by 1815 these early 

 stockmen were the leading ranchmen of this section. During the 

 next few decades and until the Civil War, the herds increased with 

 great rapidity ; but the outlet for cattle was restricted by the distance 

 from market and the lack of railroads. At this time they were 

 marketed principally in New Orleans, Mobile, and Mexico, while 

 smaller numbers were carried by boats to cities along the Mississippi 

 river. The latter trade was cut off by the Civil War, and this, to- 

 gether with the impoverished condition of the South, virtually de- 

 stroyed the market for Texas cattle. The industry was abandoned 

 to a large extent, and cattle became almost worthless, some chang- 

 ing hands at $i to $2 per head. There was no demand for many 

 that were offered, and some herds were abandoned on the range. 

 "As an evidence of the low value of cattle in Texas at this period, 

 it is recorded that a buyer went into a herd of 3500 steers and cut 

 out $600 at $6 a head, and 600 more at $3 a head." 1 



Statistics of cattle in the United States during the first two- 

 thirds of the century are almost entirely lacking, and such as are 

 available must be regarded as rough estimates. Consequently, it is 

 difficult to record the development of beef production during that 

 period further than to outline its general tendencies. 



RECENT DEVELOPMENT 



During the five-year period following the Civil War, several 

 significant factors combined to revolutionize the beef-cattle business 

 in the United States. Rapid increase in population and the devel- 

 opment of manufacturing industries in the East and North brought 

 about a new demand and a larger outlet for beef. Railroad exten- 

 sion thruout the Middle West made possible the establishment of 

 central markets which became accessible to beef -cattle producers at 

 long distances. 



In 1857 the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad was extended from 

 Cincinnati to St. Louis. Here it connected with the Missouri Pa- 

 cific, which was then under construction from St. Louis to Kansas 

 City. Altho this latter road was started soon after 1850, it was not 

 finished until 1865. At the same time the completion of the Han- 

 nibal and St. Joseph between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers 



IB. O. Cowan, Breeder's Gazette, Jan. 22, 1913, p. 193. 



