"WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 919 



sheep has been compiled for the report of Internal Commerce by Hon. 

 T. B. Mills, of Las Vegas, the United States Treasury expert, as fol- 

 lows: 



Sheep were Ijrought into the Territory from the southern Mexican States in the 

 early settlement, and after the Indian rebellion in 1860 and the resettlement of the 

 country, sheep raising became the leading industry. The breed, which was likely 

 originally Merino from Spain, degenerated by inattention to a very inferior class as 

 respects wool, making a good mutton, however. Previous to the annexation to the 

 United States large herds were annually driven to the southern market from this 

 Territory, principally for mutton meat. The wool was of bKt little value and was 

 almost solely used in the Territory for the manufacture by the people of blankets, 

 coarse cloth, and bed mattresses. Knives were used in shearing, and the first sbeep- 

 shears were brought into the Territory and used in 1854, by John L. Taylor, a native 

 of Urbana county, Ohio. The first blooded Merino sheep were brought in, driven 

 across the plains in 1859, by George Giddings, from Kentucky. 



Sheep-raising has been a prominent industry since the annexation, and the drives 

 to the surrounding States and Territories have been large and numerous. 



In the Tenth Census, under the head of meat production, it is stated : 



Drives into California began about the year 1852 for mutton and for stock. Colonel 

 Chaves, of New Mexico, was one of the chief movers in the beginning; also the Luna 

 family. Through the courteous interest of these gentlemen in the matter referred 

 to the following close estimates have been prepared : 



Sheep driven from New Mexico into California in 1852, 40,000 (some sold as high as 

 $16 per head) ; sheep driven from New Mexico into California in 1853, 135,000 (sold 

 from $9 to $12 per head) ; Colonel Chaves himself drove in 1854 (the total drives that 

 year) 27,000 ; total sheep drive in 1855, 19,000; total sheep drive in 1856,200,000; 

 total sheep drive in 1857, 130,000. Sheep brought about $3.37 per head in these last 

 years. In 1858 and 1859, Indians troublesome, small number driven; in 1860, busi- 

 ness ceased ; total number of sheep driven from New Mexico into California from 

 1852 to 1860, inclusive, 551,000. 



From Col. Stoneroad and Col. Chaves, both of 'Sew Mexico, we have 

 the following records of sheep driven from California to IsTew Mexico in 

 more recent years : 



In 1876 Col. Stoneroad took 10,000 sheep from Merced County, 

 California, to Puerto de Luna, JSTew Mexico. His route was up San 

 Joaquin Valley to Baker sfleld and along the railroad to Tehichipa 

 Pass, in the Sierra Nevada; thence to Cottonwood, on the Mojave 

 Eiver, where the desert begins; thence downstream to a point much 

 below sea level. Here comes the real desert trail from the "Sinks" to 

 Union Pass through the Blue Eidge Mountains of Arizona, about 150 

 miles, with very little water. The whole distance, about 1,600 miles, 

 consumed seven and a half months. Others (Pinkerton, Carpenter, 

 and Cosner Brothers, who were robbed and murdered) drove 16,500. 



In 1877, by same route, Stoneroad, Hugo Zuber, Capt. Clancy, 

 McKeller, Eobinson, and Curtis took 12,500; other flocks, say, 5,000; 

 1878, Booth and Clancy took 4,000. 



All the above were grade Merinos, such being very scarce in New 

 Mexico. They cost $2 per head in California, and were worth in New 

 Mexico $3.50. 



