USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume I > Part 35
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Cattle Trails.
Much interest attaches to the series of developments by which the Texas cattle industry grew in importance during the years before 1873, and how from a limited and unprofitable market at the gulf ports the tide of cattle was turned to the north and even then being directed to-
Mavericks.
Edward King gives this version of the Maverick story :
"Colonel Maverick. an old and wealthy citizen of San Antonio, once placed a small herd of cattie on an island in Matagorda bay, and having too many other things to think of soon forgot all about them. After a lapse of several years, some fishermen sent the Colonel word that his cattle had increased alarm- ingly, and that there was not enough grass on the island to maintain them. So he sent men to bring them off. There is probably nothing more sublimely awful in the whole history of cattle-raising than the story of those beasts, from the time they were driven from the island until they were scattered to the four corners of western Texas. Among these Matagordian cattle which had run wild for years were eight hundred noble and ferocious bulls; and wherever they went they found the country vacant before them. It was as if a menagerie of lions had broken loose in a village. Mr. Maverick never succeeded in keep- ing any of the herd together; they all ran madly whenever a man came in sight; and for many a day after, whenever any unbranded and unusually wild cattle were seen about the ranges, they were called 'Mavericks.'"
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ward new shipping centers with almost each succeeding year. New Orleans and the lower Mississippi points were the destinations for the earliest cattlemen. Then Memphis and St. Louis received the bulk of the trade ; still later, Sedalia and Kansas City; Abilene had its infamous "boom" as a cowtown, and, later, Junction City, Wichita, Fort Dodge, and other railroad points in Southern Kansas; but coincident with the construction of the M. K. & T. Railroad south through Indian Terri- tory to Denison, which remained its terminal point for several years. the trail-herds of West and Southwest Texas were directed in an ever- increasing stream toward this part of North Texas. Nevertheless, the railroad mentioned must not be credited with establishing this general route for the drives; although it was a positive influence to this end, and the Denison terminal was a shipping point of more than ordinary magnitude, it remains true that a great part, perhaps a majority, of the cattle were driven past this point and on to the popular herding grounds in Southeastern Kansas. The true explanation seems to be that this "Baxter Springs Trail," as it was long known, and which even in the sixties had become, much of the way, a well worn road, was a logical route to the northern markets; that the railroad, in following its gen- eral course, merely supplied an iron highway instead of the already favorite trail; and that the convergence of the cattle routes through Forth Worth, which began to attract marked notice in 1874, and the subsequent extension of the railroad facilities from the Red river to that point, were a series of events, based in the first instance on natural causes, that have raised Fort Worth to its pre-eminence as the cattle market of the southwest.
It seems proper at this point, since we have adverted to the "Bax- ter Springs Trail," to note with some degree of particularity the other famous cattle trails with which every old-time cattleman is familiar, but which, being in the same historic category with the well-nigh forgotten stage routes, find little place in the general thought of the present gene- ration.
While Abilene held the center of the stage as a shipping point, the "Shawnee Trail" came into general use. This took its course through a more westerly part of the territory than the Baxter Springs route. crossing the Arkansas river near Fort Gibson, thence through the Osage Indian reservation to the Kansas line, and thence north to Abilene. The promoters of Abilene, in 1868, had this route shortened by surveying a direct trail south to the present city of Wichita, marking the course by small mounds of earth; this being the only instance when a cattle trail was located with anything like mathematical precision. The southern end of this trail, terminating at Wichita, was long used after Abilene ceased to be a shipping point.
There is a distinction to be drawn between the trails that were followed primarily as a route to market and those which were estab- lishell As a highway of communication between the southern and the northern ranges. The "Baxter Springs Trail" seems to have combined both these features ; while the "Shawnee Trail" was principally used as the most convenient way to reach the railroad. Further to the west than either of these was the famous "Chisholm" or "Chisum" trail.
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which took its name from Jesse Chisholm, a half-breed Indian, and one of the earliest stockmen of the Territory. This trail came into prom- mence after the custom had been established of transferring the south- ern cattle to the northein ranges, there to be held and fattened for market. Beginning at the Red river, it crossed the western portion of the present Oklahoma into Kansas, and during the seventies so many cattle were driven this way that it presented the appearance of a wide, beaten highway stretching for miles across the country.
The other trail that deserves mention was the "Panhandle Trail," whose location is explained by the name, and which was likewise used principally for the transfer of Texas cattle to the ranges in Colorado or more northern states.
These trails, which were so called with laudable exactness of defini- tion, though leading with sufficient accuracy to certain destinations, were as sinuous in their smaller lengths as the proverbially crooked cow- path. This was especially true of the more westerly routes, where it was necessary for the drover to direct his herds so that a sufficient water and grass supply was each day accessible, these prime considera- tions making a meandering course the only feasible one in the plains country.
Notwithstanding that the years immediately following the panic of 1873 was a time of depression in the cattle business as well as other industries, there was a re-alignment of forces going on in Texas which was to make its influence felt when the time of prosperity again arrived. The natural economic resources which had lain dormant during the war and reconstruction period, were just beginning to be touched by the wand of enterprise when the panic came, and though this cause ope- rated as a serious check, it was only temporary, and when stability was once more restored to financial affairs Texas literally bounded forward along every line of progress. This fact is well stated in the following newspaper comment which appeared in April, 1875: "But a very few years ago the traffic in Texas cattle with the north was a very small affair. The first herds were driven into Kansas about eight years ago. Nearly every succeeding year witnessed an increased number until the aggregate of one season amounted to over six hundred thousand, and when estimated in dollars the aggregate for the past eight years will reach eighty millions. The peculiar condition of our state and people during the eight years in question, immediately succeeding the close of the war. rendered it necessary to expend the greater part of this sum in breadstuffs, clothing, wagons, agricultural implements, etc., so that very little of the money found its way back into Texas. A different state of affairs is manifest to-day, and the balance of trade is slowly swinging in our favor, being assisted by the increase in home manu- factures.'
Also, about that time the movement became definite which has re- sulted in the extinction of the long-horn range cattle, so that at this writing one of the old time "Texas steers" is a distinguished rarity in the markets. The prophecy of this modern state of affairs was thus couched in a Fort Worth Democrat editorial during the spring of 1874: "Several hundred head of blooded cattle have been imported into this
Wieland Leimport
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county (Tarrant) the past twelvemonth. These will," the editor states, "in a few years greatly improve the grade of cattle in the county. Stock- raising in considerable quantities will soon become obsolete in this section, and fewer numbers, of much finer grades, will be raised. It is conceded by stock-raisers of Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri that more money is realized by raising a few good cattle than from large numbers of ordinary breeds. Our farmers are beginning to appreciate this fact."
The prices for range stock during 1874 and 1875 remained very low, seldom rising above two dollars per hundred. This continued disparity of the Texas cattle in competition with other grades was no doubt a prin- cipal factor in convincing the Texas stockman of the necessity of improv- ing his breeds.
About this time there occurred a change in the meat products busi- ness which amounted to a revolution and which alone made possible the development of the industry to its present status. This revolution in processes is well described in "Prose and Poetry of the Live Stock Indus- try" (Denver and Kansas City, 1905), probably the most complete and authentic work of the kind 'yet published. Relative to this subject we quote :
"The principal influence that was at work indirectly in behalf of western cattlemen at that time was the development of new features and new methods in the packinghouse industry. Theretofore the markets for
WILLARD L. SIMPSON, whose name figures prominently in financial circles in San Antonio and also in connection with the real estate business, is a native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a son of Willard and Han- nah (Mower) Simpson. The father, a native of Maine and a representa- tive of one of the old families of that state, made his home for many years in Cambridge, Massachusetts, having large business interests in that part of New England. In the later '7os he came to Texas, following his son Willard, who had arrived in this state in 1875. The father was one of
Meat Packery at Rockport.
the group of Boston parties interested in establishing a meat packing business in Texas, and the story of the founding and conduct of this suc- cessful enterprise is one of the interesting features, not only in the history of the commercial development of Texas but in the general meat packing industry at large. These gentlemen, under the name of the Boston Pack- ing Company, opened a meat packing plant at Rockport on Aransas Bay. That section of the state was then largely an industrial Siberia, but the enterprise of older districts was being brought to bear in the development of Texas, and Boston contributed her share, of capitalists and energetic business men, who recognized the opportunities of the southwest and utilized them. There were no railroads in those days and the Texas cat- tle were taken to Rockport overland. The men associated with the Texas enterprise were among those who had been connected with originating the meat packing industry in Boston, which city was the pioneer in the development of the great packing industry of the United States. The plant at Rockport, therefore, established by men of experience, was as
1
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fresh beef from these concerns had been, in the main, local in extent, and much of their beef output was in the form of salt-cured products. Ex- portation of beef on the hoof slowly but steadily was attaining greater magnitude at that time, but it was so hampered by foreign real or pretend- ed fears of various alleged infections being introduced into Europe by American cattle, and also by agitation there in favor of home production, that it became necessary for our people to devise other ways and means of getting American beef into European markets. In this case the pack- ing-house interests quickly solved the problem by sending the foreigners prime dressed beef carcasses that were above suspicion, criticism or ob- jection; and with these went canned beef, and, as the new methods fur- ther were developed, a variety of other canned and potted beef products. New vehicles of transportation having been required for the dressed beef trade, they came forth without delay in the form of refrigerator cars on the railroads and refrigreator apartments in the ships. With these the packers at Chicago, Kansas City and other great market centers were en- abled to deliver beef carcasses on the farther side of the Atlantic in as perfect condition as that in which they were placed upon the blocks of re- tailers within sight of the packing houses; and with these cars to extend their home trade in dressed beef to every part of the country accessible by railroad. This new branch of the packing-house industry, which with- in a few years became the larger part of it, made its influence felt strong- ly in 1876, and in 1877 had risen to greater proportions. Its magnitude in 1878 was reflected in the fact that nearly forty per cent of all the live stock marketed in Chicago during the year, or about 500,000 head, went
complete and thoroughly equipped as could be made in those days. It is an interesting fact that the utilization of all the by-products and every- thing about the plant except the water that had been used was accom- plished at the new plant even before such modern methods were installed at Chicago and other great meat-packing centers. There being no ice fac- tories in those days, and consequently no meat shipped in refrigerator cars, everything was cooked and canned. The packing house at Rockport carried on a successful and extensive business for many years. After active association with the industry Willard Simpson, Sr., removed to Gonzales county, where he spent his last days, his remains being interred, however, at San Antonio. His wife, who is still living in San Antonio, is also a native of Maine and both she and her husband were descended from old families of the east represented in the Revolutionary war.
Willard L. Simpson was reared in his native city and in early life be- came familiar with commercial pursuits. The year 1875 witnessed his arrival in Texas and, making his way to the frontier, he located in Gon- zales county. For the first year or two he "ran cattle" on the open range, thus getting an experience in cowboy life as it was in the early days. Later he went to Rockport to become connected with the packing house industry in connection with his father. About 1880 he came to San An- tonio, where he established his home and has resided almost continuously since.
The name of Mr. Simpson has become a familiar one in financial
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to consumers in the form of dressed beef from the packing-houses of Chicago. At Kansas City and other packing-house centers the dressed beef business held about the same ratio to the total number of cattle put upon the market."
The beginning of meat refrigeration and transportation, as also the origin of the industry at Rockport, elsewhere mentioned, are described in the issue of the Texas Almanac of 1870 :-
Beef Transportation.
The San Marcos Pioneer publishes a letter from General D. A. Maury, of New Orleans, to Hon. S. F. Stockdale, of Indianola, in which it is stated that the plan of Messrs. Howard, Bray & Co., for transporting Texas beef, "killed on its native grasses, to any port of the world, without salting it, and without taint or damage, is generally admitted to be an established success;" and that these gentlemen are preparing to resume in the fall their operations on a very large scale. It is also stated that a cargo of fresh beef, killed and dressed near Indian- ola, and taken some weeks ago to New Orleans, was pronounced by all who saw and tasted it the best beef ever brought into the market. General Maury visited the warehouse of the above named company in New Orleans some weeks ago, and saw several thousand pounds of beef hanging in quarters, which had been slaughtered near Indianola nine days previously, and which was then free of any evidence of taint or sourness, and was as fresh and sweet as if it had just been killed. The temperature in the coolest place outside the warehouse was 90°; inside the warehouse it was 35°. We quote the concluding paragraph of Gen- eral Maury's letter :
"One can hardly doubt the complete success of this invention and its appli- cation, nor too highly estimate the magnitude of its results.
"Henceforth, instead of driving your emaciated, foot-sore, and perhaps diseased cattle to an unfavorable and uncertain market, thousands of miles away, you may establish your slaughter-house in Indianola, kill and dress your beeves with all their juices and freshness in them, hang them in your great refrigerative ships,
circles and he has operated extensively along lines that have made his service of benefit in advancing business progress as well as individual success. For a time he was connected with the Lockwood National Bank of this city, but for a long number of years he was best known through his connection with the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, for which company he traveled extensively in Texas, particularly in the southwest portion of the state.
In this way he acquired perhaps as extended an acquaintance with the representative business interests of the section as any man in the state. He was with Messrs. Chamberlain & Gillette, the Texas managers for the Mutual Life, for about twelve years, and then for some time was manager for the National Life Insurance Company with headquarters in San An- tonio.
In January, 1907, in partnership with T. W. House, J. C. Lambkin and C. H. Jackson, Mr. Simpson organized and incorporated the South- western Realty Company for the purpose of dealing extensively in lands in southwestern Texas and particularly for the purpose of handling Texas bonds and securities of all kinds, which are becoming a very at- tractive commodity from an investment standpoint. Mr. Simpson is con- sidered one of the best posted men in the state concerning Texas land values and investments pertaining to lands and local bonds and securities, his many years' experience and wide acquaintance giving him particular
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and send them in perfect preservation to New Orleans, Liverpool, coast of Guinea, or Ceylon.
"There will be but little necessity for hard salt junk, and the consequent scurvy for sailors, and every man may breakfast daily on his tenderloin steak, whether his keel cleaves the Indian Ocean or the Arctic seas; and with due energy and judgment, you gentlemen of Texas may find your cattle, before twelve months have passed, independent of the malign legislation of the northern states. and once more a great staple production used by civilized men all over the world. "There are many beneficial applications of the patent owned by these gen- tlemen, but the first, and the greatest, is the free exportation of your millions of cattle, and the way, too, that seems to have been surely opened to you."
The refrigerator car as an element in the cattle business of Texas re- ceives notice in May, 1877, in the following paragraph from the Fort Worth Democrat. "The first carload of fifty beeves in quarters, in a Tif- fany refrigerator car, which is just now coming into general use, was shipped yesterday from Fort Worth to St. Louis. Some two years ago a company was formed at Denison for shipping beef in refrigerator cars, but proved a failure. Tiffany has since improved the cars to commercial efficiency, and has provided ventilation so thorough and adapted to both summer and winter use, as will enable meats to be carried almost any distance without taint or loss of flavor." Another issue of the same pa- per, commenting on this "wonderful discovery," goes on to assert that "so soon as the various railroad lines can supply their roads with these cars, beef and other meats will be slaughtered in the localities where raised and will be sent to market in dressed form, saving transporta- tion fees on offal and useless matter."
Quoting again from "Prose and Poetry of the Live Stock Industry :"
prestige in this respect. He has always been successful and financially prosperous in his business affairs.
Mr. Simpson is deeply interested in the history of the state and from personal experience is well informed concerning the varied and romantic features that figure in the annals of Southwest Texas, while his knowl- edge concerning these subjects would form an interesting document if put into writing.
After coming to Texas Mr. Simpson was married to Miss Edith Carleton, of Austin, a representative of an old Texas family, originally from New England and still more remotely of English lineage, being a descendant of General Guy Carleton. Her father came to Texas when this state was a Mexican province and participated in the military move- ment which won Texan independence in 1836. A great-uncle of Mr. Simpson (Robert Crossman), was also a Texas soldier in the revolution of 1836 and was one of the martyrs that fell in the Alamo. Another uncle of Mr. Simpson was A. Daily Crossman, who served Texas in 1836 and was afterward mayor of New Orleans, dying in that city in 1861.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Simpson was blessed with four chil- dren : Willard E., who is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is now a structural engineer in San Antonio; Guy Carle- ton, also a graduate of the Boston School of Technology and now a civil engineer, making a fine record on the Pennsylvania Railroad; and Edith and Alice, the former a student at Wellesley College near Boston.
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"In 1876 there were probably not 3,000 white people in the whole region between the Eastland-Young-Archer-Wichita tier of counties and the eastern line of New Mexico, with the Panhandle thrown in. These later westward movements had located herds of cattle along many of the water courses, and there were some sheep scattered here and there on the drier uplands, where there was a shorter growth of herbage; the sheepmen, however, being so few in number, and the abundance of grass and water so plethoric, that their near presence was tolerated by the cattlemen, and therefore the two usually hostile interests got along together with but lit- tle friction for several years. The Texas cattle ranges, generally speak- ing, had hitherto been within the eastern and southern two-fifths of the state, for in 1876 there were not more than thirty or thirty-five cattle ranches that were conspicuous as to size in the central, northern and western parts of the state; an area, thus roughly defined, that contained upwards of 130,000 square miles, and which now embraces some ninety counties. Most of these larger ranches had been located pretty well to- ward the western side of the state, but many miles apart. Chisum's old ranch on the Concho river near Fort Concho was one of the very large ones ; but there were four-the Townsend, the Hittson, the Black, and the Lynch outfits-in the section of which Eastland county is a part, for which 'range rights' were claimed over a scope of country close to one hundred miles square-an area nearly equal to that of the states of Massa- chusetts and Delaware combined. Fenced ranges were unknown there, and the supply of free grass was practically unlimited. Ranch supplies for most of the outfits had to be hauled by wagons hundreds of miles, com- munications with the outside world were infrequent, mail was received at long intervals, and the greater part of the market stock was driven northward."
But the climax of the range cattle business was now approaching. Not only were the farmer settlers crowding the cattlemen west, but the stock industry itself was proving so attractive that during the early eighties practically every square mile of the range country was utilized to the point of crowding. The rush to the range cattle country during those years was quite comparable to a mining rush, in the splendid visions of sudden wealth that actuated the participants, as also in the later failure and disappointment that swept into oblivion the majority of such fortune hunters. The glamour of romance and the gleam of riches had been thrown over the cattle range. Its stern aspects, its hardships, its sacrific- ing toil, were subordinated to its picturesque features, which many an old cattleman will dispute ever having existed elsewhere than on the pages of romance. The titles "cattle king" and "cattle baron," coined probably by some zealous newspaper man, sounded impressive to the uninitiated and were often an all-sufficient stimulus to the ambition of an easterner plod- ding the slow road to prosperity. As one miraculous cure will establish the world-wide fame of a relic which thousands of other worshipers have adored in vain, likewise a few examples of success in cattle ranching gave dazzling promise to all who would undertake its pursuit. The glowing re- ports of the western cattle industry that found current in all parts of the world resulted in a large immigration to the range country, and the mania for investment in cattle and for booming every department of the busi-
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