Top dollar paid for Texas cattle in 1870s. (original) (raw)

Herald and Planter (Hallettsville), Oct. 15, 1874 �

A letter from Topeka, Kansas, takes the view which follows of the Texas cattle trade for the present year.

The traffic commenced in the spring with a rather discouraging outlook, and many drawbacks have attended it during the summer; but despite of all difficulties it bids fair to turn out larger and more satisfactory than that of any former year.

There are yet 115,000 wintered cattle in [Kansas] which will be shipped between now and the first of December. The number driven this year from Texas, the bulk of which will be shipped this season, is about 225,000. The shipments for the entire year 1874 may be safely put at figures in the neighborhood of 500,000, should nothing interfere with the business from this time on to the first of January, and the amount of money involved in the business for the year cannot fall short of $10,000,000, counting the cattle at the average price per head in Chicago, and not including young stock driven from Texas to be wintered.

In addition to the cattle driven into Kansas this year from Texas, about 50,000 head have been driven to Colorado, and are being fitted for fall and early winter markets. Quite a large number will also be wintered in Colorado as well as in Kansas.

The St. Louis Globe notes the arrival in that city of two trains with cattle from Flatonia, Texas, by the Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad. Flatonia is about 140 or 150 miles west of Houston, on the edge of Gonzales County.

The cattle were shipped by prominent graziers [cattlemen] � half a dozen of them handled annually 50,000 head. They have been in the habit of sending droves to Kansas; also, selling for shipment to New Orleans. They have also sold for shipment to Cuba. But now the Globe says, they intend to select their best cattle and ship them to St. Louis. A few days ago they sent a lot on experiment.

Friday the second bunch came, and all were sold at most satisfactory prices. The owners were so well pleased with the St. Louis market that they will hereafter ship in large numbers. The Globe says, �That these extensive graziers have now settled upon a well defined purpose to ship here is a matter for congratulation.�

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Murray Montgomery November 9, 2011 column
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