TEXAS CATTLE

(Director Joel Vinson recovered the photo from the Kansas Heritage Center in Dodge City. The 1879 map presented by Nic Mayrath on February 2, 1907, shows the original cattle pens built by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1876.  According to the layout, the cattle may have crossed the Arkansas River at any point from the north two blocks west of the toll bridge to avoid the south side saloons and traveled northwest, one-half mile crossing the Santa Fe Railroad tracks to enter the loading pens area from the east. The land directly across the tracks from the cattle pens may have been used as a staging area.)

Dodge City, strategically nestled in the prairie's heart, marked the cattle drive's westernmost point. It offered vast grasslands spanning thousands of acres for cattle to fatten on while they awaited their trains to the East and recuperated from the arduous drive. This pivotal position was the key to the city's role in the cattle trade and American frontier history. Fredric R. Young, in his book "Dodge City: Up through the Century," explained in 1972 an advertisement that appeared in the Dodge City Times as a means to draw the cattle trade to Dodge City:

The hotels and restaurants are making accommodations for a large influx of people with a view to the adage“live and let live.” The agents of the AT&SF road at this point are gentlemen of integrity. The stockyards are commodious and capable of accommodating a large number of cattle. A general effort is being made to make Dodge City an attractive point for the Texas cattle dealers, and our united citizens send forth their greetings to our Texas neighbors, inviting their presence to our community. The adage“live and let live” was a necessary business philosophy for trade with the Texans. Dodge City merchants knew that the newly arrived cowboys and cattlemen expected the company of women, plenty of whiskey, and a chance to lay a few bets on the faro and monte tables. “Shooting up the town just for fun” was also a Texas Cowboy’s privilege if he was man enough to try.

The article "Texas Cattle," provided by Keith Wondra, curator of the Boot Hill Museum, presents a valuable firsthand account of the report's original publication, which is interpreted by Fredric Young. It was featured in the Dodge City Times shortly before the commencement of the inaugural cattle season in Dodge City. A transcription of the article follows below.

TEXAS CATTLE; Article Transcript Below

Through our exchanges, and through private sources, we are daily receiving information of the almost superhuman exertions that are being made through the "ring" operators of the K. P. and U. P. railroads, to induce the drives of the incoming season to pass northward over the grazing territory of tho Canadian and Arkansas. They have sent into Texas men who are expected to inform the drovers that their knowledge of the geography of this northern country in prefect, and that they are capable of advising the drovers where to hold their herds. Tho fallacy of this scheme will become amazingly developed should any Texas cattle man be duped into following their advice. Some of the specimens sent out upon this cattle! mission are wholly ignorant of the part of the country they go to represent. They are working for pay, and any parties that are duped by them will find their mistake in time. The citizens of Dodge City have gene to work in a legitimate and honest way. They have adopted wholesome measures whereby the cattle men can be treated upon general principles of equity and reciprocity.

The business men have reduced the prices of their liquors, cigars, tobacco, etc., for the especial trade of the cattle men. Reductions have also been made in prices generally. Accommodations for a large influx of people are being made by the hotels and restaurants, and with a view to the adage of “live and let live.” Trustworthy men; who are familiar with all of the ranges from the Canadian to the North Platte, will be in readiness to assist in showing the best pasturage where water and other accommodations can be found. Everything that can be made conducive to the interests and general welfare of the cattle men will be duly attended to. Our citizens do not intend that anything shall be omitted. They do not believe in sending out runners and cappers to impose upon tho credulity of honest men.
The agents of the A. T. & S. F. load at this point are gentlemen of integrity and cattle men will always find them alive to the interests of shippers.
The stock yards are commodious and capable of accommodating a large number of cattle.
These pens afford accommodations for feeding, watering, branding, assorting, shipping, etc., with stabling for horses.
A general effort is being made to make Dodge City an attractive point for the Texas cattle dealers, and our united citizens send forth their greeting to our Texas neighbors inviting their presence to our community, tendering of our whole people.