The period just after the "War of Northern Aggression" was a tumultuous one. The cattle of central and southern Texas had multiplied and gone wild while most of the adult male population was serving the Confederate cause in states far to the east. Without fences, the animals had spread into the rugged Edwards Plateau region to the west of the primary settlements where ownership was questionable. The opportunity to gather some of the unbranded stock and send it to northern and eastern markets allowed many entrepreneurial types to establish empires that last even today.
The National Road which connected the old, yet fast-growing village of San Antonio to the fledgling community of Dallas and further points, offered a guideline for herds heading north and east toward the railroads which were slowly making their way west across the plains after the war. Missouri was the obvious choice and a few small bunches of cattle had been driven across The Territory by way of Fort Towson to Fort Smith, Arkansas, on the old Military Road and then up through Missouri as far as Saint Louis.
Because of the fear of Texas Fever, the good folks in Missouri soon refused to allow the Texas cattle into their state and a more direct route up the Shawnee Trail became the favored passage north. It connected to the National Road where it crossed the Red River north of Dallas and headed toward Fort Gibson and Baxter Springs before following the eastern edge of Kansas to the stockyards in Kansas City where eager buyers awaited. It was 1865 before Jesse Chisholm, a long-time half-breed trader, established a wagon road from near the site of present-day Oklahoma City northward toward Council Grove and Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.
Much like the highways of today, the cattle were driven up various connecting trails that led in the general direction of their destination. Those trails were a bit "fuzzy" because the routes varied slightly, depending on available grass and water. Modern highways often follow the same general trails. It is interesting to me to think about those cattle drives and the hazards they faced any time I travel those highways which I know followed their paths across the plains.
2 comments:
The Longhorn Cattle breed was the rejected breed of cattle not all cattle from Texas just the Longhorns. The thing is was that the longhorns made up probably 90% of cattle at that time. Thanks to Comanche Indians who were the Lords of the plains and Martin Deleon. Martin began ranching just before 1800s and was the one of 2 Empresarios that fullfilled thier contracts with the mexican government. Steven f. Austin was the other empresario that fullfill however half his company abandoned the colony after austin spent time in mexico city renewing his land grant. Martin helped steven and also green dewitt with his longhorn cattle giving them a Couple hundread head each.Just to help was not beleived by either one of them i mean who gives that many cattle away and not ask for nothing in return? As he left with his vaqueros and appreciation was given and the question "is there anything i can do for you Martin". "There is one thing work with the comanche indians they are good people. I thank them and above all Jesus Christ. there are only 2 breeds of longhorns that is the spanish lonhorn and the texas longhorn.
The texas longhorns are only decendants of the spanish longhorn brought to Texas by Martin Deleon the Spanish by Blood ,Mexican by birth and Tejano (Texian) by the grace of God. When Martin gave his neighbors meat because they were hungry he officialy registerd with The now mexican goverment his brand of cattle EJ espiritu de Jesus. "Spirit of Jesus". First registered Cattle Brand of Texas. He started the first Cattle trail of Texas east to New Orleans. Yes its true the first cattle trail of Texas did not go north it went east. From there cattle were shipped to europe. When price of meat was lowered substantionaly in Europe and europeans who saw the cattle asked where they were from the response was "TEXAS".when they understood the markings of EJ it started a movement. Gone to Texas. Texas Longhorn broke the land Matrix that enslaved the European people. Entrepreneurs and regular joes put thieir plows down and headed for texas with that same spirit. Because they were hungered and given meat. New Orleans became the 3rd largest city at the time and hence the Louisiana purchase. With thr pur hase of louisiana territory Mexicos eyes also turned to Texas. New empresario Law passed april 6,1830 prohibiting further migracion to texas. Martin immidiately sent the largest cattle drive to New Orleans and bought guns and amo to prepare for defense against agression which was sure to come. He wanted the cherished freedom of life Liberty,Land and the persuit of happiness. He started the coahuila - Tejas ayuntamento who involved northen federalist mexicans Tejanos and Texian (anglo). Different peoples and cultures with one purpose defend those sacred freedoms from traitors and tyrants. There was a parti ular traitor that kept poping up. Martin warned the comanches when i die this man behind me is the one that did it. So when all battles are fought the last battle will be somewhere around harrisburg. Stay out of the war until the evening of the day before the last. Take the mexicans alcohol and give to them as a treat. Keep an eye on santa ana follow him and when you capture him take him to my son Sylvester and he will take santa anns to Sam Houston. If Sam Houston denies you what i have promised and kept dear to my heart know he is also a traitor. Story goes on and gets quite interesting Martin Deleon ,Green DeWitt and stephen f austin the original defenderes of Texas freedom are murdered just before during and just after the Texas revolution.then new heros emerge and freindship with the comanchees eliminated hence 4 decades of so called holtile indians war who were just defending the buffalo migration which was their way of life.
Continied .....Even fought off other indians who would just skin them for trade. but these Hostile Comanches yet they show settlers heading to california a new better and faster route .Hence ovelrland mail route Butterfield trail going through the panhandle Theres is so much detail about this like the creation of 240 plus forts and gohst towns all to fight comanchees and they were never defeated militarily.to fight this so called hostile indian war. No anamosity on my part even though my family lost everything after the revolution. when i see a texas longhorn today i think of the 3 men that made Texas happen and the freindship they develped even though they had differences. They were neighbors. Regardles of how history is told or news happens today Love your Neighbor. Thats my take away. I feel the same spitit of texas which is the spirit of Jesus. AKA Spirit of love. Its understanding true history which is family history that will awaken us from todays deception to "hate white males" they are all evil acvording to news today which is history tommorrow. Hopefully this helps shed more light and knowledge to your post. Thanks
Mario Deleon
The Spanish, Mexican, Texan comanchee.
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