Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1884 — Early “Cattle Drives.” [ARTICLE]

Early “Cattle Drives.”

The earliest history that we are enabled to obtain concerning the Texas “cattle drive” dates back to 1857, when about 20,000 head of cattle, horses and mules were driven to Missouri, passing through Kansas City, Missouri, and crossing the river at what is .known as Randolph Ferry, three miles below the town, in the month of June of that year. The drive, though not very successful for the first year or two, finally increased and became more promising. The business was continued and large numbers of stock were added to each annual drive from that time up to 1861 —the breaking out of- the war—which stopped this rapidly growing trade. After the close of the war—or 1866 the drive North again commenced and it is generally i supposed’ that at least 260,000 head passed from Texas through the Indian Territory, destined for points in Southwestern* Missouri. Dodge City {Kansas') Star.