Last week the Star printed an article on "A Few Changes of the Past 40 Years." In the article, Coldwater and Comanche-co. of 35 or 40 years ago was contrasted with the town and country of today. Attention was called to the passing during the recent three or four decades of many of the old buildings, old sidewalks, old wells, old windmills, old livery stables, old means of travel and other characteristics of the earlier days in our city and county, and now all these have given way, in large measure, to new and up-to-date buildings, cement sidewalks, water and light facilities, autos, trucks and tractors, electrical appliances and a hundred other modern conveniences and comfort.In this article, attention will be called particularly to one phase of the progress which has been so noticeable in this country from year to year, especially during the past 20 years.
For several years before this part of the state began to be settled, and for some time thereafter, there was very little farming done here. Livestock, mostly cattle, was the leading industry. Ranches of from one to twenty thousand acres each, all well stocked, were everywhere to be seen. Many of the cattle were shipped or driven in from the great ranches southwest of here, even as far as New Mexico. "Longhorns," as they were called, predominated. During those years, cattle received very little feed except buffalo grass, but grass was abundant then. The canyons were about the only shelter horses and cattle had then during the severe storms of winter. Prior to the coming of the railroad through Comanche-co. in the fall of 1887, cattle were driven from 60 to 75 miles to the nearest railroad point for shipment to market.
The cattle industry in this county began during the latter 70s, when Dick Philips and his associates organized what was known as the "Comanche Cattle Pool," and for nearly ten years they practically controlled the cattle business in this county and in the western part of Barber-co., east of here. The fences of the Pool enclosed several thousand acres in the two counties. Coldwater is located about the center of what was the beef pasture of the Pool. At that time, the only settlers were along Mule Creek, and they were "few and far between." During the halcyon days of the Comanche Pool, cattle by the thousands could be seen scattered over the entire country. Fred Creigh and Frank King, both now deceased, were employees of Mr. Philips and were active in helping to care for the cattle controlled by the Comanche Pool.
It was during the early part of the year 1884 that settlers began to come in, and it was not long until the town of Coldwater was started. Later, other towns were started, and hundreds of claims were staked out in various parts of the county by people who had come in with a view of making their permanent home here. For a few years, some farming was done, but many discouragement's in the way of hot winds and partial crop failures followed. The cattle business flourished, however, and continued to do so on a rather large scale until about 20 years ago, when more attention began to be paid to wheat raising. Many of the ranches were divided up into numerous farms, where the growing of wheat has ever since been found profitable.
For many years, there was a strong organization in this county and in Barber-co., known as the Salt Fork Livestock Association. The stockmen were organized, and quite thoroughly, too, for mutual protection against cattle thieves, and for a better understanding in regard to brands, pastures, etc. Almost every farmer had at least a small bunch of cattle, and each had his own private brand. Brand books were issued then, in which were shown the various brands, with the owners' names and post office addresses. Regular meetings of the Association were held, and it was usually quite an event when the various stockmen from the two counties assembled for their convention and to discuss matters of mutual interest. Those were the days when cattle were in the ascendancy on this part of Kansas. This country continues to be a great cattle country, but ranches are now smaller than they were 25 or 30 years ago, and purebred stock is now raised very extensively. In this county, the day of the "longhorn" has long since passed.
Webmaster's Note: The above article is erroneous in saying "The cattle industry in this county began during the latter 70s, when Dick Philips and his associates organized what was known as the Comanche Cattle Pool, as it is historical fact that Cap Pepperd had been ranching in the area, since 1874, for several years before the Comanche Pool was established.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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