CATTLE RUSTLING

Evening Star, Issue 22447, 18 September 1936, Page 10

CATTLE RUSTLING

UP-TO-DATE METHODS The cattle rustler—scourge of the Old West—is again operating m the South-west, says the 1 New York Times.’ But he presents a sharp contrast to the burly, lawless “ bully of a past generation. A-d no longer do cattle owners shoulder their “Long Toni ” rifles, form a mounted posse, hunt down the marauder, and hang him without benefit of the law. In recent months several hundred cases of cattle theft have been reported in North-east Texas. In Gregg County alone there have been fifteen indictments; recently there had been nine convictions, and among the accused awaiting trial were two women. The punishment meted out is less summary than in the old days. Sentences have averaged three years in the State penitentiary. Cattle thieves of the Old West marauded in gangs, each swashbuckler carrying an “ arsenal ” —rifle, revolver, a bolt of cartridges, and a Bowie-knife. By day they would hide in a ravine or behind rocks on a moun-tain-side, sending out scouts to observe the grazing herds, the rangerider’s habits, and the lay of the land When darkness came the band would strike suddenly, “ cut out ” as many cattle as possible, and drive them at a run. Many cattle would die from fatigue, thirst, or rough usage. Survivors would be herded across the international boundary into Mexico or into the market centres of the Midwest. If resisted the rustlers did not hesitate to kill, for the alternative was a cowboy’s lariat about each neck, the loose end swung over a tree limb. To-day’s rustler has a different technique. Authorities have found that the leader does the scouting in an automobile. “ spots ” herds, and notes where along the road there is a handy low bluff. He wears store clothes and mingles with the people in public, meanwhile communicating with his helpers, acquainting them with the grounds and the tactics to be followed. In the darkness the helpers arri-e with a high-sided motor van, such as is used to transport racehorses, and back it up to a embankment by the roadside. While the leader stands watch, the helpers “ cut out ” as many steers as the van can carry, drive them into it off the bank, and “ step on the gas.” Usually, the stolen cattle are slaughtered the same night in some sequestered place. Next morning the cracasses are taken to market, arrangements for the sale sometimes having been made in advance. Investigators have learned that the procedure is according to modern “ crime incorporated lines; it is a species of racket bossed by a “ higher-up.” Some of the authorities in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, and other range States believe the outbreak of rustling is due to the higher prices for beeves since the low point of t’’o depression.