The Extermination of the American BisonHornaday, William T. (William Temple)
History
The Extermination of the American Bison
Hornaday, William T. (William Temple)
American bison; Wildlife conservation -- United States -- Sources
The result of each of Mr. Jones's five expeditions is as follows: In
1884 no calves found; 1885, 11 calves captured, 5 died, 6 survived;
1886, 14 calves captured, 7 died, 7 survived; 1887, 36 calves captured,
6 died, 30 survived; 1888, 7 calves captured, all survived; 1888, 11 old
cows captured, all survived. Total, 79 captures, 18 losses, 57
survivors.
The census of the herd is exactly as follows: Adult cows, 11; three-year
olds, 7, of which 2 are males and 5 females; two-year olds, 4, of which
all are males; yearling, 28, of which 15 are males and 13 females;
calves, 7, of which 3 are males and 4 females. Total herd, 57; 24 males
and 33 females. To this, Mr. Jones's original herd, must now be added
the entire herd formerly owned by Mr. Bedson.
Respecting his breeding operations Mr. Jones writes: "My oldest [bull]
buffaloes are now three years old, and I am breeding one hundred
domestic cows to them this year. Am breeding the Galloway cows quite
extensively; also some Shorthorns, Herefords, and Texas cows. I expect
best results from the Galloways. If I can get the black luster of the
latter and the fur of a buffalo, I will have a robe that will bring more
money than we get for the average range steer."
In November, 1888, Mr. Jones purchased Mr. Bedson's entire herd, and in
the following mouth proceeded to ship a portion of it to Kansas City.
Thirty-three head were separated from the remainder of the herd on the
prairie near Stony Mountain, 12 miles from Winnipeg, and driven to the
railroad. Several old bulls broke away en route and ran back to the
herd, and when the remainder were finally corraled in the pens at the
stock-yards "they began to fight among themselves, and some fierce
encounters were waged between the old bulls. The younger cattle were
raised on the horns of their seniors, thrown in the air, and otherwise
gored." While on the way to St. Paul three of the half-breed buffaloes
were killed by their companions. On reaching Kansas City and unloading
the two cars, 13 head broke away from the large force of men that
attempted to manage them, stampeded through the city, and finally took
refuge in the low-lands along the river. In due time, however, all were
recaptured.
Since the acquisition of this northern herd and the subsequent press
comment that it has evoked, Mr. Jones has been almost overwhelmed with
letters of inquiry in regard to the whole subject of buffalo breeding,
and has found it necessary to print and distribute a circular giving
answers to the many inquiries that have been made.
_Herd of Mr. Charles Allard, Flathead Indian Reservation,
Montana._--This herd was visited in the autumn of 1888 by Mr. G. O.
Shields, of Chicago, who reports that it consists of thirty-five head of
pure-blood buffaloes, of which seven are calves of 1888, six are
yearlings, and six are two-year olds. Of the adult animals, four cows
and two bulls are each fourteen years old, "and the beards of the bulls
almost sweep the ground as they walk."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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