History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

STOCK-RAISING. 729
The herds which the Utah settlers brought with
thein from Illinois were largely increased, as we have
seen, during the California-bound migration, especial-
ly between 1849 and 1854, when thousands of steers
and cows, broken-down and sore-footed, but of excellent
breed, were bartered for provisions, mules, and
Indian ponies. The emigrant roads from the Sweetwater
to the Humboldt were lined with enterprising
traders, who secured this lame stock on their own
terms; and after fattening their cattle on the rich
grasses of Utah, sent th^m to California, where they
were exchanged for gold-dust or for Mexican mustangs,
which were again traded off for cattle. Thus
herds multiplied rapidly in the land of the saints;
moreover, the natural increase was enormous, for as
yet pasture was abundant and the inhabitants consumed
but little meat. There was no difficulty, however,
in disposing of the surplus. When California
became overstocked, large numbers were driven to
Nevada, 29 afterward to Idaho and Montana, and still
more recently to Wyoming and Colorado. Gradually,
however, some of these markets became glutted, though
there was still a considerable demand, and in later years
farmers who had before paid little attention to grading,
as they found that an inferior beast sold for almost as
much as a well-bred animal, made some effort toward
raising better and larger stock, such as would find
ready sale in eastern cities. 30
Short-horn, Devon,
Hereford, Jersey, or Ayrshire cattle crossed with
other breeds were then to be found on most of the
principal ranges. In 1883 the total number of cattle
was estimated at about 160, 000, 31 and their value, at
an average of $30 per head, at $4,800,000. At that
29 As early as 1856 cattle were driven to Truckee. Huffaker's Early Cattle
Trade, MS., 1-2.
30 Stock- Raising in Utah, MS., 5. Burton remarks that stock-breeding was
one of Brigham's hobbies, and thai the difference between Utah cattle and the
old Spanish herds of California was very remarkable. City of the Saints, 2S5.
31 According to a carefully compiled table in Sloan's Utah Gazetteer, 1SS4,
296. In the governor's message of 18S2 the number was placed at 200,000,
probably too high; in the census report for 1880 at 93,5S1, certainly too low.