Beschreibung:

first is 2pp, 8 x 12.5" from San Hilano, n.d. but reportedly 1880s, C.W. Browne to his father L.P. Browne in Las Vegas [NM]. Letter is in regard to purchasing cattle, mostly 2 and 3-year-olds, since one-year-olds are not available. He notes that he may have to drive them separately since his cattle are well ahead, and possibly are being driven too fast for safety. He also notes that a neighbor has seen their cow, but her calf has not been seen, and since unbranded, is probably lost. Second letter is 2pp, 8 x 11" on Scaling & Tamblyn Live Stock Merchants' letterhead, Kansas City, MO, 31 Aug. 1893. George M. Casey to J. F. Hinkle, Lower Renasco [Penasco?], NM, regarding feeding and shipping cattle. At one point he remarks that: I am glad you have good grass. We also have fine grass in A.T. and Texas. Cattle were driven through parts of the Southwest from Texas to San Diego or Los Angeles to feed the expanding populations that came to California with the gold rush. The Civil War essentially halted the drives, but after the war, the cattle industry expanded rapidly, spreading mostly from Texas into New Mexico and Arizona Territory. Provenance: The Thomas Minckler Collection of Western Americana Condition: First has hole on left about second full line that does impact a couple words, and small hole (insect?) near bottom that takes out one letter. Minor toning and "nibbles" on right margin. Second is moderately toned, else fine.