Page 54 - 2007 DT 12 Issues

July Cattle Brands, continued from p. 1. brands, still used, are steeped in history.
The "Running W" of the King Ranch
D e s k S c h e d u l e to alter. It was common to combine let- was designed in 1869 by Richard King.
ters, symbols and numbers in unique It was re-registered in 1943. The basic
Sun/1 T./N. Hughes OPEN ways. Brands are normally read from practice of branding cattle remains the
Mon/2 S. Stenzel OPEN left to right, top to bottom and from the same today. If you're interested in know-
Tues/3 M. Slagle OPEN outside in. They have their own lingo. ing more about brands, the Devil's Rope
Museum in McLean, Tex., is a goldmine.
H. Weldon A horizontal line is called a "bar," if it They have a wide collection of Spanish,
Wed/4 M. Slagle OPEN is short and a "rail," if it is long. Turn a Mexican and Western American brands,
letter on its side and it becomes "lazy." If
H. Weldon B. Wolin it leans to the side it is "tumbling," while as well as tools and old photos.
Cowboys were often a sentimental lot,
Thurs/5 R. Keough F. Davis a couple of strokes at the top on each and that even extended to branding and
K. Jackson J. Barrett side make it "flying." A quarter-circle, cattle. It shows up in some words from
open at the top, is called a "rocker." Put an
Fri/6 T./N. Hughes OPEN "A" on it and you have the "Rocking A"
Sat/7 D. Langdon OPEN (a real ranch and brand). Put a T inside a THE LAST GREAT ROUND-UP
Sun/8 T./N. Hughes OPEN triangle and you've got Arizona's "Triangle They say there will be a
Mon/9 R. Kinn J. Geier T" ranch. great round-up,
It wasn't so easy in the early days.
Tues/10 G. Fazio J. Geier Texans had trouble understanding Span- Where cowboys like dogies
will stand,
Wed/11 L. Mills OPEN ish and Mexican brands, and referred To be cut by the riders
Thurs/12 G. Wojciechowski F. Davis to them as "dog irons" or "quien sabes" from Heaven,
(who knows?). Richard H. Chisholm is
R. Rossnagel J. Barrett generally given credit for the first cattle Who are noted and know
Fri/13 OPEN P. Williams brand, registered in Gonzales County, every brand.

Sat/14 P. VanDooremaal OPEN Texas in 1832. When Texas became a
republic, brands could be recorded, but
Sun/15 T./N. Hughes OPEN there was little legality. That changed
Mon/16 S. Stenzel OPEN in 1848 when Texas stipulated that
Tues/17 G. Fazio M. Pults if a brand was not recorded with the News & Notes, continued from p. 5.
Wed/18 B. Wolin OPEN county, there was no evidence of legal
ownership. However, it took another 25
Thurs/19 G. Wojciechowski F. Davis years before counties began to regularly 9 am to noon. Leaders may be required
R. Rossnagel J. Barrett register brands. Some were beyond de- to undergo a background check and are
expected to volunteer additional time.
Fri/20 OPEN P. Williams scription; they had to be seen. You could
figure out the "Diamond M," but what
Sat/21 J. Kisosondi C. McLaughlin did "Saddle Pockets" or "Fishtail" look Photographers
We also need volunteers to
Sun/22 OPEN M./L. Utah like? Cowboys often used their own photograph education programs and
Mon/23 J. McManus OPEN terminology for brands, thus the Lazy special events. Guidelines will include
Tues/24 G. Fazio D. Schoengold Em Bar became the "Buzzard on a Rail." obtaining appropriate media releases.
The X I T brand was sometimes called A background check may also be
Wed/25 B. Wolin OPEN the "Ten in Texas." required. Volunteers must commit to 5
Thurs/26 G. Wojciechowski F. Davis When the number of registered days per year, minimum.
R. Rossnagel J. Barrett brands nearly became overwhelming, Mojave Max
Texas decided in the 1940s to de-register
Fri/27 OPEN P. Williams those that were no longer in use. Even Education Volunteers
Volunteers are also sought to
Sat/28 OPEN C. McLaughlin Wyoming has thousands of brands in its teach about the Desert Tortoise with
Sun/29 OPEN M./L. Utah books. Nevada is particularly stringent the Mojave Max Education Program.
Mon/30 OPEN OPEN in its requirements. Brands are illus- Training about Desert Tortoise, teaching
trated in the records and their location
Tues/31 OPEN M. Pults specified as well as a description of any techniques and fun ways to conduct
programs are provided. Volunteers
other identifying marks. Additionally, are expected to commit to teaching
Changes? Call Kate at 515-5350 all previous owners are listed. Some in Clark County classrooms at least
Page 6 FORRC/July2007