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After the removal of the Indians & the buffalo in the
late 1870's, cattlemen entered this area to pasture their great herds
on the open range. Characteristics of these early ranching
operations were long drives & round ups - "typical" cowboy
work. In
1876, Charles Goodnight brought the first cattle to the plains.
T.N. & J.W. Nunn were the first to settle in the
Scurry County of Texas, bringing 1,500 cattle on October 30, 1877.
They knew J. Wright Mooar and Pete Snyder. By this
time there were
few buffalo around, not enough to hunt. Soon drift fences
were
strung to keep cattle from drifting too far during storms.
In 1884 through 1887, severe winter, a weak cattle market,
and drought severely
affected the cattle business Cattle died, no grazing was
found, and prices were down. Homesteaders and farmers began
moving
into the area. By 1900 ranchers had fenced their ranges
&
improved the herds. Cattlemen and their families made an
important economic and social contribution to this area.
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