“The cows stuck in front of me now are a reminder of the hazards of crossing water. So many cattle drowned on the Opelousas Trail that the town of Beaumont, Texas, where the Neches River wanders along the county line, enacted the “Ordinance to Prevent Nuisances by Swimming Cattle” in August of 1840. The provision levied a $ fine per drowned cow and a $50 bond before crossing. Drowning wasn’t the only peril along this drive; there were also the thick humidity, heat, monsoons, robbers, and loneliness. It’s a wonder White and his contemporaries ever made it to New Orleans at all. But the journey must have been worth it, because White’s longhorn cattle, healthy and sleek from their marsh diets, made him one of the wealthiest men in Texas.”
– Jim Keen, Great Ranches of the West Author & Photographer
This beautiful award-winning 12×11 fine art, hard bound, coffee table book featuring over 30 ranches in 17 states with nearly 600 photographs will make a wonderful addition to any home or office, and be a showing of your support for America’s struggling farm and ranch families.
Good stuff ! . i grew up next to the White Ranch and ive been all over the west shoeing horses and cowboyin and no offence to the West Texas hands and other ranches further North and west they can have some bad hard winters but they still aint tested the’re cowboy fortitude till they spend a few years down there ! That place can be rouf for months and months it dont seem to end and thats before any huracains or storms. The cattle are more timid and most are polled on your bigger ranches now but down there alot still got alot of Brahma in the’re genes and still got the’re horns it’s a whole different deal more ” western” if you ask me. People dont know about them because it’s just not as romantic for Hollywood landscape wise and such.