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Abilene Industrial Foundation Cattle Raisers Foundation purchases historical
manuscripts The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Foundation has purchased an extensive manuscript collection that documents one of the most significant eras in Texas ranching. Thomas B. Saunders IV of Weatherford, acquisitions committee chairman for the Foundation, said the collection details Capt. John T. Lytle's involvement in the cattle industry. The collection spans three decades from the 1870s to just past the turn of the century. It includes more than 1,000 items. The Lytle manuscript purchase was made possible primarily through the generosity of Red McCombs of San Antonio. Lytle was a prominent cattleman who ranched west of San Antonio and was a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) as early as 1884. He served on the executive committee and was elected vice president, and later, secretary of the Association. The captain also founded Lytle, McDaniel, Schreiner and Light Cattle Company, a firm credited with driving more cattle up the trails than another. This collection contains reports from Lytle's trail bosses about their experiences and hardships on the cattle drives as well as letters to men who were Lytle's friends and contemporaries - many of whom were some of the most famous ranchers in Texas. Business records concerning the cattle and ranching industry in Texas and in Mexico are also part of the collection. So are TSCRA business records, including correspondence about political issues as well as reports from brand inspectors investigating cattle thefts. The Captain John T. Lytle Manuscript Collection has been placed in the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Foundation's W.T. Waggoner Memorial Library in Fort Worth. Library visitors will have access to the collection for historical research purposes. Family Land Heritage applications due Oct. 15 Speaking of our heritage, applications are due Oct. 15 for persons wishing to be considered for the 1998 Family Land Heritage Program. The Texas Department of Agriculture Family Land Heritage Program
recognizes farms and ranches that have been in continuous production by
the same family for at least 100 years. More than 3,000 farms and ranches
have qualified since the recognition program began in 1974. Program
applications are available from county judge offices as well as from the
Texas Department of Agriculture. Applications can be obtained by
writing: Debbie Ellis, Texas Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12847,
Austin, Texas 78711, or by calling (512) 463-7653. Those farms and ranches
that qualify will be honored during a January 1999 ceremony in Austin. |
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Sam Sanders. All Rights Reserved |
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