The rugged journey of ranching in Pecos County

Ozona—In a detailed article from the Dallas News in 1926 entitled The Tramp Sheepman of the Pecos, the tumultuous history of sheep ranching in Pecos County is recounted from its emerging stages in 1857 to the more established practices of 1925. The narrative begins with the initial failed attempts to introduce sheep into the Dry River Country due to severe environmental and human challenges. 

In 1857, introducing sheep west of the Pecos River was an ambitious but ultimately doomed endeavor. The region's scarcity of water and the ongoing conflicts with Native American Tribes made sustaining a sheep population nearly impossible. Furthermore, the U.S. government experimented with an alternative approach to transportation across this arid landscape by importing camels from Egypt. They conducted a test trip from Texas to the Mexico border, navigating through the harsh terrains of the Glass and Chisos Mountains, which was over one hundred miles without water. Despite the camels' reputed endurance, this venture failed due to the animals' inability to carry sufficient loads and the lack of suitable feed. This led to the project's abandonment after further failed attempts, with some camels kept at Fort Stockton due to the local Cat Claw brush being one of the few edible plants for them. 

The article then shifts to the revival of sheep ranching in 1882 when three men, Packston, Downey, and Parmeter, established the first enduring sheep camps in Pecos County. These pioneers from Scotland, Michigan, and California, respectively, faced significant challenges, particularly with water quality. With its alkali-rich water holes, the Pecos River Valley was a death trap for sheep when the river flooded, leading to mass sheep deaths as recounted with Bosket's experience where he lost hundreds of sheep to the toxic water. 

According to the article, "A man by the name of Bosket crossed the country from Colorado City, and at that time, it was a very dry country. When he came to the Pecos country, his herd, being dry, took to the alkali water holes. He lost some 400 or 500 before he could get them started away." 

The narrative takes a dramatic turn with the introduction of a character with the pseudonym "Willis", described as a "tramp sheepman," who moved into the Fort Stockton area with his flock in 1891. His presence was met with hostility from local cattlemen, who viewed him as an intruder on their grazing lands. A confrontation ensued when Willis, asserting his right to stay, brandished a gun against the cattlemen. 

The tension escalated into a violent episode where Willis, defending his sheep, wounded a cowboy and forced him to flee after a brutal beating, as is described in the article, "Taking on a few more drinks, he set out. Taking the camp from the opposite side of town, the cowboy found two Mexican herders attending the sheep. One he beat up with his quirt, but the second skipped out to find his boss. After the cowboy had whipped the Mexican, he decided he needed more excitement, so he ran a bunch of the woolies into the bog holes along the foot of the hills, caused from the water from Comanche Spring, spreading out over the flats, and was riding them down and playing havoc in general. When the other Mexican and Willis arrived on the scene, straightway Willis started in to help the cowboy 'have a good time.' Slipping a Winchester from his saddle, he began to pump lead in his direction, and after a few shots the cowboy's horse was shot from under him. This left him at a disadvantage, and after Willis had disarmed him, he had the Mexican tie the cowboy hog fashion. Then he started to give the cowboy the beating of his life with the ends of a doubled rope. He then untied him and told him to go, sending a few shots after him." 

This incident led to further violence, implicating several stockmen from Fort Stockton, ultimately resulting in Willis's death in Arizona after implicating local cattlemen in sheep theft. 

After Willis's departure, sheep ranching in Pecos County declined until around 1900 when the industry began to recover. This resurgence was marked by a slightly more conciliatory attitude from cattlemen towards sheep, influenced by economic realities as cattle ranching became less profitable. Some cattlemen, like the Harrell Brothers, transitioned into sheep ranching, recognizing that sheep could thrive on land where cattle would perish. By 1902, the sheep population in the region had surged to approximately 200,000 head. 

The Harrell's, notable for their success, managed to maintain a large operation, running between 15,000 to 20,000 sheep by 1925. Their approach was characterized by buying at potentially high prices but holding onto the stock until market conditions improved. The management style had also evolved; with most of Pecos County under wolf-proof fencing, ranch owners could afford to live in town, delegating daily operations to foremen, only engaging directly during critical times like lambing, shearing, and shipping. 

This historical account from the Dallas News paints a vivid picture of the trials and tribulations of early sheep ranching in West Texas. It illustrates the dynamic shifts in land use, livestock management, and interpersonal conflicts that shaped the agricultural practices in this part of the state. The story of these early sheep ranchers reflects the broader narrative of adaptation, conflict, and eventual integration within the Dry River Country's ranching culture.