Cattle ranching in the Big Bend began about 1870 when Milton Faver set himself up as ‘Don’ Milton not far from today’s Marfa. He eventually built five spreads, including the region’s first sheep ranch. As his headquarters he built a fort at Cibolo (Buffalo) Creek Ranch. The Army gave him a cannon for it and even garrisoned soldiers there under his command. During one difficult period, Indian raids wiped out all Faver’s livestock except 40 calves confined in the fort. With superb swapping he rebuilt his herds from the Indians new largesse. By 1880 more and more ranching was pushed west into the Big Bend by range shortages and overgrazing east of the Pecos River. Formal leasing and land purchases followed. The much sought-after lands had springs. Fencing soon put an end to the free range policy, but as late as 1890 cooperative roundups, branding, and drives were still required to sort out whose stock was whose. Stock was stolen by altering a legitimate brand. This came to an end with the introduction of barbed wire, which changed ranching considerably. Most of the grasslands have never recovered from overgrazing.
Branding.
A cattle drive.
Longhorns.
A roped yearling submits to inoculation.
