Col. Snyder ordered the men to proceed, and the calves reached their destination in as good condition as any of the balance of the cattle, and there were never any more calf-killing days with the Snyder men. The herd was driven through New Mexico and part of them into Colorado, the beef steers being sold at Fort Union, N. M., for $35.00 around, and the balance were finally sold to Goodnight & Curtis at $7.00 per head. This was in many respects, perhaps, the most notable, though not the longest, drive made by this famous stockman, in that the entire herd reached their destination, although the course of the drive led through an Indian infested region and the entire herd of the Chisholm outfit was captured by the redskins just after crossing the Texas-New Mexico border. Col. Snyder attributes this to the presence of Col. Dalrymple, who was a terror to the Indians, and the constant readiness of the entire personnel of the outfit to fight at the very first sign of trouble. So constant were they on the lookout that the drivers of the supply wagons were instructed to throw out any side-arms left in the wagons. This caused the men to always keep their guns in their scabbards, and consequently they were ever ready for any emergency that might arise. At this time there were no ranches from the Concho River to Las Vegas, N. M. The payment for these cattle when sold was made in greenbacks, which at that time was not worth its face value in Texas, and upon arriving home. Col. Snyder was compelled to exchange same at seventyone cents on the dollar, but in spite of all handicaps he cleared five thousand dollars on the trip.

In 1869 the drive to Abilene, Kansas, from Texas through the Indian Territory was made. There were fourteen hundred head in the herd when the drive began, but 140 head were captured by the Indians while passing through the Territory. A neat profit, however, was realized in spite of this misfortune. A claim was placed with the U. S. government for pay for the cattle

lost to the Indians, and after the unwinding of much red tape and several years' time, the amount was finally paid. In 1871 and 1872 the drive was made to Wyoming. Cheyenne was then a great and popular trading point. These were uneventful years; the trading was good and all went well with Col. Snyder and his men, but the following year 1873, was to see reverses.

Again in 1873 the Snyder outfit was headed for Wyoming with a splendid herd that it seemed might prove the most profitable of his career up to that time, but alas, upon arriving at his destination he found the greatest panic that the country had ever known in full blast. Friends that were worth millions the week before were almost paupers now-everything had been swept away and bankrupts were on every side. It was a time for cool heads and deliberate action. Col. Snyder made arrangements for money to winter his herd at three per cent per month, thirty-six per cent, per annum. This was dear interest to pay, but the money thus obtained saved himself and his associates. The next year he sold the cattle for $38.00 per head, thus being well paid for the trying experience that he had undergone during the winter previous.

In 1877 Col. Snyder made what proved to be the greatest deal of his experience and began huge operations that led to the making and losing of hundreds of thousands of dollars. A contract was made with J. W. Iliff, then noted banker and ranchman of Denver, who proposed to furnish ninety per cent of the money for the operation, Snyder Bros. to furnish ten per cent and handle all the details of the transaction. Iliff was to receive forty-five per cent of the profits and Snyder Bros. the remaining fifty-five per cent. The contract called for the delivery in Colorado of 17,500 head of two and three-year-old steers, and not only was this contract fulfilled, but a total of 28,000 head were handled by these wizards of the cattle industry before the season closed.

Before the contract was completed Mr. Iliff died and upon request of Mrs. Iliff, Col. Snyder closed up the business of his deceased friend and business associate. The estate owned one of the greatest ranches in the Northwest, and Captain J. W. Snyder was placed in charge of this vast property and handled same in a most successful manner for nine years, the business growing into a great syndicate with thousands of head of the finest cattle and horses in the world within its confines.

In 1885 Col. Snyder made his last great drive to the Northwest, and as a boy, this writer saw the splendid herd of five thousand beef cattle in its seemingly endless column pass, as he sat on a gate-post and gazed in childish wonder and admiration at the stately herd and the gallant cowboys charged with their delivery in a distant state. Little they dreamed of the disappointment that awaited them; little they suspected that even then events were shaping themselves that would not only preclude the vast returns from the years' work that were expected, but would wipe out accumulations studious men had

spent years in gathering. From the broad plains of Texas the vast herds were picking their way across the trackless miles of terrain that separated them from the markets that promised such a rich return for labor expended. In Wyoming the junior member had handled the vast holdings successfully. An offer of one million dollars cash was received at headquarters for the property. Snyder Bros., who knew a good deal when they saw it, favored closing the trade; others interested in the holdings objected and their desires were respected by the big-hearted men who were responsible for the success of the undertaking.

Against their better judgment Snyder Bros. refused the proffered million for holdings in Wyoming, and in a few months the panic of 1886 began. Like a clap of thunder from the clear sky it came, and there were but few who were able to withstand its fury-huge fortunes that it had taken years to accumulate were swept away in a day and wealthy men were made penniless overnight. Everything was sacrificed by these giants of business acumen and honesty to protect those with whom they were associated and save them from absolute ruin.

Returning to Texas, Col. Snyder began anew to retrieve the great losses sustained in the terrible crash of the panic. Ranches were conducted in Cook, Mitchell, Stonewall, Lamb, and Hartley counties, the one in the last two counties named comprising 128,000 acres of land. All were well improved, having comfortable ranch houses, and numerous wells for the furnishing of water for the stock. The business was continued until 1894, when it was closed out and one of the men knew as much about the cattle business as anyone who had ever followed in the wake of the lowing herd, retired to a quiet life.

This closes a brief review of the experiences of Col. Dudley H. Snyder in the cattle business, but there are other activities in which he has been engaged that gives

a larger vision of the real heart that beats within this man of big affairs than any that have gone before; a few of these we will mention here. Throughout the years now far gone he has been a friend of the friendless and many a successful business man owes his success to the kindly spirit of Col. Snyder and his good and faithful wife. A staunch Methodist, he has given unstintedly and repeatedly of his means to her institutions and Southwestern University has been particularly an object of his benefactions. Many who have received their training within those walls owe their privilege of doing so to Colonel and Mrs. Snyder, whose home has been a mecca for those who come to teach or to learn throughout the years of its splendid history.

September 20, 1905, Col. Snyder suffered the total loss of his vision and now after a well-spent life, although he sits with, "the door shut in the street," the "silvery chord" of his life of happiness and activity is just as sweet as in the days gone by. The companionship of the devoted wife of his youth, his children, and friends makes the remaining days of this grand old cattleman, scholar, and friend of man, a pleasant one, and they, in turn, know that his pilgrimage here has been a benediction to them. May his fourscore years ripen into the fifth and his good deeds continue to bring their reward.

Since the above sketch was written Col. Snyder has crossed the Great Divide to roam on fairer ranges. He died at his home in Georgetown, Texas, in August, 1921.