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Show tween settlements but on inaccessible mountain or desert ranges and every place in between. The result was that cattle production continued to increase until in 1890, less than a half-century after the first cattle were introduced into the area, Utah's cattle production reached an all-time record. Yet, unfortunately, in many areas this success was achieved at the expense of an all-important natural resource -rangeland. Although production and export continued at a relatively high level throughout the 1890s, Utah cattlemen were never again to reach the landmark 1890 level. Walker suggests that "this decline represents further adjustments on the way to maturity and stability in the range industry." (UHQ 32:196) Utah ranchers had learned that some areas were better suited to the production of sheep, another livestock industry that gained an early foothold in Utah and would ultimately prove extremely significant in the state's economy. Likewise, they learned that some areas could only sustain reduced numbers of cattle, and sadly, that some rangelands were irreparably damaged from early overuse. In short, they learned "that ranges, like cattle themselves, must be protected if they are to have continuing value." Walker concludes that "By 1900, the cattle industry had become a stable, state-wide industry, with 343,690 neat cattle... more than a thousand Utahns identifying themselves that year as stock raisers [and] with an additional 1,952 counted as herders or drovers." (UHQ 32:197) Utah's early herders and drovers, or in other words, cowboys, understandably represent an important element in the story of Utah cattle ranching. Like the cattle themselves, the history of the Utah cowboy began with the Mormon pioneers who settled the territory and with their particular way of doing things. Upon arrival in any location designated for settlement, the Mormons routinely surveyed the land into city blocks, dividing them into both business and residential areas. Lots were drawn and each settler was given land upon which to build a home and barn. The area designated for agricultural use was customarily located outside of town and was similarly subdivided and distributed to indi- Cowboy Poetry From Utah |