XIT Ranch has rich history in Texas
Texas contains some of the most historical ranches in the world and one such ranch would become known as the XIT.
In 1875, the Lone Star State government had grown and space in the capitol was a bit cramped. The Texas Constitutional Convention marked three million acres located in the Panhandle that would be used to finance a new capitol building.
But bureaucracy moves slow and it wasn’t until fire destroyed the old capitol building on Nov. 9, 1881, that then Governor Oran M. Roberts called a special legislative session. Eventually, a deal with the Farwell brothers was made.
These Chicago based gentlemen agreed to build a $3,000,000 capitol building for the State of Texas in exchange for 3,000,000 acres of Panhandle land set aside for this purpose. The massive ranch began operation using XIT for its brand.
Mythology claimed the brand XIT stood for “Ten In Texas.” This misbelief stemmed from the fact that the 3,000,000 acres started at the old Yellow House Headquarters near present day Lubbock and extended in an approximately 30-mile-wide strip to the border of the Oklahoma Panhandle, and covering portions of ten counties, thus “Ten In Texas.”
The brand actually was designed to be a hinderance to cattle rustlers that were prevalent at that time. In the 1880’s, this ranch was the largest in the world under fence and it all lay in the confines of Texas.
In 1885, thousands of hooves pounded the trail into dust as drives of Longhorn cattle were herded on to land near the Buffalo Springs headquarters where the corrals, foreman’s house and bunkhouse had just been built.
These structures still stand and hold the distinction of being the oldest structures in Dallam County. This area is located about 32 miles from present day Dalhart.
Since 1936, cowboys and their families who worked the XIT Ranch have been gathering at an annual reunion to reminisce about life on the ranch.
Since 1937, these reunions have been held in Dalhart, where the addition of a rodeo and a free barbeque have been opened to the public.
In 1941, while on a visit to Dalhart during the XIT Rodeo and Reunion, author, J. Frank Dobie made the comment “You ought to make this exhibit permanent.” Dobie was speaking about a temporary exhibit organized each year during the XIT reunion. The exhibit material was on loan from past cowboys and area historians. Discussions concerning the establishment of a XIT museum began about this time. In 1963 the Dallam Historical Survey Committee was organized and an XIT museum is now located in Dalhart, Texas.
Legacy
In the early 1800s, settlers crossed the Red,
and stepped into this wild land,
bringing a legacy of freedom in their stead,
these men that would ride for the brand.
And the years would roll past as men rode to the west
Seeking the horizon far away,
To build a new life, free and strong, ridin’ with the best,
They’d face the task, come what may.
But here, the life was harsh an’ trials would surely come,
Like bad weather an’ no rain,
Life’s tribulations, to large a task for some,
But the strong stayed the course, they would never complain.
A harsh country, with the trials it brings, breeds hardy souls,
Men an’ women answered that call,
Faced trials an’ dangers that would try to thwart their goals,
Might stumble but refuse to fall.
Hardships were overcome, massive empires came to be,
Strength of the women an’ men,
Met life knowin’ there would be no guarantee,
They would persevere an’ win.
They’d forge a history of the west and make a hand,
Ridin’ the range wild an’ free,
True to the cowboy way as they make a stand,
An’ that’s how Texas came to be
A legacy wrought by staunch gallant souls.
From harsh an’ perilous time,
Stood tall in the face of hardship to reach their goals,
Their place in history sublime
Ranches came into being throughout this great state,
Renowned for its cattle drives,
Massive spreads with tales of grandeur they would create,
Where faith in mankind revives.
One would cover ten counties of the Texas plains,
An’ empire branded XIT
To thwart rustlers that were found in these rugged terrains
This brand was hard to change you see.
In a poem penned by Berta Hart Nance, she wrote,
“Texas grew from hide an’ horn,”
A legacy that grew as all chose to promote,
As freedom stood tall an’ reborn!
So hats off to the stalwart souls that rode for the brand,
As across the state they trod,
To forge a life from a hard unrelenting land,
Accept this legacy from God!
© Ol’ Jim Cathey
Thank you Lord for the great state of Texas!
God Bless you and God Bless America