The Brand

The origin of branding livestock dates from 2700 B.C. Paintings in Egyptian tombs document branding oxen with hieroglyphics. Ancient Greeks and Romans marked livestock with a hot iron. Hernando Cortez introduced branding from Spain to the New World in 1541. He brought cattle stamped with his mark of three crosses. There has never been anything to take the place of a visible brand as a permanent definitive mark of ownership and deterrent to theft. Livestock people say "a brand's something that won't come off in the wash.
The original Spanish brands were, as a rule, complicated, and beautifully rich in design, but not always practical. The early American ranchers wanted more simple designs that were easy to remember, easily made, that did not blotch, and that were hard to alter. Some say that the old west died out years ago. News that upsets yet gives hope of an era still open, was given in a dull two hour speech at our local cattleman's meeting this week. "Hey boys brand your calves early due to a band of no account, cattle stealin', low down, brand alterin', night punchers, that are working our county over for sure". We can't start tying noose knots yet, but here is your warning to put your running irons away and you better not get caught with soot marks on your cinch ring.