They were the Reclaimers, the men who seized and
held, and then seized more, concerning themselves little or not at
all with the moral law as applicable to both Mexican and white,
and leaving it to the second generation to justify their acts, if
ever justification were required.
As other ranches grew under the hands of such unregenerate owners,
so also under "Old Ed" Austin's management did Las Palnaas
increase and prosper. The estate took its name from a natural
grove of palms in which the house was built; it comprised an
expanse of rich river-land backed by miles of range where "Box A"
cattle lived and bred. In his later years the old man sold much
land, and some he leased; but when he handed Las Palmas to his
son, "Young Ed," as a wedding gift, the ranch still remained a
property to be proud of, and one that was known far and wide for
its size and richness. Leaving his boy to work out of it a fortune
for himself and his bride, the father retired to San Antonio,
whither the friends and cronies of his early days were drifting.
There he settled down and proceeded to finish his allotted span
exactly as suited him best. The rancher's ideal of an agreeable
old age comprised three important items--to wit, complete leisure,
unlimited freedom of speech, and two pints of rye whisky daily.
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