%0 Journal Article
%T SEARCHING FOR THE BIG DIE-OFF: AN EVENT STUDY OF 19TH CENTURY CATTLE MARKETS
%A Randy McFerrin
%A Douglas Wills
%J Essays in Economic & Business History
%D 2013
%I The Economic & Business History Society
%X The nineteenth century range cattle industry continues to capture the imagination of many. Researchers maintain that the industry experienced a rapid rise and then a spectacular collapse, as overstocking resulted in the big ˇ°die-offˇ± in 1886-87. However, the story rests largely on anecdotal evidence rather than statistical testing. We subject the claim of a big die-off to modern statistical testing. We fail to find evidence supporting the claim, but find a substantial disruption beginning in 1892, several years after the supposed event. Financial disruptions during the 1890s appear to have had a greater impact in ending the industry.
%U http://www.ebhsoc.org/journal/index.php/journal/article/view/241