Railroads were required to construct a legally defined fence along the
right-of-way wherever tracks crossed lawfully fenced private land. Railroads did
not receive the same benefits granted to landowners, however. They were exempted
from rights of recourse (as given to landowners) when livestock trespassed upon
their right-of-way.
Another problem was that neighboring farmers and ranchers started to "borrow"
wire from railroad fences for their own use. With the enormous number of barbed
wire fences being legitimately sold, it was almost impossible to find the thief
and recover the stolen wire. To combat the problem, unique variations of "The
Winner" were created exclusively for railroad use. The design consisted of one
or more square strands of wire woven among one or more traditional round lines.
For many years, railroad companies were principal customers of The Barb Fence
Company. Once again barbed wire had struck a victory in the quest to settle the
untamed West.
