In April 1872, Ransom registered his “horse brand” with Travis County, and the letters “RA” were designated as his brand mark. His was only the 118th brand registered in the county, which had a population of only 13,153 in 1870. We know Ransom was a horse owner after emancipation because he paid Hays County taxes on 6 to 9 horses each year from 1870 through 1873. This image is from the Register of Marks and Brands 1872 at the Travis County Clerk’s Office.