Cattle DrivesCattle DrivesA Visual History

Beginnings of the Cattle Beginnings of the Cattle Industry of the 19th CenturyIndustry of the 19th Century

Began with the Spanish in Began with the Spanish in the 1500s… the 1500s…

The Spanish explorers brought the first cattle to Texas in the 1500s. Some of the cattle escaped and roamed throughout parts of Texas. The Spanish missions of the 1600s and 1700s later started raising cattle.South Texas Cattle South Texas Cattle “Diamond”“Diamond”

Cattle herds, because they were neglected during the Civil War and wire fences had not yet been invented, roamed wild on the South Texas Plains during the 1860s and 1870s. Many of these cattle were rounded up and driven to cattle markets and railroads further north. The area in which much of these cattle roamed before they were rounded up is sometimes referred to as the cattle “Diamond” of Texas.

South Texas Cattle

“Diamond”

Charros and VaquerosCharros and Vaqueros In the 1700s, Jose de In the 1700s, Jose de

Escandon, a Spanish colonist, Escandon, a Spanish colonist, established large land grants established large land grants along the Rio Grande.along the Rio Grande.

Charros were Mexican Charros were Mexican cowhands who used horses and cowhands who used horses and ropes to round up herds of ropes to round up herds of cattle on the open range.cattle on the open range.

Vaqueros, or Spanish Vaqueros, or Spanish cowboys, worked w/cattle cowboys, worked w/cattle using ropes.using ropes.

Early RanchersEarly Ranchers

Cattle raising increased after Mexico gained Cattle raising increased after Mexico gained control of Texas in 1821.control of Texas in 1821.

Settlers in Texas could receive more than Settlers in Texas could receive more than 4,400 acres of land from the Mexican from the Mexican government if they raised cattle.government if they raised cattle.

Cattle ranching in Texas became a mix of Cattle ranching in Texas became a mix of styles of both English and Spanish.styles of both English and Spanish.

The Texas LonghornThe Texas Longhorn

What Type of Cattle Were What Type of Cattle Were Driven?Driven?

LONGHORNS were unique!LONGHORNS were unique!

•Huge horns for defense

•Ability to adapt in almost any environment (needed little water or food, extreme weather temps.)

Even though immune to diseases, they carried some cattle diseases to other ranchers outside Texas. The most devastating disease was known as “Texas fever”.

Texas Longhorns: Texas Longhorns: Longhorns were a mix of Spanish stock and English cattle.

Cattle Tick

Cattle TrailsCattle Trails

Why Did Ranchers Start Why Did Ranchers Start “Driving” Cattle?“Driving” Cattle?

It’s all about the It’s all about the money… money…

The Cattle Business in Texas became profitable after the The Cattle Business in Texas became profitable after the Civil War for three main reasons… Civil War for three main reasons… The Price of Cattle in the North and East and the High Demand for BEEF:

The price of cattle in the Southwest was about $4 a head… the same steer went for $40 a head “up east”.

The Expansion of the Railroads:

Railroads in the 1860s and 1870s expanded westward allowing ranchers the opportunity to get their cattle to these markets “up east”. They would drive cattle to railroad towns and put them on the train to the Chicago and St. Louis stockyards.

Trail Driving was Economical:

Only 12 cowhands were needed per 2000 head of cattle at a cost of only $1 a head.

Joseph G. McCoyJoseph G. McCoy

A Chicago business leader who built the A Chicago business leader who built the 11stst cow town in Kansas at Abilene on the cow town in Kansas at Abilene on the southern branch of the Union Pacific southern branch of the Union Pacific Railroad.Railroad.

Advertised in Texas so that Ranchers Advertised in Texas so that Ranchers would drive their herds north where he would drive their herds north where he would ship them to the east by rail.would ship them to the east by rail.

““It’s the Real McCoy” – bragging rightsIt’s the Real McCoy” – bragging rights

Major Cattle TrailsMajor Cattle Trails

Austin

Abilene

Baxter Springs

Dodge City

OgallalaCheyenne

Pueblo

Denver

Kerrville

Fort Concho

Sedalia

KEYGoodnight-Loving Trail

Great Western Trail

Chisholm Trail

Sedalia (Shawnee) Trail

Towns

Forts

Railroads

Rivers

Ellsworth

Major CattleMajor CattleRanchesRanches

South TX RanchesSouth TX Ranches KING RANCHKING RANCH

Richard King, Henrietta King, Robert KlebergRichard King, Henrietta King, Robert Kleberg

Panhandle RanchesPanhandle Ranches JA RANCHJA RANCH

John Adair, Charles GoodnightJohn Adair, Charles Goodnight XIT RANCH (ten in Texas)XIT RANCH (ten in Texas)

After the capitol building in Austin burned down After the capitol building in Austin burned down in 1881 the Farwell brothers of Chicago agreed in 1881 the Farwell brothers of Chicago agreed to build a $3 million capitol in exchange for 3 to build a $3 million capitol in exchange for 3 million acres of land in the Panhandle… they million acres of land in the Panhandle… they started the XIT with the landstarted the XIT with the land

MATADOR RANCHMATADOR RANCHH.H. Campbell and othersH.H. Campbell and others

JA Ranch

XIT Ranch

Matador Ranch

King Ranch

Ranchers You Should KnowRanchers You Should KnowJesse ChisholmJesse Chisholm 1865 – Chisholm Trail (trail to Kansas)1865 – Chisholm Trail (trail to Kansas) Indian interpreter who spoke 14 different languagesIndian interpreter who spoke 14 different languages Established the first cattle trail from the Rio Grande Established the first cattle trail from the Rio Grande

to railheads in Kansasto railheads in Kansas

Charles GoodnightCharles Goodnight 1865 – Goodnight-Loving Trail (Trail to NM, CO and WY)1865 – Goodnight-Loving Trail (Trail to NM, CO and WY) 1876 - JA Ranch1876 - JA Ranch One of the greatest of the cattlemenOne of the greatest of the cattlemen He and his partner Oliver Loving blazed a trail from Fort Concho in He and his partner Oliver Loving blazed a trail from Fort Concho in

TX to railheads in Colorado and WyomingTX to railheads in Colorado and Wyoming Loving was killed by the Comanche, but Goodnight continuedLoving was killed by the Comanche, but Goodnight continued Established a ranch in the Panhandle at Palo Duro Canyon called Established a ranch in the Panhandle at Palo Duro Canyon called

the JA Ranch with partner John Adairthe JA Ranch with partner John Adair Kept a herd of about 250 buffalo occasionally donating one toKept a herd of about 250 buffalo occasionally donating one to Comanche and Kiowa who rode to his ranch from their reservations Comanche and Kiowa who rode to his ranch from their reservations

with a request to kill one “for old times sake”with a request to kill one “for old times sake”

Cattle DrivesCattle Drives

RoundupRoundup Began the cattle driveBegan the cattle drive Often took several weeks and involved all Often took several weeks and involved all

neighboring ranchesneighboring ranches PURPOSE - Unbranded cattle were herded PURPOSE - Unbranded cattle were herded

together and branded to show ownershiptogether and branded to show ownership

Cowboys branding "mavericks" in the 1880's. This cowboy name for cattle without a brand can be traced to Texas rancher Samuel Maverick, whose habit of neglecting to brand his herd led his neighbors to call an unbranded steer "one of Maverick's."

Photograph by F. M. Steele

Cattle Cattle BrandingBrandingCattle brands were used to mark a rancher’s cattle. Each ranch had their own brand

that they would register with the county. If someone else tried to sell the cattle, they would be arrested for stealing cattle or “cattle rustling”. Ask about the XIT cattle rustlers story…

Payback time at the ranch.

Papa’s – Bar LCPapa’s – Bar LC

LC’s – Diamond GLC’s – Diamond G

Roland’s – Rockin’ RRoland’s – Rockin’ R

Brands were registered by county, so no two brands could be the same in any Brands were registered by county, so no two brands could be the same in any one county. These brands are registered in Wilson County about 30 miles south one county. These brands are registered in Wilson County about 30 miles south of San Antonio.of San Antonio.

G

Family BrandsFamily Brands

LC

R

Trail Boss

Wrangler

Swing

SwingFlank

Flank

Point

Point

Remuda

Chuck wagon

Drag

TYPICAL CATTLE DRIVE

FORMATION

This diagram shows a typical cattle drive formation.The Pointers guided the cattle in the desired direction;the Swing Riders, behind the Pointers, assisted in guiding the cattle, and in keeping the herd in formation.The Flank Riders worked at keeping the formation intact.The Drag Riders, the most undesirable position because of the dust , depending upon the wind, kept the weaker, lagging cattle from slowing the formation down.

Jobs Along the TrailJobs Along the Trail

Trail BossTrail Boss QualificationsQualifications

Leadership, Competence, Cooperative, Cool-headed, Resolute, Quick thinker, Previous experience with cattle drives

DutiesDuties Responsible for entire operation

(cows, cowboys, cattle) while on trail Involved in finding water, grass, and

good trail for cattle Can track different animals across

the range; knows the range well Keeps peace between cowboys Keeps horses and cowboys fed Handles money involved with

placing orders for supplies and paying appropriate tolls

Pay (1890s) - Pay (1890s) - $90/month Pay (2008) -Pay (2008) - $2052/month

Zack T. Burkett, LS Foreman, Overlooking the Canadian River, 1907

Legendary ranchman and trail driver Charles Goodnight invented the chuck wagon in 1866 for use by his crews. The chuck wagon, sometimes drawn by oxen, but usually by mules, carried not only food, utensils and a water barrel, but also tools and the crew's bed rolls. A fold-out counter, supported by one or two hinged legs, was used for food preparation. The wagon contained several drawers and shelves, with a "boot" or storage compartment underneath, all covered by a canvas top. The cook served beef and bison steaks, SOB stew (made from calf parts), "chuck wagon chicken" (bacon), "Pecos strawberries" (beans), "sourdough bullets" (biscuits) and cowboy coffee.

Chuck Wagon Chuck Wagon CookCook

A JA Cook Inspecting His Stew, JA Ranch, Texas, 1908

The Matador outfit having dinner at the chuck wagon. The noon meal is known as "dinner" in the ranch country. Matador Ranch, Texas., 1908-1909

The Matador wagon cook [Harry

Stewart] making a cobbler. Matador Ranch, Texas, 1908

QualificationsQualifications

Must know how to drive a wagon, be able to prepare meals with limited resources and serve them on time, some experience and knowledge of medical techniques also necessary

Level of ExperienceLevel of Experience HIGH; former cowboy who is either too old

for the more difficult work or has been hurt

DutiesDuties Prepares 3 meals a day out of the back of a

wagon Not expected to assist with any cattle or other

trail jobs Cooks for the men on the trail Moves wagon about two times a day, 10-15

miles each time Awakens at 3am and has breakfast ready

when the others are awakened Pay (1890s) - Pay (1890s) - $60/month Pay (2008) -Pay (2008) - $1368/month

PointPoint QualificationsQualifications

Reliable, ability to work in a group with others toward a common goal

Level of ExperienceLevel of Experience High; most honored post on the

drive. These cowboys would determine the direction of the drive.

DutiesDuties Works in groups of two and points

the lead steers in the right direction

Sets the pace for the drive Pay (1890s) - Pay (1890s) - $30-40/month Pay (2008) -Pay (2008) - $684-912/month

SwingSwing QualificationsQualifications

Must know how to ride a horse, previous experience with trail drives

Level of ExperienceLevel of Experience Some experience required

DutiesDuties Rides a third of the way back from the

front of the herd as it is moving down the trail

Pay (1890s) - Pay (1890s) - $30-40/month Pay (2008) -Pay (2008) - $684-912/month

FlankFlank QualificationsQualifications

Must know how to ride a horse, previous experience with trail drives

Level of ExperienceLevel of Experience Some experience required

DutiesDuties “Cuts in” cattle that have gotten out of

the herd Rides about 2/3 of the way back from

the front of the trail Makes sure that cattle do not wander

too far away from the main herd Pay (1890s) - Pay (1890s) - $30-40/month Pay (2008) -Pay (2008) - $684-912/month

DragDrag QualificationsQualifications

Willing to work hard and endure dust and dirt kicked up by the herd and riders ahead of them

Level of ExperienceLevel of Experience Usually an entry-level position

DutiesDuties Rides at the back of the herd on the trail to

make sure that beeves, cows, etc. stay with the herd

Must be able to “push” these slower cattle forward

Pay (1890s) - Pay (1890s) - $30-40/month Pay (2008) -Pay (2008) - $684-912/month

Two OR cowboys roping an outlaw steer, 1909

Jack Woffard of the Shoe Bar outfit flanking the trail herd. Shoe Bar Ranch, Texas, 1912

Often horses in the remuda would dodge cowhands’ attempts to rope them, making rope-handling skills all the more important. In this image, the cowhand is roping his mount for the day, using a smear or houlihan catch. A roper had different throws for different purposes; the smear or houlihan catch is a fast overhand throw with an open loop, rather than a side or spinning throw, which required more room to execute. The houlihan catch is performed quickly and in a tight area.

Erwin E. Smith (1886–1947)Smearing His Loop on a Wild One [A JA Cowpuncher Making a Houlihan Catch in the Remuda as the Horses Attempt to Dodge His Lariat], JA Ranch, Texas, 1908

WranglerWrangler

The wrangler was usually a young boy who worked as an apprentice to learn the ways of a cowhand. His primary responsibility was to care for the remuda (herd of horses). In the morning he rose before the men to round up all the horses that might have wandered away in the night. He had to keep them together until they could be roped for the men to ride. One of the most popular cowboy songs of all time, “Little Joe, the Wrangler,” written by Jack Thorp in 1898, told the story of a youngster who worked hard at a “man’s job” and died tragically when the herd stampeded during a storm.

The boy wrangler for the Shoe Bar brings in a load of wood, the cowboy's favorite method of "totin' things", 1912

QualificationsQualifications

Willing to learn and work hard

Level of ExperienceLevel of Experience ENTRY-LEVEL POSITION, generally a young

boy who wants to be a cowboy

DutiesDuties Drives the remuda before the wagon and ahead

of the cattle Rounds the extra horses up and gets them into a

rope corral several times during the day Keeps the horses together and eating grass until

it is time for cowboys to change mounts Makes sure that those ridden hard are given

proper food (corn and grass) Helps cook gather wood and harness the teams of

horses

Pay (1890s) - Pay (1890s) - $25/month Pay (2008) -Pay (2008) - $570/month

ResourcesResources

Erwin E. Smith (1886–1947) Great photos!http://www.cartermuseum.org/collections/smith/

XIT Cattle Rustlers

Rustlers were stealing cattle off the XIT Ranch in large numbers. In those days, cattle rustlers were usually hung. However, when these rustlers were finally caught the one of the owners of the XIT told them that he would spare their lives if they just could explain how they had been changing the brands in order to sell the cattle. The rustlers told the XIT owners how they changed the brand and saved their own lives in the process.

The End of the Cattle The End of the Cattle DrivesDrives

1890

The height of the Cattle Drive Era in Texas was from about 1867 to 1884.

Compare the maps of Railroads in the United States. Using these maps, what conclusions can you come up with to explain one of the major causes of the end of Cattle Drives?

What cities in Texas would ranchers in South Texas and the Panhandle be driving their cattle to in the 1890 map?

A trail drive on the Matador Range of Texas, around 1910. Even long after the era of the great cattle drives, short drives like this one to the railhead at Lubbock, Texas, remained a part of cowboy life. Photographed by Irwin E. Smith.

Looking down from a high point on Matador longhorns grazing. Shoe Bar Ranch, Texas, 1912

The coming of the railroads caused a revolution in the cattle industry. As the rails stretched across the plains, the reason for cattle drives – to get the cattle to distant railheads for shipment – faded away. The passing of the cattle drive was beneficial to the better breeds of cattle that were being introduced into the Texas herds, because they were not as suited to the long drives as were the longhorns.

How the Railroads How the Railroads Ended the Cattle DrivesEnded the Cattle Drives

The Coming of The Coming of Barbed WireBarbed Wire

Barbed came into widespread use during the late 1870s. With the use of barbed wire came the end of driving cattle through Texas and the Midwest. Throughout history, people have used available materials to build fences. In the west the most common building materials were stone or wood.

Joseph Glidden was an Illinois farmer first credited with the invention of barbed wire. He first patented the “devil’s rope” in November of 1874 to keep stray dogs out of his wife’s flower garden.

One example of the rail fences used before barbed wire was invented. These fences were not widely used in the Plains where the vast expanse of land and the lack of trees made the rail fence less than practical.

Barbed wire fences could be laid much easier across broader areas of land. They also use a lot less wood than the rail fences.Rock fence popular in the

Hill Country

Smooth wire fences were used in the 1870s but they didn’t stop the cattle.

The Fence WarsThe Fence WarsThe cattlemen who were determined to improve the quality of their herds soon strung miles of barbed wire. In fact, they often fenced not only land that they owned or leased, but also public land that was supposed to be open to all. In their desperate grab for range land, some cattle raisers even fenced off small farms and ranches belonging to others. In some places, fences blocked public roads. Farmers fenced their land to keep the cattle out of their crops and away from their precious water sources. Meanwhile, ranchers who still believed in free grasslands were infuriated to find fences blocking their access to pasturage and water for their animals. Fence-cutting became common, in some areas reaching

the dimensions of a full-scale war. In 1883, in land stretching across three Texas counties, 75 miles of fence was destroyed in a single night. In some areas, tempers ran so hot that gunfire erupted and lives were lost.

Texas politicians tried to ignore the problem, but finally in January 1884, Gov. John Ireland and the Texas Legislature made fence-cutting a felony punishable by one to five years in prison. Fences across public lands were ordered removed within six months. The Fence Wars had ended.

Improvement of beef herds began in earnest when windmills came to West Central Texas. The transcontinental railroads first brought windmills to the Texas plains to provide water for their engines and crews in the early 1870s. When ranchers were able to fence and cross-fence their lands into different pastures, they were able to control breeding, the first requirement for improving herd quality. With a well and a windmill in each pasture, they no longer needed direct access to a stream to provide water for their cattle. Ranchers could have separate summer and winter pastures, bull pastures, and pastures restricted to blooded stock.

With the protection of the land with wire and exploitation of the underground water supply with windmills, more high-quality animals were imported. By the 1890s, shorthorns and Herefords were dominant.

Windmills Windmills and Waterand Water

Many people see windmills spinning in the distance, but how do they work?

The windmill head is a gear box that strokes a rod in the well to pump water with a windmill cylinder. Each time the wheel turns, the gears move the rod up and down to pump the water from the bottom of the well to the surface where the livestock can benefit from it. The tail on the windmill keeps the wheel positioned into the wind so that it gets the proper power to pump water.

The water is then poured into a cistern (holding tank) that makes the water available for use.

How Windmills How Windmills WorkWork

CreditsCredits Most of the information in this presentation was taken from

the article listed below:Ramos, Mary G. Selections from “Railroads, Windmills and Barbed Wire.” Texas Almanac.http://www.texasalmanac.com/history/highlights/railroads/.(These selections are part of one chapter of a larger history of West Central Texas published in the 1990–1991 Texas Almanac. It explains how the convergence of railroads, windmills, and barbed wire in that region in the late 1800s forever changed the face of the Texas prairies and plains, as well as the complexion of the West Texas cattle industry.)