The Cowboy and Cattle Drives

Longhorn Cattle… 267

• The Spanish explorers and missionaries brought cattle to Texas.

• Longhorn Cattle are strong and hearty with long legs and curved horns they use for

protection.

Open Range… 267

• Before 1880’s ranchers did not build fences. They simply let their cattle roam freely

• Cattle were branded to show ownership on the open range.

Roundup… 269

• Since cattle roamed freely, cowhands had to gather up the cattle with their brand to drive them to market.

• Calves had to be branded.

Branding… 268

• Brand: is a designed burned into the hide of a cow to show ownership.

The Cattle Market… 275

• How much were cattle worth in Texas?• 3 to 4 dollars

• How much were cattle worth in Eastern Cities?• 30 to 40 dollars or 10 times as much

• Where could Texans make the most money?• Selling cattle in Eastern cities

The Cattle market

Problem Solving

• In the 1880’s what was the quickest way to travel over land?

• Railroad• Were there any railroads in Texas?• No

• If you were a cowboy how would you get your cattle to the nearest railroad?

The Cattle Trails… 276

• Where do all the trails start?• List several cities were the trails stop.• All the cities are located on what?• List all 5 of the cattle trails.

The Cattle Trails… 276

Closing the Open Range… 277

• Barbed Wire: Twisted wire with sharp points or barbs. It was strung between post as a fence.

Closing the Open Range… 277

• As barbed wire fences were built they cut off cattle from water.

• Windmills were used to pump water from wells below the ground so cattle could drink.

Activity:

• Make your own brand just like the cowboys used to. Use these sites to help you get ideas.– http://www.barbwiremuseum.com/cattlebrandhistory.htm– http://www.barbwiremuseum.com/Typical_Brand_Designs.htm– http://www.barbwiremuseum.com/Collage_of_Brands.htm

• Take out a scrap sheet of paper and draw your brand.

Supplies• Scissors• Pencil• Glue or Glue stick• Brown and Black Construction Paper

How to…

• Trace your brand onto the black piece of construction paper.

• Cut the brand out. Be very careful to make it look neat.

• Take the glue stick or glue and put glue on the back of your brand and place it on the brown construction paper.