Hulett Copy of Cattle Drives

CMT 1897

One More Day Poem

• Themes: Reflection on cowboy life.

• Key Lines:

  • "Even with our progress some things stay the same."

  • "Cowboys will always ride."

  • The desire to experience cowboy life again.

  • Nostalgia for the past and friendships.

Vaqueros: The Original Cowboy

• Definition: Vaqueros were the early cattle herders in the Americas.

• Skills Required: Included handling cattle and managing resources.

Post-Civil War Job Outlook

• Historical Context: After the Civil War, many men in Texas sought jobs and adventure.

• Wild Cattle: Tons of cattle were available, leading to cowboy jobs.

• Charles Goodnight's Trust: Highlighted the importance of individuals like Bose Ikard in the cowboy community.

The World of Cattle Drives

• Purpose of Cattle Drives:

  • To get cattle to cities with railroads for cash transactions.

  • The end goal was shipping cattle for processing.

Essential Terminology

• Open Range: Land without fences used for driving cattle.

• Quarantine: Process of separating sick cattle from healthy ones to prevent disease spread.

Texas Post-Civil War

• Cattle Demand: The North faced a beef shortage; post-war North wanted beef but lacked supply.

What is a Cattle Drive?

• Definition: Round up Texas cattle into herds (500-3,000) and lead them to markets over lengthy distances (Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming).

• Duration: Typically from spring to fall; 12-15 miles per day by crew of 12-15 cowboys.

Hiring Cowboys

• Demographics: Ranchers employed Anglo, Mexican, and African American cowboys.

• High Demand: Low demand in Texas but high elsewhere led to more trails being utilized for cattle movement.

Selecting a Trail

• Considerations: Native Americans, bandits, water availability, and grass.

Getting Started: Rounding Up Cows

• Challenges: No fences led to mix-ups; needed to round up and segregate cattle before drives.

Branding Cattle

• Importance: Branding was crucial for ownership identification and was a tradition adopted from Spanish practices.

• Painful Process: Branding was necessary but painful for the cattle.

Life on a Cattle Drive

• Close-Knit Community: A remuda (extra horses) was managed by the wrangler for replacing tired or injured horses.

• Lead Steer Selection: Key considerations such as temperament and stamina determined lead steer choice.

Health Check and Quarantine Papers

• Quarantine Steps: Checking for ticks and receiving inspection papers to avoid 'Texas Fever'.

Cattle Drive Terms

• Key Roles and Terminology:

  • Drover: Moves livestock overland.

  • Rustler: A cattle thief.

  • Tenderfoot: A novice cowboy.

The Cattle Drive Crew

• Consisted of different roles: Wrangler, Drag, Flank, Swing, Point, and Trail Boss, each fulfilling essential duties.

The Chuckwagon

• Functionality: Used as a mobile kitchen to supply food and supplies for the crew.

Typical Daily Schedule

• 4:00 a.m. - Rise and shine.

• 4:30 a.m. - Breakfast.

• 5:00 a.m. - Drive cattle until dark.

• Evening activities included dinner, leisure, and guard duty.

Dangers on Cattle Drives

• Significant Risks:

  • Lightning, river crossings, stampedes, and confrontations with rustlers.

Arrival at the Railroad

• Key Actions: Selling cattle for cash and enjoying local amenities before returning home.

Alternative Outcomes for Cattle

• If no buyers were found, cattle could be boiled for tallow, or 'wintering' the herd could occur for future sales.

Cowboys and Their Legacy

• Romanticized Life: Cowboys were portrayed as adventurous heroes with compelling stories about their experiences.