Wild West Podcast
Welcome to the Wild West podcast, where fact and legend merge. We present the true accounts of individuals who settled in towns built out of hunger for money, regulated by fast guns, who walked on both sides of the law, patrolling, investing in, and regulating the brothels, saloons, and gambling houses. These are stories of the men who made the history of the Old West come alive - bringing with them the birth of legends, brought to order by a six-gun and laid to rest with their boots on. Join us as we take you back in history to the legends of the Wild West. You can support our show by subscribing to Exclusive access to premium content at Wild West Podcast + https://www.buzzsprout.com/64094/subscribe or just buy us a cup of coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/wildwestpodcast
Wild West Podcast
Herd and Hazard: An Insight into the Challenges of Cowboy Life
Driving cattle over the various trails was no easy or unassailable task. The cowboy was forced to cope with the perils of the frontier. These perils included terrible roads, rough weather, cattle stampedes, and requiring men to pass through Indian Territory to reach their destinations. In addition, the Indians encountered often demanded tributes from the cowboy as compensation for being allowed to traverse their lands. Wild West Podcast proudly presents—hazards on the trail, including the stories of Big Blue, Firefox, and River Crossings.
Prepare to saddle up and journey through time to the wild trails of the late 19th century. I promise, you'll be gripped by the perilous tales of cowboys battling treacherous terrains, tempestuous weather, and tumultuous cattle stampedes. Not to mention, the tension-filled exchanges encountered in the Indian territories. Let's unravel together the dangers they faced, the courage it took, and the unwritten code that saw them through.
Hear firsthand accounts of crossing the North Fork of the Canadian River, the challenge of keeping the herd in check, and the nerve-wracking experience of intermingling with other cattle drives. We'll be painting a vivid picture of the cowboy life on the trail for you. What's more, we also shed light on the 'Code of the West', the very backbone of their survival. The tales of fairness, loyalty, and respect for the land make for a compelling insight into this unique time. Buckle up for an exhilarating fusion of history, adventure, and an in-depth understanding of the cowboy life on the cattle trails. Make sure you stay with us after today's podcast as Mike and I discuss the unwritten rules of the cowboy on the trail.
Driving cattle over the various trails was by no means an easy or unassailable task. The cowboy was forced to cope with the perils of the frontier. These perils included terrible roads, rough weather, cattle stampede and requiring men to pass through Indian territory to reach their destinations. In addition, the Indians encountered often demanded tributes from the cowboy as compensation for being allowed to traverse their lands. Wild West Podcast proudly presents Hazards on the Trail, part 1, big Blue, firefox and River Crossings. Make sure you stay with us after today's podcast as Mike and I discuss the unwritten rules of the cowboy on the trail. As much as we like to romanticize cattle drives, they were more complicated than we imagine. Hours were long, food was monotonous, horses were bad, cattle was worse and sleep was hard to come by. Yet despite the hardships, many young men during the second half of the 19th century answered the call for trail hands. The allure of trailing thousands of cattle over wild lands and visiting far-off cattle towns like Abilene, dodd City and Ellsworth was too much to resist. Like most adventurers, the extended drive had a mix of hot sun, dust, storms, thunderous rain and treacherous river crossings, along with merriment and peril. Follow us now as we look at some of the cowboy tales describing the dangers of a cattle drive. While these cowboy experiences cannot give us a complete look at every threat the cowboy faces, they should paint a general picture that will help us understand the known hazards. No matter which direction the drives took, they all faced roughly the same set of perils stampedes, river crossings and Indian attacks. The drive from Texas to Kansas took a month or more. The time it took to drive cattle north depended on the part of Texas from which the herd started and the look the outfit encountered on the way. The cost of the drive usually was assessed at a dollar a head On the trails. There were no farms to sell warm meals to the drovers and corn for the cattle. A description by an unidentified rider in the late 1870s labeled the ordinary details of a drive from Texas, who wrote about the difficulties of managing a herd during a long drive. A herd traveling with calves cannot make 12 miles a day. A mixed herd that is one of various ages and both sexes is the easiest to control. A beef herd of four-year-olds is the most difficult.
Speaker 1:The slightest disturbance at night may stampede them. The first symptom of the alarm is snorting. Then, if the guards are numerous and alert so that the cattle cannot easily break away, they will begin milling, crowding together with their heads toward a common center, their horns clashing and the whole body in confused rotary motion which increases and, unless controlled, ends in a concentrated outbreak and stampede. The most effectual way of quieting the cattle is by the cowboys circling around and around the terrified herd, singing loudly and steadily. At the same time too, the guards strive to disorder the milling by breaking up the common movement, separating a bunch here and there from the mass and turning them off so that the sympathy of panic shall be dispersed. Their attention is distracted, as it is, in part no doubt, by the singing. The somber surroundings of a wild country at night, with the accompanying strange sounds the tramp, the clashing of horns, the bellowing of alarm and the shouted song of the cowboys are very weird.
Speaker 1:The lead steers were ambitious, were born with a certain bossy mentality and wanted to go first. So they kept in the lead, often helping to start a herd across a river. The most famous of these lead steers was Charles Goodnight's Old Blue. Old Blue, sometimes called Blue the Bell Ox, was known from the Paca, starca, colorado and all of Texas. Old Blue couldn't stand the sight of something in front of him. He passed all the other steers until he got into the lead, a tall gunmetal blue steer. The Cowboys called his color Mulberry with wide horns. Old Blue commanded the point position on eight trips from the Palo Dero Canyon, where Good Night's famous JA Ranch was located, to Dodge City, kansas.
Speaker 1:When Good Night bought Old Blue as a four-year-old one of a group of 5,000, the young steer showed signs of natural leadership. He seemed to have a steady quality that calmed the other flighty longhorns. Early on Good Night noticed that after bedding down for the night, the cattle took up the same position in the herd the next morning they had occupied the day before. So Good Night hung a bell around Old Blue's neck, taking benefit of this insight. Before long the rest of the herd grew accustomed to heating the sound of the bell as it led up the Great Western Cattle Trail. Old Blue knew the trail to Dodge City better than the Cowboys. So every morning he took his position at the head of the herd and there he held it during the long trail drives, a sort of temperate collected and with the bell around his neck ringing with each shake of his whole head to usher the way he taught thousands of longhorns over the trail, showing himself to be worth a dozen extra Cowboys. When old blue was 20 years old he died, leaving a legacy of faithful hard work and leadership over the good night loving trail and other trails. He was the most esteemed longhorn in western cattle trail history.
Speaker 1:The importance of having good lead steers was shown in an item in the Dallas Herald in the spring of 1873. A herd of 1,200 cattle stampeded within the town of Dallas that is all but two of them did. The two that didn't take fright, reported the Herald, had led the drive from when its owners started out. During the alarm of the rest of the drove, they stood motionless. The drivers had the satisfaction of seeing the frightened cattle return and gather around the more composed leaders.
Speaker 1:One of the God-created splendors in the Old West included the Foxfire on big cattle drives. As the cowboys drove their herds across the plains in the 1870s and 80s, they'd come upon thunderous summer storms entering Indian territory and the Kansas plains. These electrical storms, with lightning flashes, caused the sulfur to hang heavily in the air. Sometimes, in the darkness of these storms, the horn tips of the cattle, the ears of the horses and the hat brims of the cowboys shined with luminous light, the air thick with sulfur became suffocating, causing what was known to them as Foxfire so often. This early day, foxfire continued until the herd was bathed in an incandescent glow. This eerie glow was like a science fiction story or a bad dream. The cowboys called it St Elmo's Fire. Sh Woods of Alice, texas, rode in his account of Texas Cowboys at a circus in Minneapolis his account of a Foxfire during the thunderstorm outside of Dodge City.
Speaker 1:When we arrived, within eight or ten miles of Dodge City, kansas, a beautiful city situated on the north bank of the Arkansas River and about one month's drive from Red River, we could see about fifty different trail herds grazing up and down the valley of the Arkansas River. That night we had a terrible storm. Talk about thunder and lightning. There's where you could see the phosphorescence on the horse's ear and smell sulfur. We saw the storm approaching and every man, including the wrestler, was out on duty. About ten o'clock at night we were greeted with a terribly loud clap of thunder and a flash of lightning which killed one of our lead steers. Just behind me. That started the ball rolling.
Speaker 1:Between the rumbling, roaring and rattling of hooves, horns, thunder and lightning, it made an old cow puncher long for headquarters or to be in his line camp at some dugout on the banks of some little stream. After the first break we were unable to control the cattle longer, for just as soon as we could get them quiet some other herd would run into us and give us a fresh start. Finally, so many herds had run together that it was impossible to tell our cattle from the others. When lightning flashed we could see thousands of cattle and hundreds of men all over the prairie. So we turned everything loose and waited patiently for daybreak. The next morning all the different outfits got together and we had a general roundup. It took about a week to get everything all straightened out and trim up the herds.
Speaker 1:The cowboys described a St Elmo's fire as balls, often of a blue or violet hue, centered on an object. They appeared spherical and glowed like fire. Occasionally a hissing or crackling sound was heard, not unlike plasma balls. Ec Teddy Blue Abbott provides a first-hand account of the hazards of a lightning storm during a cattle drive. Lots of cow punchers were killed by lightning, which is a known fact. I was knocked off my horse by it twice the first time I saw a ball of fire coming my way and felt something strike me on the head. When I came too, I was lying under old peat and the rain was pouring down on my face. The second time I was trying to get under a railroad bridge when it hit me and I came into the ditch.
Speaker 1:The cattle were always restless when there was a storm at night, even if it was a long way off, and that was when any little thing would start to run. Lots of times I have ridden around the herd with lightning playing and thunder muttering in the distance, when the air was so full of electricity that I would see it flashing on the horns of the cattle and there would be balls of it on the horse's ears and even on my mustache Little balls about the size of a pea. I suppose it was static electricity, the same as when you shake a blanket on a dark winter night. I'm sure you can imagine the peril in trying to get several thousand head of cattle from one side of a deep river to the other. They would have to find the best spot to cross, taking into account the water's depth, current speed and how steep the banks were and how swollen from rain or snowmelt Sometimes the cowboys would strip down to their bare skin to keep from getting their clothes wet, especially in the cold season. In Echoes of the Cattle Trail, jerry M Nance of Kyle, texas, wrote of his experience of crossing the Washtaw River naked.
Speaker 1:I left Hayes County, texas, on April 15, 1877, bound for Cheyenne, wyoming, with 2100 head of cattle, 40 head of ponies and two yoke of oxen with a chuck wagon. From here we made the trip all right until we reached the North Canadian, which was also on a rise, and all over the bottom lands. We waited for several days for the floodwaters to subside, but all to no use. In the meantime, other herds had come in sight and for fear of bad nights and a mix-up, I decided to make a raft and go across. The cattle were started across and were going fine when it came up a terrific hail storm which interrupted the proceedings. One man was across on the other side of the river, naked, with his horse and saddle, and about half of the herd and the balance of us were on this side with the other half of the herd and all the supplies. There was no timber on our side of the river and when the hail began pelting, the boys and myself made a break for the wagon for shelter. We were all naked and the hail came down so furiously that within a short time it was about two inches deep on the ground. We must have hailed considerably up the river, for the water was so cold we could not get any more of the herd across that day. We were much concerned about getting help to the man across the river. We tried all evening to get one of the boys over to carry his fellows some clothes and help look after the cattle, but failed in each attempt. We could not see him, nor the cattle, on account of the heavy timber on the other side, and the whole bottom was covered with water so that it was impossible for him to come near enough to us when we called him. The water was so cold that horse nor man could endure it, and in trying to cross over several of them came near drowning and were forced to turn back. So the man on the other side had to stay over there all night, alone and naked. Once the suitable crossing was found, the man of the cattle drive would have to lead the cattle into the water, watch to be sure there were none swept downstream in the current and pray they could find solid footing on the bank on the far side to get out of the river again. When cattle did get caught in the current and swept away, someone had to ride along the banks of the river to find the animal, hoping it made it out alive.
Speaker 1:In Days Gone by, a story written by Hiram G Craig provides detailed description of what it was like to cross the Colorado River with a herd of cattle. On our way we came to the Colorado River at La Grange and found the stream on a rampage. We were told of a man that had been drowned at this crossing three days before. In trying to cross a herd of cattle. The man had all his clothes on, besides a six-shooter. In swimming across he had taken the left point or lead to point the cattle across. The cattle began milling in the stream and tried to turn back. He had made the point on his horse but got into the bunch of milling cattle and both he and his horse went under. He was found two days later some 400 yards below the crossing.
Speaker 1:This brought up the questions who would venture to point our herd across and what would it cost to have them pointed? Crowds of people had come from La Grange to witness the spectacle of a large herd of cattle swimming across the river. There were men, women and children all eager to see. I was about the poorest swimmer in the outfit but had lots of experience in my time, no doubt more than the rest altogether. Holt sauntered up to me and asked if I was afraid to point the herd and what would I charge extra to pull off the stunt. I confessed to him that I was not a good swimmer and was afraid of water, but that I was a hired hand and would not shirk my duty. I had a first-class pony for the work and told him that I would point the herd if allowed to strip my clothes. He told me the work had to be done, women or no women. When everything was arranged, I stripped, mounted my pony bear back and took the left or lower point. I struck the water with the cattle and stayed near the lead until I saw the opposite bank. Then I let out for the bank and crossed the cattle without a mishap.
Speaker 1:If the rivers were swollen they might choose to delay the crossing until the water levels reached a less threatening level. But this also presented difficulties. The cattle drives were busy and many drives would be traveling the same way. So in delaying a river crossing you ran the risk of a cattle drive traffic jam where several herds were stacked up and waiting. This led to the risk of herds becoming intermixed if the cowboys weren't diligent to keep them separate.
Speaker 1:The following is an excerpt by G H Moll providing his actual account of crossing the North Fork of the Canadian River during a trail drive to Abilene, kansas. When we reached the North Fork of the Canadian River, it was also pretty high on account of heavy rains. The water was level with the bank on this side, but on the far side the bank was about six feet above the water and the going out place being only about twenty feet wide. We had trouble getting the cattle into the water and when they did get started they crowded in so that they could not get out on the other side and became milling, and we lost one hundred and sixteen head and three horses.
Speaker 1:When we arrived at the Arkansas River, we found it out of its banks and we were compelled to wait several days for it to run down. We were out of provisions and tried to purchase some from a government train which was camped at this point. The wagon train was loaded with flour and bacon and route to Fort Sill. The man in charge refused to sell us anything, so when the guard was absent, we borrowed enough grub to last us until we could get some more. When the flood stage had passed, we crossed the river. We reached Abilene, kansas, in the latter part of June, camping there a month, and finally sold the cattle to Mr Evans of California for twenty-five dollars per head, with the understanding that Black Bill Montgomery, bill Henderson, myself and Gov the Negro Cook were to go along with the cattle. Mr Evans also bought the horses.
Speaker 3:Brad. The famous western writer Zane Gray, first chronicled in his 1934 novel of the Code of the West, stated that no written code ever actually existed between the cowboys who traveled the trail. However, the hardy pioneers who lived in the West were bound by these unwritten rules. I would like to take some time exploring this code of the West as it applied to a fair play, loyalty and respect for the land. Let's first talk about fair play.
Speaker 1:I love talking about the Code of the West or the cowboy code. There's been so many of them written over the years, going back to probably the first that I can think of, from the character the Lone Ranger, which actually debuted as a radio character even a year before Zane Gray started talking about the Code of the West. These codes were. All the great cowboy characters had one from the 30s through really the 50s Lone Ranger, cisco, kid, hop along Cassidy had one, gene Ocheri had one, roy Rogers had his own version of the cowboy code published in pulp magazines, comic books, lunch boxes, all every bit of memorabilia that appealed to young boys who were lovers of the Hollywood cowboy way of life. And I do believe that it does truly stem from the, the unwritten code of honor that these men had.
Speaker 1:You had to have some sort to survive when you lived a part from civilization for much of your life and career. You had to have some sort of civilization amongst yourselves. I guess might be the most complicated but simple way of saying it. At the same time and these were obvious you can almost just write them as a cowboy version of the old 10 Commandments Give your enemy a fighting chance, never steal another man's horse. One of the greatest crimes that you could have in the West was leaving a man afoot. He could take his wife, his kids, burned his house down, but don't you steal his horse. Never make a threat. Threats are worthless unless you plan on backing them up. Never shoot an unarmed or unworn enemy, which goes back to always give your enemy a fighting chance. This is just basic human dignity and respect for it.
Speaker 3:Brad, you mentioned some of the elements of Code of the West. I'm interested really in how that played out on the trail, especially when there was no law, there was no rules to go by, and how these cowboys on the trail treated one another either with respect or challenged them for being disrespected.
Speaker 1:Well, you kind of hit on an interesting point there, mike. Where there is no law, each man effectively becomes a law unto himself. However, they are, especially these cowboys on the trail drives. It's almost its own little form of feudal government, their own individual society, and every other trail driving herd coming up the trail is a foreign country with their own government, to which they can either compete or cooperate as needed to make sure that everyone effectively gets up the trail safe and alive. But most importantly is your own outfit.
Speaker 1:These guys had to look out for each other. If they didn't, death or serious injury was often just on the other side of the riverbank, if not right in the middle, and because of this they had to watch out for each other being a friend when he needs one. Hospitable strangers. You never knew when you yourself might be left to foot or alone in the wilderness, so to speak, independent on the kindness of others. So again, going back to the golden rule do unto others.
Speaker 1:A cowboy was always, first and foremost, loyal to his brand. Still today it's kind of enter the vernacular riding for the brand. That's where this comes from. Your survival depends on the survival of your outfit, and your loyalty to that means everything. That's it for now. Remember to check out our Wild West Podcast shows on iTunes Podcast or at WildWestPodcastBuzzsproutcom. You can also catch us on Facebook at Facebookcom, or on our YouTube channel at Whiskey and Westerns on Wednesday. So make sure you subscribe to our shows listed at the end of the description text to this podcast to receive notifications on all new episodes. Thanks for listening to our podcast. If you have any comments or would like to add to this series on cattle drives, cowboys and cattle towns, you can write us at WildWestPodcast at gmailcom, and we will share your thoughts as they apply to future episodes. Join us next time as we visit part two of Hazards on the Trail entitled Stampede's, j-hawkers and Indian Trebles.
