The Trailblazing Legacy of Margaret Borland: Irish Grit in Texas's Cattle Empire

How did a young Irish immigrant woman become a pioneering force in Texas's booming cattle industry? Embark on a captivating journey through the life and legacy of Margaret Borland as we trace her family's audacious voyage from Ireland to the untamed landscapes of early Texas. From the Spaniards introducing livestock in the 1690s to the critical role of ranching by the 1730s, we set the stage for Margaret's significant contributions. Experience the Heffernan family's audacious resilience as they adapt to the rugged Coastal Bend region, navigating cultural, environmental, and health challenges that forged their indomitable spirit.

Witness the harrowing trials during the Texas Revolution, from the Battle of Concepcion to the Goliad Massacre, and feel the weight of war on the settlers' lives. Follow Margaret Borland's incredible journey along the Chisholm Trail, highlighting her role in transforming Wichita into a bustling cow town. We delve into key moments like the establishment of the Chisholm Trail in 1863 and the vital Waco Suspension Bridge. Reflecting on Margaret's legacy and her untimely passing in 1873, this episode underscores the immense risks and hardships faced by those who dared to shape the early Texas cattle industry. Join us for an episode rich in history, courage, and the pioneering spirit of the Irish in Texas, and the profound impact of Margaret Borland's contributions.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:05

In the 1690s, the Spaniards introduced livestock during their expeditions into unknown territory. Ranching as we know it today began in the 1730s when herds were released along the San Antonio River to provide food for missionaries, soldiers and civilians in the Goliad region, located 91 miles southeast of San Antonio and 60 miles north of Corpus Christi. As the Spanish missions declined, ranching shifted to private owners, which marked the beginning of the Texas ranching industry in the strategically located southeast Texas, southwestern Louisiana area, a region of immense importance. In the early days, cattle owners drove their herds to markets in New Orleans, a major trading hub. Wild West Podcast proudly presents the Margaret Borland story, based on a short story by Phyllis A McKenzie entitled Margaret Hefferon Dunbar, hardy Borland, from the book Texas Women on the Cattle Trail. Margaret's parents, john and Margaret Heffernan, were natives of Tipperary in South Ireland. In the early 1820s, they sailed across the Atlantic Ocean with their small daughter, mary, searching for a better life. They settled first in New York City, a bustling metropolis that presented both opportunities and challenges for immigrants. Margaret, their second daughter, was born on April 3, 1824. John Heffernan, a candle maker by trade, struggled to provide for his family in the harsh conditions of New York in the 1820s, the city, a melting pot of cultures, was also a place of intense competition for jobs and resources. With their continued suffering and inability to make a living, the Heffernan family was desperate for a change. Family was desperate for a change. Their hope was reignited when John McMullen arrived in the city, bringing tales of abundance and opportunity in the promising land of Texas. John McMullen, a merchant in Matamoros, tamaulipas in the early 1820s, found himself drawn to the possibilities offered by the 1825 colonization law of Coahuila in Texas. This fascination led him to become an impresario, a land agent. The government promise of a league of land, 4,428 acres, including 177 acres of premium farmland, 10 milk cows, one cart and one yoke of oxen was enticing. The families had to bring their tools and enough additional supplies to sustain themselves for one year. A testament to their resilience and determination, they were also required to use Spanish for official business and practice Catholicism, the state religion, highlighting the cultural challenges they faced. The government's role in shaping these families' lives through its policies will prove to be significant.

Speaker 1: 3:30

John McMullen and his partner, james McLuhan received a contract on August 16, 1828, which allowed them to bring 200 families to a designated area along the left bank of the Nueces River. Mcmullen and McLuhan, like many impresarios, faced numerous challenges in fulfilling their contract. These challenges included securing transportation for the families, arranging for their settlement in the designated area and providing them with the necessary resources for survival. However, their unwavering determination was evident as they personally accompanied the first Irish colonists from New York to Texas on the Albion and the New Packet in October 1829. Being convinced of a new future and having the opportunity to own land, the Heffernans were among the families who signed on to join his colony. Families who signed on to join his colony.

Speaker 1: 4:28

In 1829, a mere five-year-old Margaret Heffernan embarked on a life-changing journey as a passenger on the first ship that brought Irish colonists to Texas. Her story, a significant event in the history of the Texas coastal bend, marked the beginning of a wave of Irish immigration to the region. In October 1829, after a five-week voyage, the Brig New Packet docked in Capano Bay near present-day Bayside Refugio County, texas. Among the colonists was the John Heffernan family, who had made the difficult decision to leave their homeland in Ireland. Their departure from their homeland was due to social disturbances between Protestants and Catholics and the demand for land on the eve of famine, encouraging immigration. Daughters, Margaret and Mary, ages 5 and 9, were filled with adventure and curiosity as they scampered ashore to explore the land that would become their new home. Margaret is now destined to grow up on the wild prairies of the Coastal Bend, where the Texas ranching industry was born.

Speaker 1: 5:37

The Texas Coastal Bend, or simply the Coastal Bend, is a geographical region in the US state of Texas. The name refers to the area's coastal bend, a region located along the Texas Gulf Coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The area is a captivating treasure trove of natural beauty, including the Nueces Estuary, corpus Christi Bay, the Mission Aransas Estuary, aransas Bay and part of Laguna Madre. With its gentle curve along the Texas Gulf Coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the coastal bend is a paradise for nature lovers. At the heart of this region is Corpus Christi, the largest city that serves as a gateway to the coastal bend's natural wonders and cultural richness. With its vibrant culture and rich history, corpus Christi is the perfect starting point for the birth of the Texas cattle industry and the Irish immigrants who fostered it.

Speaker 1: 6:36

Despite feeling isolated in the vast, untamed wilderness, the Heffernan family and other Irish immigrants began questioning their decision to stay. However, their determination to overcome these challenges and build a new life was unwavering. The stark contrast to the crowded streets of New York City was a testament to their resilience. Their anxiety heightened when a group of Leapin' Apaches appeared demanding gifts. The unfamiliar customs and language of the natives added to their disorientation. Sickness was widespread in the mission, draining their energy and causing deaths. Mary and Margaret found themselves frequently confined in the church, their only sanctuary in this new and challenging environment. The Heffernan family in particular faced the challenge of adapting to the new environment, learning the native customs and language and dealing with sickness. These specific challenges tested their resilience and determination to build a new life in Texas In April 1830, the colony's leader, john McMullen, led a group of immigrants from the mission to their allocated lands along the Nueces River drainage.

Speaker 1: 7:53

These families, united by their shared journey, took the cannon with them for their defense, for they were moving deeper into Indian territory. Among these families were the Heffernans, who bravely decided to move to the rural area, marking the beginning of their journey in this new land. The newly arriving immigrants wisely chose a site on the left bank of the Nueces, about 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. The site was situated across from the ancient Santa Margarita Crossing. San Patricio was not only strategically located, but also a picturesque spot. It was situated along the beaten highway Camino Real and within a day's hauling distances of coastal landing places near McGloin's Bluff. The Nueces Valley was abundant with beautiful groves of white ash trees. Along the river's edge, immense quantities of the best Spanish and Mexican moss were hanging down the towering and shade-providing evergreen live oaks added to the breathtaking scenery. This view would surely captivate any observer. This view would surely captivate any observer.

Speaker 1: 9:06

The settlers established their homes by constructing jackalus huts from locally available materials, such as wood and mud, which they gathered and prepared themselves. They cleared fields by hand, removing rocks and stumps, and then plowed the land for planting. The Heffernans, utilizing their expertise in candle making, not only survived but also played a pivotal role in the community's growth and development. In addition to ranch lands, each family living along the oasis received a plot in the newly established town of San Patricio de Hibernia. They named their community to honor Ireland's patron saint and worked together to build a picket church. The Heffernan's strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit were instrumental and irreplaceable in shaping the community's future.

Speaker 1: 10:01

The Mexican Land Commissioner arrived in October 1831. He provided John Heffernan and the 11 other fortunate settlers with titles to the lands they were occupying. Possession of a land title gave Margaret's parents the right to build a permanent cabin on their property. They planted crops such as corn beans, squash, yams and melons. The family's joy knew no bounds with the birth of two sons, john Jr around 1830 and James in 1834, adding warmth and happiness to their lives.

Speaker 1: 10:41

Mcmullen and McGloin, the impresarios, brought a new shipload of immigrants directly from Tipperary County, ireland, to San Patricio in 1834. John's brother, james Heffernan, and his family also arrived. The Tipperary immigrants brought fresh welcome news of the old country. Margaret and her siblings now had an aunt and uncle to enliven family gatherings and five young cousins as playmates. The arrival of the new immigrants brought a sense of excitement and renewed hope to the community and strengthened the bonds of shared heritage. The Heffernans and their fellow settlers celebrated their shared heritage and the bonds that united them in their new home, fostering a sense of belonging and connection.

Speaker 1: 11:32

Despite the political turmoil in Texas during the 1830s, the Heffernan family persevered. When a new land commissioner, a government official responsible for distributing land, arrived in San Patricio in June 1835, he granted a league of land to the James Heffernan family and an additional league of land to the John Heffernans. This significant event marked the Heffernans' official land ownership, a process often complicated and influenced by political factors. It was during this time that Texas was facing political turmoil, with Mexican nationals and newly planted Texans squabbling over land rights. Between 1836 and 1845, texas existed as an independent nation, sparking continual conflict in the Irish colonies. The Mexican government, refusing to recognize Texas' independence, repeatedly sent military forces to regain control of the region. The Nueces River, a significant geographical feature, was the disputed boundary between Mexico and Texas, a point of tension and uncertainty for both officials and opportunists. The town of San Patricio, situated along this critical river, became a focal point for the conflict. Like many other San Patricio colonists, the Heffernans kept a low profile and waited patiently. They focused on personal matters such as farming and caring for animals, while quietly observing the unfolding events. This period was marked by conflict between Texas settlers and the Mexican government, a conflict that significantly influenced the decisions and actions of the early settlers.

Speaker 1: 13:17

Six years after the Heffernans arrived, the Texas Revolution began, a testament to the weight of history on these individuals. On November 4, 1835, a detachment of about 70 men from Texas, led by adjutant Ira J Westover, engaged a Mexican force of approximately 90 men under Captain Nicholas Rodriguez and achieved a significant victory. Westover's force, which had departed from Goliad on October 30th, was joined by additional settlers and grew to about 60 to 70 men upon reaching the Nueces River. Upon learning that the enemy had moved out on the road to Refugio in an attempt to intercept them, they made a strategic decision to attack the fort at La Pantitlan, showcasing their tactical skills. After posting guards and intercepting two citizens from San Patricio, they negotiated the fort's surrender. They took control of it, capturing two cannons and 21 men, including five prisoners and some Texans.

Speaker 1: 14:30

The Irish settlers caught in the crossfire demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. They endured the wrath of both Mexican and Texan troops who raided their food supplies and stole their cattle. The region was also plagued by frequent bandit attacks, making life in the Irish settlement perilous. The Heffernan family, for instance, likely fled San Patricio for a period after the war. In October 1836, the Texas government, recognizing the danger, advised settlers to move away from the Nueces and San Antonio rivers for their own safety. Whatever one's individual preferences, allegiances were subject to rapid turnover were subject to rapid turnover. Just 10 days after the Battle of Lepantitlan, the commander of Goliad reported that all the people in San Patricio had united themselves with the Texan cause, demonstrating a strong sense of community and solidarity. The Heffernan family and other Irish immigrants also showed their strong commitment to their new home and the Texan cause commitment to their new home and the Texan cause.

Speaker 1: 15:39

On October 27th, militia leaders Jim Bowie and James Fannin, along with some 90 men, disobeyed Austin's orders and set up a defensive camp on the grounds of Mission Conception. Seeing the Texans divided, koss attacked. The Texians were outnumbered but drove off the attackers. The Battle of Concepcion was a great victory for the Texians. On December 10th, cos finally surrendered his position to the rebels. He and his men were allowed passage home after signing terms with Edward Burleson. They agreed to retire to the interior of the Mexican Republic under parole of honor and swore never again to invade Texas with arms.

Speaker 1: 16:22

In December, the Irish colonies received gratifying news that General Cos had been driven from San Antonio. This was a significant victory for the rebels, as Cos controlled both San Antonio and the Alamo. The rebels had the advantage of knowing of the territory which they used to lay siege to San Antonio for over a month. The siege was a testament to the rebels' determination and resourcefulness, as they employed various tactics by cutting off the Mexican supplies and communication.

Speaker 1: 16:54

After General Kos surrendered, the Heffernan family felt little hope. The revolution had profoundly affected their lives and the loss of Margaret's father to General Jose Urias' troops only added to their uncertainty and despair. They managed to escape, with Mrs Heffernan, margaret and two sons packing some of their belongings onto a small cart and fleeing the chaos. The children, who had grown up in Mexican territory, spoke Spanish so well that they could find their way to the Fort at Goliad, a symbol of hope in their uncertain future. On December 20th, a significant event occurred when Goliad citizens and South Texas colonists gathered in the Presidio Chapel to sign the Goliad Declaration of Independence, the first such declaration for Texas. This event marked a crucial moment in Texas history as it led to Santa Ana leading a force of about 6,000 Mexican troops into what is now Texas to quell the rebellion.

Speaker 1: 18:04

After entering San Antonio de Bejar on February 23, 1836, his forces defeated a Texan group at the Alamo on March 6, 1836, following a 13-day siege. Subsequently, another Texan force near Goliad was defeated and captured on March 19, 1836. After retreating from Goliad, texan General James Walker Fannin and his men maintained their position while surrounded near Colito Creek. His men maintained their position while surrounded near Colito Creek. Short on water, food and ammunition, they surrendered to General Jose de Uria. The next day, fannin and nearly 500 men were returned as prisoners to the Presidio after the Battle of Colito and spent a week of captivity there before the Goliad Massacre. On March 27, 1836, palm Sunday, colonel Fannin, lieutenant Colonel William Ward and 340 other Texian prisoners are shot, clubbed or knifed to death by Mexican troops at Fort Defiance near Goliad, known today as the Presidio La Bahia. The infamous event soon became known as the Goliad Massacre.

Speaker 1: 19:26

On April 21st, during the Battle of San Jacinto, santa Anna was defeated and went missing. The next day, a search party was sent out, despite Santa Anna's efforts to avoid being found by getting rid of his fancy uniform. The Texans' unwavering determination and sharp observation skills led them to the truth. When he was addressed as El Presidente, their suspicion grew. It was well known that Santa Anna wore silk underwear, and when the same was confirmed for the captured individual, the Texans knew they had apprehended Santa Anna. Houston, fully aware of the strategic advantage of this capture, made a crucial decision he spared Santa Anna's life and chose to negotiate an end to the overall hostilities. The negotiations were intense, with both sides making significant concessions. Santa Anna agreed to withdraw his troops from Texan soil and lobby for recognition of the new republic in exchange for safe conduct back to Mexico, thus marking the end of the Texas Revolution and the beginning of a new era for Texas.

Speaker 1: 20:42

After the Battle of San Jacinto, the family returned to San Patricio. The townspeople had to provide accommodations for the retreating Mexican army Officer, jose de la Pena, whose diary details the execution of Davy Crockett, mentioned staying overnight at the Heffernan home. However, the widow and children may have moved to Victoria, a town in the Irish area about 25 miles from Goliad. Tragically, margaret's mother, who never remarried, met her untimely end in Victoria in 1849, leaving a profound void in the family. Margaret married Harrison Dunbar in August 1843. Not much is known about Harrison except that he was a Victoria resident and owed 30 head of cattle. Tragically, in 1844, shortly after the birth of their daughter, mary Harrison was killed in a pistol duel on the streets of Victoria, leaving 20-year-old Margaret, a widow and a single parent.

Speaker 1: 21:45

It was a time of great uncertainty in the Republic of Texas, especially for a woman striving for economic security. The looming annexation with the United States, which could lead to war with Mexico added to the tension. Social relations were also uncertain and unpredictable. Margaret probably felt thankful for the chance to marry again soon, which she did in October 1845 to Milton Hardy. Her second husband passed away due to cholera in 1852, leaving her with two young daughters to support.

Speaker 1: 22:21

As the Civil War broke out in 1860, margaret, a woman of wealth and courage, was uniquely positioned. She married Alexander Borland, one of the wealthiest cattle ranchers in South Texas, and together they had a herd of 8,000 Longhorns. They recognized Texas' potential as the hub of the American cattle industry. Despite the war, margaret, like many other ranchers, including women, played a significant role in the industry's survival. Tensions were high and Texans responded significantly.

Speaker 1: 23:02

Within Texas, confederate and state forces were not passive observers but active defenders of their land. State forces were not passive observers but active defenders of their land. They repelled Union invaders at various locations, endured naval bombardments in coastal areas and engaged frontier and border raiders. They defied federal blockades, safeguarded internal trade routes and managed prisoner of war camps. By the end of 1861, over 25,000 Texans had joined the Confederate Army and nearly 90,000 served in the military during the war. After the war started, the Army needed beef to feed its soldiers and the pay was worth the peril for many. The Borlands became aware of the Union Army's successful blockade of the cattle trade through a naval embargo on the Mississippi River in 1862, so they chose to stay home. They decided to have more children and embrace an entire Texas ranching lifestyle. Despite the challenges, the cattle continued to breed. The Civil War ended in Texas with the final land battle fought at Palmetto Creek near Brownsville. The surrender of the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Confederacy at Galveston marked the end of the conflict.

Speaker 1: 24:27

The post-Civil War era brought about several challenges that needed the Borlands full attention, from a declining economy to the survivors and dreaded diseases. During these years the Borlands and returning ranchers showed remarkable resilience. They took a surplus of approximately 5 million cattle and through their hard work built a booming economy. This surplus created a new challenge. Finding trade opportunities in the north was difficult.

Speaker 1: 25:02

Shortly after ranchers returned home from the war, another tragedy struck the region with the deadly yellow fever epidemic in 1867. Epidemic in 1867. Yellow fever is a brutal disease. When a member of the Borland family contracted the disease, it started as a flu-like symptom that lasted approximately a week. Their symptoms would have included fever chills, muscle aches and nausea. For some of the Borland family. The fever symptoms would have quickly progressed to a dangerously high fever jaundice, signifying liver failure and a systematic breakdown of the clotting system, causing the body to hemorrhage from the gums, nose and stomach, lining Toward the end. Dark digested blood or black vomit would have been regurgitated by members of her infected family and death by kidney failure would have followed within one or two days.

Speaker 1: 26:04

Margaret, a woman of extraordinary resilience, did her utmost to care for her ailing family. Despite the tragic loss of her husband, four-year-old son, 15-year-old daughter, two daughters who had married the previous year and an infant grandson. To the epidemic, she persevered. Of her seven children born to three husbands, only three survived this latest scourge, a testament to her unwavering strength in the face of adversity. Like her mother, margaret had no time to mourn her loved ones as she took over running the vast ranch by herself. There was to be no respite for her. Even after the multiple tragedies, she had managed to survive. No respite for her. Even after the multiple tragedies, she had managed to survive.

Speaker 1: 26:53

A freak blizzard in the winter of 1871 and 72,. A sudden and unexpected event killed thousands of her cattle by simply freezing them to death where they stood, leaving Margaret and her family in shock. The winter of 1871 and 72 was a time of extreme hardship. The winter of 1871 and 1872 was a time of extreme hardship. Several blizzards hit Texas and devastated her cattle ranch. Margaret lost thousands of cattle as they were not used to the cold weather in the South and simply froze to death. In addition, when spring arrived, the cold weather ended and there was a decline in the cattle market. Refusing to accept the $8 per head offer in San Antonio, she organized a cattle drive to Kansas, where prices were reportedly $23.80 per head. At 49, margaret Borland gathered her remaining children supplies and a group of drovers some sources say six men and set off on the Chisholm Trail to the Kansas cattle market.

Speaker 1: 27:54

In 1873, margaret Heffernan Dunbar, hardy Borland, led a 648-mile cattle drive from her ranch in Victoria, texas, to Wichita, kansas. This was a monumental feat, marking the first time a woman led a trail drive. Margaret, accompanied by 2,500 Longhorns Drovers, her two young sons, a daughter and a granddaughter, fearlessly faced the daily hazards and hardships of the journey. This courageous endeavor was a testament to Margaret's pioneering spirit and determination. Six years earlier, in 1867, an Illinois cattleman named Joseph McCoy opened the Chisholm Trail from South Texas to Abilene, kansas. Mccoy's idea was to drive cattle to railheads following a route outside settled areas and quarantine lines. Each subsequent year, the number of cattle being driven doubled from 35,000 animals the first season to 70,000, the next then to 140,000, and so on, reaching 600,000 four years later. And so on, reaching 600,000 four years later. Low rail freight prices in 1870 allowed drovers to obtain profits of as much as $25 per animal. Rail lines extended southward through Kansas, establishing new towns as shipping points. By 1872, wichita had become the primary town. It was 100 miles closer to Texas than Abilene, which was advantageous for tired cattle herders on the trail.

Speaker 1: 29:36

Wichita's history took a significant turn when Jesse Chisholm, accompanied by hunters and adventurers, arrived in 1863. His legacy was in marking the cattle trail from the King Ranch in South Texas to Kansas, famously known as the Chisholm Trail. This trail witnessed hundreds of thousands of cattle passing to the Santa Fe Railhead in Wichita. In 1872 alone, over 350,000 cattle were sold in Wichita, amounting to more than two million dollars a substantial sum. Then, 1868 saw the formation of the Wichita Town Company, a pivotal moment in the city's history. The vision and efforts of the company's founders were instrumental in shaping the city's future.

Speaker 1: 30:26

Wichita officially became a city of the third class on July 21, 1870. The following year, the city experienced a rapid surge in growth, largely due to the Texas cattle trade. The population boomed and by late 1872, wichita had ascended to the status of a second class city. The influx of cowboys in the 1870s, driving hundreds of thousands of cattle from Texas north to Wichita along the Chisholm Trail, further solidified Wichita's reputation as a rough-and-tumble cowtown. Great potential earnings were waiting at the trail's end, promising a rewarding outcome for the challenging journey. However, the unpredictability of these profits added a sense of suspense and uncertainty to the endeavor.

Speaker 1: 31:25

The Chisholm Trail started in South Texas with multiple feeder lines that converged north of San Antonio. In 1873, heavy rains led to swollen streams. At Waco, a new suspension bridge emerged as a significant development in transportation infrastructure, playing a crucial role in the cattle trade. Playing a crucial role in the cattle trade. The Waco Suspension Bridge, a 475-foot structure that spans the Brazos River, was a game-changer. Its construction began in 1868 and was completed in 1870 at a cost of about $140,000. The bridge served as a vital chisholm Trail crossing, facilitating the movement of cattle and people. At the time of its completion, it was the longest single-span suspension bridge west of the Mississippi. The bridge quickly paid for itself with toll fees, but in the wet year of 1873, it may have been a lifesaver for the Borlands who chose to use the bridge.

Speaker 1: 32:32

The team, displaying impressive adaptability, traveled north through unfamiliar territory, reaching Fort Worth where they found a newly constructed stage station. The stage station provided a welcome break and an opportunity to send and receive mail. Continuing, they arrived at the Red River Station, which overlooked the mighty river that marked the boundary with the Indian Territory, oklahoma. In Indian Territory, the Chisholm Trail wound across rolling lands with plenty of grass and timbered streams. The Borland team's approach to dealing with the challenges they faced in the breathtaking Oklahoma Territory, a land of vast beauty and untamed wilderness, can only be imagined based on the stories of other trail drivers who traveled the Chisholm Trail in those early years.

Speaker 1: 33:27

Despite the day on the trail, typically spanning 10 to 12 miles, giving the cattle time to graze and fatten as they journeyed to the market, margaret and her team showed remarkable resilience. Imagine Margaret riding her horse around the herds, basking in the mild breezes, the sunny blue skies and the multicolored carpets of spring flowers along the trail. As she rode ahead of the herd, she could look back at the sea of heads and horns, which looked as if a dark red velvet carpet with its wide border of green grass was stretched just as far as the eye could see. She could have hitched her horse to the back of the chuck wagon at times, or turned him loose among the Bermuda. She would have stopped to admire the wild berries ripening in clumps of vines and seen early in the morning, wet with dew, sparkling in the sunshine, as if sprinkled with diamond dust. As they drove the cattle further up the trail and the day brightened. As they drove the cattle further up the trail and the day brightened, margaret would have seen a mesmerizing array of wildflowers opening to the sun, nodding and blowing in the gentle breeze. The land would have been covered in a riot of brilliant orange, yellow, pink and blue blooms, a testament to the beauty of the natural world. With nature all around her, margaret would have encountered wild animals along the trail. Sometimes she would have enjoyed the cooling shade of the trees beside the occasional streams. The beauty of the natural world would have been a constant companion on her journey.

Speaker 1: 35:06

After over two months on the trail, the Borland crew finally arrived at their destination, the bustling cow town of Wichita, kansas. Accompanying them was the herd of cattle they had brought from their starting point to this newly developed cattle town. The news of her arrival and achievement as the first woman on the trail spread throughout Wichita, then at its peak as a shipping center. Newly built gates, chutes and runways were ready to receive cattle from Texas. There was also a holding area by a creek where the owners stayed with their animals while awaiting permission to cross the Arkansas River Bridge. In the 1873 season, over 400,000 Texas cattle streamed out of Wichita.

Speaker 1: 36:04

Just as in previous situations, margaret's grace and manners left a strong impression on the people she met. A newspaper column noted that she had become endeared to many acquaintances here because of her ladylike character. After spending two months in town, she became well known to the locals, who considered her a fair, honest and lovely lady. It was during this time that she fell seriously ill with trail fever. Her illness, a significant blow to the cattle industry, took the best of her and her eventual passing on July 5, 1873 at the planter house was a significant loss. Her illness and eventual passing underscored the challenges and risks those in the cattle industry faced.

Speaker 1: 37:14

That's it for now. Remember to check out our Wild West podcast shows on iTunes or wildwestpodcastbuzzsproutcom. You can also catch us on Facebook at facebookcom slash wildwestpodcast or on our YouTube channel at Wild West Podcast, mike King YouTube. So make sure you subscribe to our shows listed at the end of the description text of this podcast to receive notifications on all new episodes. Thanks for listening to our podcast and make sure you check out the Western Cattle Trail Association website at westerncattletAssociationcom. If you have any comments or want to add to our series, please write us at WildWestPodcast at gmailcom. We will share your thoughts as they apply to future episodes. Join us and the story of Dodge City the making of a cow town.