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Rodeo history is being made daily. It hasn’t always been that way. Back in 1866 when cowboys were first identified as ‘cowboys’ because the demands for cattle back east, after the Civil War, was so important. Trail drives began to happen*. There were no rodeos. Men were just getting back to their homes after our first major war that divided much of our country.
The eastern part of our country was ravaged by the war and had a major need for beef. Men returning from the war, some were just youngsters when they went off to battle - now becoming adults - were discovering they were at a loss as to providing for themselves or their families. The east’s need for beef was a major concern. Some far-sighted men realized the cattle that roamed freely in the southwestern part of our country could be the answer to the beef problem. Big bucks were being offered for beef at railheads - $30 to $40 a head. The nearest railheads were few in those days. The closest were in Kansas – Dodge City and Abilene. If they could round up those stray cattle and herd them to the nearest railroads to be shipped to the east --- they could make some good money. Suddenly, trail drives became important in the history of our West.
Men in Texas who had learned to lead, possibly in the war, began gathering others who were desperate for work. Cattle were gathered, and plans were being made to move huge herds north. Supplies and food were carried in wagons pulled by teams of horses. The herds were moved by men riding horses. Men were hired to cook for the horsemen. Horses were also gathered from mustangs and stray horses that were roaming in herds on these ranges. Someone had to break these horses to ride and men were beginning to be considered as good at breaking wild horses to ride. Others were better known for their abilities with ropes or whips at keeping cattle in a herd. Barbed wire fencing was unheard of at this time – it was open range.
Eventually these men were called cowboys. The only reference to the name ‘cowboy’ previously were young men who were ordered to ring cowbells during the Civil War in an attempt to fool their opposition in to thinking the men preparing for battle, were just some cattle, nothing to alarm the other side.
As the trail drives began in Texas, herding their cattle north, these men were gone for months, with the promise of good wages at the end of the trail. The first herds that traveled north were charged with finding the best routes to drive these massive herds of cattle. They searched to find the easiest places to cross a river, or where to find water and grass along the way - so necessary to keep the herd fattened until they got to their destination.
The weather also played a major part in these drives. Generally they were planned to begin in the Spring so sleet or snow and cold weather could be avoided. But spring and summer rainstorms, riddled with thunder and lightning, could start a stampede.
Generally it was necessary to find a grassy area to stop the herd for the night, where the cattle could graze then lay down to rest. The cowboys also had a chance to rest, too. Night herders often took turns, keeping the strays from wandering off. It was determined that a song sung by the herder would often settle a restless herd. It was not unusual for cowboys to sing in the evening around the campfire, as they settled down for the night. Sometimes their voices were accompanied by a harmonica carried by one of the herders, and once in a while a guitar or banjo was transported in the cook’s wagon, for a cowboy to strum. Eventually, the cook’s supply wagon was named ‘chuckwagon’. The cook, for his convenience, added to his wagon an addition of a wooden box with many drawers for various necessities he needed. Also a table, or work area that he could unfold which would give him an area in which to mix and prepare the next meal.
Every day or night was not always as calm and easy as cowboys would like it to be. Sometimes a cowboy would need a little excitement in his life. They would get a little testy and challenge one another to some sort of game. Who could throw a knife and hit a cactus, who could spit the farthest. Sometimes they would just tease one another. The farther down the trail they got, the more challenging the excitement would be. Eventually, when they reached their destination, or before, they were challenging each other to who see who could ride a bronc the best. Which cowboy could throw their rope and catch a steer the quickest. These are the talents these cowboys had learned on the trail or ranch. Some learned better than others and proving it was the basis of what eventually developed in to rodeos.
The trail drives played out when the east received enough beef and began breeding and raising their own. Trail drives only lasted from 1866 to 1893**. Cowboys from the drives all scattered. Some saved their earnings and started their own ranches. But there were many who did not want the responsibility of owning a ranch. They found owners who needed cowboys that had these roping and bronc riding abilities. By the 1890s cowboys were a well-known profession that ranchers found could help when owning vast land and lots of cattle. The pay was small, but a bunkhouse or warm place to sleep and meals were provided.
Sometimes, however, cowboys would be sent to distant pastures and would only return to the main ranch for supplies every month or so. It was a lonely life, that didn’t appeal to some cowboys. If they heard about a rodeo that wasn’t too far away and could leave the ranch they began entering in their chosen event. If they scored better than the others entered their prize money may have been as much as their wages for a month or two at the ranch.
Please understand this didn’t happen overnight. Very few rodeos were held at first, and sometimes it was just a horse race and a roping event. Or it was just a bunch of wild horses and a prize for the best bronc rider. There were no required events from one happening to the next and it wasn’t called a rodeo yet. In my books on the history of various events I tell some of the background and mention some specific early day happenings when these competitions were offered. These small communities that held a special gatherings, especially on the 4th of July, Independence Day in the United States, was something the entire community looked forward to, and that day just about every ranch, farm, retailer closed their doors and gathered – to celebrate the day chosen to announce our independence. And who, better, than a cowboy loves independence!!
The word ‘cowboy’ is now known all over the world. In 2022 regardless of where a person might travel there is some youngster in a foreign land that will express their desire to be a cowboy ‘when they grow up’. They may not know exactly what a cowboy really does but the attitude from stories, movies, television and more of a cowboy appeals to millions.
* One of the first trail drive was on the Chisholm Trail from DeWitt City to Kansas
** The last great Trail drive was up the Great Western Trail to Deadwood, South Dakota, on it’s way into Canada.
The eastern part of our country was ravaged by the war and had a major need for beef. Men returning from the war, some were just youngsters when they went off to battle - now becoming adults - were discovering they were at a loss as to providing for themselves or their families. The east’s need for beef was a major concern. Some far-sighted men realized the cattle that roamed freely in the southwestern part of our country could be the answer to the beef problem. Big bucks were being offered for beef at railheads - $30 to $40 a head. The nearest railheads were few in those days. The closest were in Kansas – Dodge City and Abilene. If they could round up those stray cattle and herd them to the nearest railroads to be shipped to the east --- they could make some good money. Suddenly, trail drives became important in the history of our West.
Men in Texas who had learned to lead, possibly in the war, began gathering others who were desperate for work. Cattle were gathered, and plans were being made to move huge herds north. Supplies and food were carried in wagons pulled by teams of horses. The herds were moved by men riding horses. Men were hired to cook for the horsemen. Horses were also gathered from mustangs and stray horses that were roaming in herds on these ranges. Someone had to break these horses to ride and men were beginning to be considered as good at breaking wild horses to ride. Others were better known for their abilities with ropes or whips at keeping cattle in a herd. Barbed wire fencing was unheard of at this time – it was open range.
Eventually these men were called cowboys. The only reference to the name ‘cowboy’ previously were young men who were ordered to ring cowbells during the Civil War in an attempt to fool their opposition in to thinking the men preparing for battle, were just some cattle, nothing to alarm the other side.
As the trail drives began in Texas, herding their cattle north, these men were gone for months, with the promise of good wages at the end of the trail. The first herds that traveled north were charged with finding the best routes to drive these massive herds of cattle. They searched to find the easiest places to cross a river, or where to find water and grass along the way - so necessary to keep the herd fattened until they got to their destination.
The weather also played a major part in these drives. Generally they were planned to begin in the Spring so sleet or snow and cold weather could be avoided. But spring and summer rainstorms, riddled with thunder and lightning, could start a stampede.
Generally it was necessary to find a grassy area to stop the herd for the night, where the cattle could graze then lay down to rest. The cowboys also had a chance to rest, too. Night herders often took turns, keeping the strays from wandering off. It was determined that a song sung by the herder would often settle a restless herd. It was not unusual for cowboys to sing in the evening around the campfire, as they settled down for the night. Sometimes their voices were accompanied by a harmonica carried by one of the herders, and once in a while a guitar or banjo was transported in the cook’s wagon, for a cowboy to strum. Eventually, the cook’s supply wagon was named ‘chuckwagon’. The cook, for his convenience, added to his wagon an addition of a wooden box with many drawers for various necessities he needed. Also a table, or work area that he could unfold which would give him an area in which to mix and prepare the next meal.
Every day or night was not always as calm and easy as cowboys would like it to be. Sometimes a cowboy would need a little excitement in his life. They would get a little testy and challenge one another to some sort of game. Who could throw a knife and hit a cactus, who could spit the farthest. Sometimes they would just tease one another. The farther down the trail they got, the more challenging the excitement would be. Eventually, when they reached their destination, or before, they were challenging each other to who see who could ride a bronc the best. Which cowboy could throw their rope and catch a steer the quickest. These are the talents these cowboys had learned on the trail or ranch. Some learned better than others and proving it was the basis of what eventually developed in to rodeos.
The trail drives played out when the east received enough beef and began breeding and raising their own. Trail drives only lasted from 1866 to 1893**. Cowboys from the drives all scattered. Some saved their earnings and started their own ranches. But there were many who did not want the responsibility of owning a ranch. They found owners who needed cowboys that had these roping and bronc riding abilities. By the 1890s cowboys were a well-known profession that ranchers found could help when owning vast land and lots of cattle. The pay was small, but a bunkhouse or warm place to sleep and meals were provided.
Sometimes, however, cowboys would be sent to distant pastures and would only return to the main ranch for supplies every month or so. It was a lonely life, that didn’t appeal to some cowboys. If they heard about a rodeo that wasn’t too far away and could leave the ranch they began entering in their chosen event. If they scored better than the others entered their prize money may have been as much as their wages for a month or two at the ranch.
Please understand this didn’t happen overnight. Very few rodeos were held at first, and sometimes it was just a horse race and a roping event. Or it was just a bunch of wild horses and a prize for the best bronc rider. There were no required events from one happening to the next and it wasn’t called a rodeo yet. In my books on the history of various events I tell some of the background and mention some specific early day happenings when these competitions were offered. These small communities that held a special gatherings, especially on the 4th of July, Independence Day in the United States, was something the entire community looked forward to, and that day just about every ranch, farm, retailer closed their doors and gathered – to celebrate the day chosen to announce our independence. And who, better, than a cowboy loves independence!!
The word ‘cowboy’ is now known all over the world. In 2022 regardless of where a person might travel there is some youngster in a foreign land that will express their desire to be a cowboy ‘when they grow up’. They may not know exactly what a cowboy really does but the attitude from stories, movies, television and more of a cowboy appeals to millions.
* One of the first trail drive was on the Chisholm Trail from DeWitt City to Kansas
** The last great Trail drive was up the Great Western Trail to Deadwood, South Dakota, on it’s way into Canada.
A New Year – But Rodeo History Revisited
Well hello, I just took down my Christmas letter here from Foghorn Clancy printed years ago. I am hurrying because Easter is just a few weeks away. Time flies when I am having fun, and although we have been through a dreadful time with the pandemic and such, I still find time to research and find wonderful things to write about. I’ve turned into a rodeo historian because I have been at it so long and can’t quit! But let me tell you, once I got this title, given me by some important western organizations, it made me realize how much I don’t know about rodeo history!! I really won’t ever finish this task, which gives me a real good feeling. I now know what I will be doing ‘when I grow up’!
I do feel that the things written about the history of rodeo are important to some people, and these people are important to me. It may be a small group when you consider the number of people in this universe, but they are my kind of people. They love the land, and the animals that roam it. They are genuine in their nature, and never try to be someone they are not. Being a westerner is all that is important to them. But they strive to do the best they can, whether it is in a rodeo arena riding a bronc or tying a calf or throwing down a steer or rounding a barrel. They may be in the middle of a pasture counting their herd and making sure they are sound. Or simply watching the sun rise or set from the top of a horse, their best friend. Regardless, it’s a great way of life, and I’m sad for the people who never have had the opportunity to experience it because they’ve spent their time in a cement jungle.
I’m currently researching the history of the rodeos that were held in Madison Square Garden, Boston Garden, and in London, England, between 1922 until 1959. For the last 30 years I have felt that the Madison Square Garden rodeo was the ‘unofficial predecessor to the PRCA National Finals Rodeo. Not because it was just for the top fifteen in each event, but it was at the end of the rodeo season each year, plus the top fifteen and over a hundred more cowboys and cowgirls were there. It was such fun and good money, too. What a way to end the season.
The book is not just about those rodeos, but it is also about the cowboys and cowgirls that were there to compete, perform and experience something a bit different than at the smaller rodeos, and the west. At first they were treated like celebrities and wined and dined in an atmosphere no westerner would choose, but it was appreciated. It was a new way and a new area in which to promote rodeo, and the people that live it.
So far I’ve spent a year on the research and the writing, but I had collected bits of information and photographs during previous years on these rodeos. They are a big part of the evolution of our sport, as are the people that lived it. I still have a lot to do before this project is finished. Back in those days, there were very few people, or written material, that had the foresight to keep records. I will name Foghorn Clancy as a rodeo person who was forward thinking and did some important things to preserve some of the history of rodeo. This includes his book, “My 50 Years in Rodeo”, as well as his column written in Hoofs & Horns monthly, and later his books on Rodeo Records.
I want to thank everyone that comes to my website and is interested in reading what I write or uncover from the past. I hope your life is busy and fulfilling and that you may find our world may change in many ways, some due to the pandemic, but other ways as well. But one thing never changes, and that is our beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Happy trails!
I do feel that the things written about the history of rodeo are important to some people, and these people are important to me. It may be a small group when you consider the number of people in this universe, but they are my kind of people. They love the land, and the animals that roam it. They are genuine in their nature, and never try to be someone they are not. Being a westerner is all that is important to them. But they strive to do the best they can, whether it is in a rodeo arena riding a bronc or tying a calf or throwing down a steer or rounding a barrel. They may be in the middle of a pasture counting their herd and making sure they are sound. Or simply watching the sun rise or set from the top of a horse, their best friend. Regardless, it’s a great way of life, and I’m sad for the people who never have had the opportunity to experience it because they’ve spent their time in a cement jungle.
I’m currently researching the history of the rodeos that were held in Madison Square Garden, Boston Garden, and in London, England, between 1922 until 1959. For the last 30 years I have felt that the Madison Square Garden rodeo was the ‘unofficial predecessor to the PRCA National Finals Rodeo. Not because it was just for the top fifteen in each event, but it was at the end of the rodeo season each year, plus the top fifteen and over a hundred more cowboys and cowgirls were there. It was such fun and good money, too. What a way to end the season.
The book is not just about those rodeos, but it is also about the cowboys and cowgirls that were there to compete, perform and experience something a bit different than at the smaller rodeos, and the west. At first they were treated like celebrities and wined and dined in an atmosphere no westerner would choose, but it was appreciated. It was a new way and a new area in which to promote rodeo, and the people that live it.
So far I’ve spent a year on the research and the writing, but I had collected bits of information and photographs during previous years on these rodeos. They are a big part of the evolution of our sport, as are the people that lived it. I still have a lot to do before this project is finished. Back in those days, there were very few people, or written material, that had the foresight to keep records. I will name Foghorn Clancy as a rodeo person who was forward thinking and did some important things to preserve some of the history of rodeo. This includes his book, “My 50 Years in Rodeo”, as well as his column written in Hoofs & Horns monthly, and later his books on Rodeo Records.
I want to thank everyone that comes to my website and is interested in reading what I write or uncover from the past. I hope your life is busy and fulfilling and that you may find our world may change in many ways, some due to the pandemic, but other ways as well. But one thing never changes, and that is our beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Happy trails!
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