Page 25 - All About History - Issue 26-15

Animals & Man

CONTINUE THE CATTLE DRIVE

One of the main tasks for a cowboy during the
summer was to go on the cattle drive, or long drive.
After the civil war, Texas had an abundance of
cattle that could be sold elsewhere in the country
for high profits. It was the cowboy’s job to drive
these cattle safely to their destination, usually
the railroad to Chicago. Typically there were
about 3,000 cattle on these drives, which needed
the help of at least ten cowboys. They were also
A calf worth $5 in Texas accompanied by a wrangler, who looked after the
could be sold for as much horses, and a cook.
as $60 in Chicago
AVOID DEATH, IF POSSIBLE

Although it has been romanticised in films and
other media, being a cowboy was a dirty, tough
and perilous, sometimes even fatal, job. While on
the march the cowboys faced relentless danger,
especially from the threat of stampedes and bad
weather. Anything from a thunderclap to a twig
breaking could cause the cattle to stampede, and
getting caught in the middle of the crush posed the
very real possibility of death.
KEEP WATCH FOR THIEVES

As well as constantly attempting to control the
cattle and reduce the risk of stampedes, cowboys
on the long drive had to continually remain on
the watch for thieves, who were known as ‘cattle
rustlers’. Despite Hollywood portrayals, conflicts
between cowboys and Native Americans were
not frequent, and many tribes even set up a toll
system, allowing the cowboys to pass through their
territory safely for a small fee.

SPEND YOUR WAGES

When the long drive was over and the cattle had
been safely delivered to their destination, the
cowboys would receive their much-deserved pay,
which could be as much as $90. After following
strict no gambling and drinking rules on the
drive, they were finally free to let off steam at the
saloons and gambling halls. Despite common belief,
although things could get rowdy, cowboys were
very rarely violent, and any man who stepped out
of line would be punished swiftly and harshly.

PLAY PRACTICAL JOKES

Despite the serious and dangerous nature of their
jobs, practical jokes such as goading a fellow
cowboy’s horse while he was preoccupied or
putting uncomfortable items inside another
man’s boots were a favourite among cowboys.
They had to be careful though – if a practical
joke broke a rule or went too far, a kangaroo
court could be set up for the offender to be
tried in a mock trial. Those found guilty could
be made to suffer humiliating punishments, like
Cowboys had to be on constant being thrown in the horse trough.
look out for cattle rustlers
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