Slide 1

The Cowboy Slide 2 Bringing the Cattle to North America Cattle and Horses came from Spain on Columbus second voyage in 1494. Map of Columbus second voyage from Spain. Livestock first came to these islands and were later transported to Mexico. Slide 3 These Cattle would produce: The Spanish Fighting Bull The Texas Longhorn Slide 4 The Mexican Cowboy Vaquero Consisted mainly of Indians Low-class position Predecessor to the American Cowboy Influenced cowboy dress and dialect Slide 5 The Texas Cowboy By 1830- 100,000 cattle roamed Texas By 1860- 3.5 million cattle roamed Texas Slide 6 Cowboy Days began after the Civil War. Freedmen and others moved to Texas to herd all the unbranded cattle. 1/3 American Cowboys were: Native American Black Mexican Slide 7 Before the Drive Open Range Cattle from all ranches grazed together Branding Essential to distinguish between cattle Slide 8 Slide 9 Rustlers Tried to steal unbranded cattle Roundup Every spring, the cowboys herd all the cattle together from the range and brand the new calves. Slide 10 Round UP Slide 11 Positions of an Outfit Boss - Foreman Put outfit together Paid $125 a month Rode ahead of the herd Decided which trail to take Collected bills of sale for livestock Slide 12 Cowboy Paid $25 - $40 a month Worked the herd Three different positions during the drive Segundo- Even with the boss Segundo Swing behind the boss Swing Flank behind the swing Flank Drag behind the herd (usually the least experienced) Drag Slide 13 Slide 14 Wrangler Youngest of an Outfit Took care of the Remuda (horse herd) Each cowboy took three to four horses with him on a drive. Slide 15 The Cook Older than the cowboys More experienced than the cowboys Paid more than the cowboys Traveled a mile ahead of the herd with the Chuckwagon Chuckwagon Found camp Prepared all meals (3:00 am, Noon, Evening) Took on other odd jobs: Doctor Tailor Barber Slide 16 Slide 17 Slide 18 The Drive At first they traveled about 25 miles a day. They then Traveled 10-15 miles a day Allowed plenty of grazing time for cattle to stay fat Trip took 4-6 months Slide 19 Cowboy songs Entertainment for lonely days Kept cattle calm Slide 20 Trails The Western The Chisholm Goodnight-Loving Slide 21 Slide 22 Cow Towns Emerged as a result of the drives. Abilene Dodge City Ellsworth Slide 23 Cowboy Apparel Slide 24 Cowboy Hat Boots Chaps Shirt Lariat Bandana Gun Saddle Slide 25 Cowboy Hat Besides his horse, this was his most prized possession. It was based off the Sombrero used by vaqueros Slide 26 The Shirt Usually made of cotton. No pockets. If a cowboy wanted pockets, he wore a vest. Slide 27 The Saddle Could weigh up to 40 pounds A cowboy wasnt afraid to spend a months wages on a nice one. At the end of a drive, a cowboy might sell his horse, but never his saddle. Slide 28 The Bandana A Bandana was used to keep the dust out of a cowboys face, or it was worn underneath the cowboy hat. Slide 29 Chaps Chaps are like seatless trousers. They protect a cowboy From the elements, brush, and rope burns. Slide 30 The Gun A cowboy hardly ever carried a gun. It was too much gear for a hard days work. If they did carry a gun however, it was the famous, Colt.45 Revolver. It shoots six times before having to reload. Generally used for hunting meals rather than fighting Indians. Slide 31 Boots and Spurs Boots and Spurs Boots had high heels to keep the foot in the stirrup. Spurs were attached to the boot and used to encourage the horse to move. Slide 32 The Lariat Lariat comes from the Spanish word la reata. Made of twisted grass or raw hide. Unlike a gun, a cowboy was never seen without his lariat. Slide 33 The Horse Slide 34 A cowboys horse was wild for its first couple years. After being caught, a bronco buster was appointed to tame the animal. bronco busterbronco buster This tradition paved the way to the rodeo. Slide 35 The Bronco Buster Slide 36 Difficulties to the Job Animals try to break lose and head back to the homeland Lack of water The elements: dust, rain, wind, storm Lack of sleep Other animals: snakes, coyotes, etc... Slide 37 But the biggest danger was a STAMPEDE. It could mean: Loss of cattle Death And then there was the matter of crossing through Slide 38 Indian Territory Slide 39 Indians did not like cowboys crossing over their land. These conflicts, however, rarely ended in gunfights. Most of the time cowboys just paid a toll for every cow that crossed the land. Slide 40 End of the Cowboy Days What brought the cowboy days to a halt? Harsh winter of 1886-1887 Expansion of the Railroads Sheep herders move east Barbed Wire