The Chuck Wagon and Texas Cattle Drives Fourth Grade Social Studies

The Chuck Wagon Invented and designed by Charles Goodnight Before the wagon, many cowboys carried their own food in sacks or in their saddle bags. When drives became longer, a pack mule was used to carry the food. Finally, an oxcart was used but the oxen were too slow.

The Chuck Wagon In 1866, Charles Goodnight bought the gear of an Army wagon that had axles of iron instead of wood. Goodnight’s wagon was covered with canvas over bows. In front were supplies, a barrel of water, bedding and tools. In the rear was the chuck box. The chuck box had several drawers for utensils and food. The hinged door of the chuck box came down atop a folding leg to become a work table or counter space for the cook.

Under the bottom of the wagon was a cowhide sling called a cooney Under the bottom of the wagon was a cowhide sling called a cooney. (in Spanish “cuna” means cradle). Some cowboys called it the “possum belly”. This was where the cook stored firewood or sticks to use for his cooking fire.

The Chuck Wagon

The Chuck Wagon Before the trail drives, the cook had to stock the wagon with enough food to last one or two months. Food for the trail had to last without spoiling during long, hot days. There was no refrigeration to keep it fresh. There were only a few foods that would not spoil, so cowboys ate the same kind of meals over and over again. Meals were cooked over a campfire in a pot that hung from a pothook above the fire or they used a Dutch Oven.

The Cowboy’s Meals Sample Trail Menu Breakfast: bread or biscuits, coffee Lunch: chili or stew, bread, water Supper: steak and beans, potatoes with gravy, biscuits, water and coffee

Texas Cattle Drives By the 1820s, many American settlers moved west to become ranchers. The newcomers saw a great business opportunity in gathering the longhorn cattle and selling it to markets in the east. Since there was no refrigeration in the 1800s, the cattle had to be taken live to the cities. These cities had railway stations and they also became cattle towns.

Texas Cattle Drives

Texas Cattle Drives Ranchers hired cowboys to guide the cattle on the long walk to the cattle towns. The walk was known as a cattle drive or trail drive. It took about 7-10 cowboys to watch over 1,000 head of cattle on the trail. Every cowboy had an important role. The trail boss was in charge of all the cowboys and cattle; point riders led the herd; swing riders rode alongside cattle to turn them in the right direction; flank riders kept the herd from spreading out; drag riders rode behind the herd to keep the cattle moving; wranglers were in charge of remuda (extra horses); the cook drove the chuck wagon.

Dangers on the Trail Wolves, bears, scorpions, and rattlesnakes Blizzards and lack of water The biggest danger was a stampede. Stampedes often occurred at night, when the cattle could not see what was around them. During a stampede, frightened cattle ran off in all directions.

Fun on the Trail Cowboys worked hard, but they liked to have fun too. They played dominoes or cards. Cowboys competed in riding contests which helped them practice handling horses and roping cattle. Singing, humming, and whistling were part of the every day life of cowboys. Some cowboys played instruments such as the harmonica, fiddle, or guitar. After supper, cowboys would gather around the campfire to tell tall tales (exaggerated stories).

Arriving at the Cattle Town The cattle trails ended at cattle towns. Cattle towns were also known as boomtowns, because they boomed or grew quickly. Cattle towns were busy when cowboys arrived. The cowboys were paid $100 at the end of the trail drive and they were ready to spend their money.

Texas Cattle Drives Most famous trails: Chisholm Trail, Shawnee/Sedalia Trail, Goodnight-Loving Trail and Western Trail.

Texas Cattle Drives Trail Name From City To City Years of Existence Chisholm San Antonio, Texas Abilene, Kansas Ellsworth, Kansas 1867-1884 Goodnight - Loving Young County, Texas Fort Summer, New Mexico 1866 – 1880s Western Brownsville, Texas Dodge City, KS 1874 – 1890s Shawnee/ Sedalia Waco, St. Louis, Missouri Sedalia, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri 1840s – 1860s

End of Trail Drives By the end of 1800s, people began to settle the land. Cattle drivers were unpopular with settlers. Settlers started putting barbed wire fences. Fences made it difficult for cowboys to bring herd of cattle across the west. Many cattle trails were blocked by fences.