Changes on the Western Frontier Chapter 5 Section 1: Cultures Clash on the Prairie Cowboys and Legends Section 2: Settling on the Great Plains Section 3: Farmers and the Populist Movement

Cattle Become Big Business The introduction of horses and cattle in the New World by the Spanish created the need for the 1 st Cowboys in Mexico. The first cowboys were Native Aztec prisoners. Vaqueros = Spanish for cowboy Many aspects of cowboy culture – food, clothing, and vocabulary- are borrowed from the Spanish ranchers of Mexico

Longhorn Sturdy, long-horned, short-tempered breed Accustom to the dry grasslands of southern Spain. Resistant to disease Very lean and not the highest quality of beef

Spanish Vaquero- Meaning -American Cowboy Spurs Chaparreras Charqui Caballo Bronco Mestẽnos Rancho Corral Rodeo Lareata Spurs Chaps Jerky Bronco or Bronc Mustang Ranch Corral Rodeo Lariat Metal spurs used to control horse Leather overalls to protect legs from brush Dried strips of meat Rough horse Stray or wild horse Cattle farm Holding pen for cattle Competition Rope

Chaps Pronounced correctly as "shaps", they're short for chaparejos (shap-ar-EH-hos), which were another important cowboy tool. These leather britches or wrap-around leggings were worn to prevent injury to the legs (and clothing) while rounding up cattle. Popular types of chaps were woollies and shotguns.

American Cowboy’s Innovation Cowboy boots – * Pointed toes and high heels Bandanna – * Multi-purpose Six – Shooter – * Symbol of the American West Cowboy Hat – *Cowboy’s location dictated the type of hat worn

Bandana The cowboy kerchief or bandana was another thing one could not be a cowboy without. The bandana had many uses, most notably as a dust mask while driving cattle kicking up dirt, as earmuffs in cold weather, as protection from sunburn on the neck, as a pot holder for hot pots or branding irons, as prevention against snow blindness in winter, a tourniquet or sling in case of injury and just in case they were planning to rob the stage, it made a nifty mask!. Red was the most common color and it could be made of silk, cotton or linen. Much like today, the bandana was generally folded into a triangle and tied around the neck, but with the knot in the back.

The Truth About Cowboys Myth – All cowboys were white males Truth – 25% were African American and 12% were Mexican or Native American Myth – Cowboys fought and shot villains Truth – Cowboys more likely to die from a riding accident or pneumonia than in an ambush by outlaws Myth – Cowboys were hard drinkers, gamblers, and cursed a lot. Truth – Most employers forbid such conduct. Myth – Cowboys led exciting, wild life-styles, full of adventure Truth – The average cowboy was broken down by the time they were 40 by working hour days on the ranch and hour days on the trail Myth – Cowboys participated in gun fights at high noon. Truth – They may have carried a gun, but probably never shot anyone. Myth – Good guys wore white hats and bad guys wore black hats Truth – Cowboys wore all types and colors of hats

Life of the Cowboy Round Up Spring Round – Up: Cowboys rode the range of the ranch in search of longhorns Penning – Cowboys pen the animals in corrals until they are hungry enough to only graze when turned loose Sorting – Cowboys sort animals with ranchers brand and look for new calves Branding – Cowboys brand new animals Click to view picture gallery:

Life of the Cowboy The Long Drive Long Drive – overland trip from the ranches of Texas to the shipping yards in Kansas and other states. Cowboys – 1 cowboy for every head of cattle (Receive $1 a day in pay) Cook – In charge of chuck wagon (Received $35 to $50 a month) Wrangler – took care of cowboys horses (Received less than $1 a day) Trail Boss – In charge of the long drive (Received $100 a month)

Life is Hard Rode all day and slept very little Primitive food: beans, bacon, bread, and coffee Slept on ground Bathed in rivers infrequently Dangerous Job –Stampede –River crossings –Lightening

Importance of the Railroad Before the Civil War few cattle were taken from Texas ranches due to poor transportation and dangerous conditions. After the Civil War the demand in eastern cities exploded because of the increase in immigration. Chicago meat packing plants could process the beef if they could find a way to transport the cattle. By 1866, the railroad had reached Sedalia, Missouri, but the trail was very hazardous.

Joseph McCoy & Abilene, KS Joseph McCoy built a cattle shipping yard in Abilene, Kansas, along the Kansas Pacific Railroad in ,000 head of cattle shipped out in the 1 st year and 75,000 in the 2 nd year

Cattle Trails Sedalia / Baxter Springs Trail Chisholm Trail Western Trail Goodnight – Loving Trail Click to view the map of the Cattle Trails:

Kansas Cattle Towns Abilene Newton Wichita Caldwell Ellsworth Dodge City

The End of the Cattle Frontier 1. Overgrazing of Land *too many animals on the land destroyed the grass 2. Extended Bad Weather *1883 Drought *1887 Worst Blizzard in Am. History 68 degrees below with 60 mile an hour winds 3 days of snow at 1 inch an hour 40% - 90% of the livestock were lost in what is known as the “Die Up” 3. Invention of Barbed Wire *Joseph Glidden introduced barbed wire fencing 1874 *Ranchers started using higher quality cattle and running smaller herds that required more care and fencing *Significant because barbed wire was the major factor in transforming the open plains into a series of fenced in ranches and farms. Ended the Era of the Wide-Open West.

Wild West Personalities Annie Oakley – Little Sure Shot Calamity Jane Wild Bill Hickok Buffalo Bill Cody

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