Cattle Becomes Big Business Mexican ranchers taught American settlers in SW how to handle cattle – Longhorn cattle Prior to Civil War, not huge demand for western beef Railroads and urban growth increased demand – Transcontinental railroad Central Pacific and Union Pacific connected at Promontory, Utah in 1869 – Chicago Union Stockyards opened in 1865

From range to Market Cowboys drove herds to rail towns to ship cattle east – Less than 2 decades, 6 million head of cattle driven to markets 1880s-Dry summers and harsh winters led to decline in cattle – Invention of barbed wire closed the open range "In person the cowboys were mostly medium-sized men... quick and wiry, and as a rule very good-natured; in fact, it did not pay to be anything else. In character, their like never was or will be again." Teddy Blue Abbott