OL Warm-Up Tues/Wed Get out a sheet of notebook paper Write “Cowboy Notes” across top Number 1-8 You are going to write the statement on slide, and then T or F below it

1. The cowboy life was glamorous.

Myth: It was very difficult working 18- hour days and the long trail rides were sometimes boring

2. Most cowboys had small or medium physical frames.

Truth: Large men were too heavy to ride mustangs.

3. A cowboy would ride his favorite horse all day.

Myth: Cowboys would ride a string of horses depending on what task was at hand

4. Many Texas cowboys were Mexican or African-American.

Truth: During the Cowboy Era ( ) one sixth of the cowboys were Mexican, and many others were African-American or Native American.

5. Most Texas cowboys were older, experienced wranglers.

Myth: Most cowboys were young men who learned on the job.

6. Women could not be cowboys.

Myth: Several women owned ranches and ran their own cattle drives, including Amanda Burks and Lizzie Johnson.

7. Cowboys often had to fight off Native Americans.

Myth: Cowboys rarely if ever fought Native Americans.

8. The word “cowboy” was invented in Texas.

Myth: Actually, the job of a “cowboy” came from the Mexican and Spanish “vaquero.” Many cowboy words and practices come from the Spanish language and Mexican culture.

Cowboy Notes Essential Questions: Identify the development of the cattle industry from its Spanish beginnings Identify myths and realities of the cowboy way of life

Spanish Origins Idea of ranching in TX started in the 1500’s by the Spanish. The Spanish brought the first cattle to TX. TX was perfect for cattle because of the abundance of water, good climate and an abundant supply of grasslands.

Spanish Origins… The Spanish branded their cattle to show ownership. Spanish cowboys, called vaqueros, worked on ranches. Americans learned how to ride, rope and dress (spurs/chaps) from the Spanish. Richard King, a New Yorker, moved to TX & started the largest working ranch in the world in south TX called the King Ranch.

Cattle to Market Getting cattle to market for top dollar created problems. Railroads were destroyed during the Civil War cutting off the north from the south. TXN ranchers had to get their cattle to the east in order to get more money per head. In TX cattle were worth $4- $10 per head and in the east $40 per head.

Cattle Drives Cattle drive- moving huge herds of cattle controlled by a few dozen men. Trails began in south TX and ended in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Wyoming. Trails such as the Chisolm, Great Western, Goodnight-Loving and Sedalia were the most famous. Farmers complained that the cattle were destroying their crops, spreading disease which caused the trails to go farther west and barbed wire fences were being cut.

Cattle Drives… Life on a cattle drive was difficult: Long days, dirty, tiring and on average one short break before sundown. Covered miles daily. At night cowboys were required to watch over the herd to keep them calm. There were dangers: raiding Indians, stampedes, cattle rustlers & swollen rivers. About 10% of the cattle died along the drive. By the late 1800’s cattle drives disappeared to falling prices, barbed wire fences and quarantines.