A certain generation of American kids grew up on Hollywood’s version of the American Western, featuring Caucasian cowboys and gunfights with Mexicans and Indians, who were almost always the bad guys. But in this ethnic mix of people, where were the people of African descent? In Hollywood westerns they were conspicuously absent. In our minds, this fictional version became fact and then became actual history.
But the truth is that in the reality of the American West following the Civil War, the black cowboy played a key role. It is estimated that one out of four cowboys on the western frontier was black. In fact, for the years 1865 through the 1880s (the heyday of cattle drives), being a cowboy was one of the few professions a former slave could pursue that provided for a life of relative dignity, greater opportunity, more personal safety, and some equality and respect, over the life of a sharecropper in the South.
Back in Africa a number of tribesmen from countries like Gambia were cattle herders and had the necessary skills for controlling cattle by using herding dogs, whips, and salt. They did this on foot. When kidnapped into slavery and brought to the United States, these men became prized for their abilities with cattle.
There were several regions in the South where these herdsmen were utilized by slave-holding plantation owners and ranchers.
Sections of the lower South, such as pine barrens, marshes, and tall grass savannahs across South Carolina, Georgia, northern Florida, and into the Gulf states, provided grazing land for cattle. The plantation owners would send out groups of slaves to control and drive their cattle in these areas. The further westward these owner-ranchers moved, the greater numbers of slaves would escape into Mexico. There, they learned even more techniques, such as horseback riding and roping cattle, from the Mexican vaqueros. These escaped slaves became some of the best cowboys on Texas ranches and in cattle drives.
A second group of escaped slaves made their way into Seminole Territory in southern Florida. There, they practiced their trade of herding cattle on the savannahs. Many went to Oklahoma with the Seminoles and some ended up in Mexico to fight with the Mexican army.
A third and large group of escaped or former slaves migrated to the coastal prairies along the Gulf of Mexico from Louisiana to locations in Texas along the Sabine and Guadalupe rivers. In this region, black cowboys predominated in ranching.
After the Civil War, all of these now emancipated men were able to get paying jobs on Texas ranches and on cattle drives to northern stockyards in Kansas, Colorado, the Dakotas, and Wyoming. It is estimated that there were 9,000 to 15,000 black cowboys, representing 25 percent of all cowboys. Working alongside white, Indian, and Mexican cowboys, they shared the same working conditions and performed the same jobs (except being trail boss). While prejudice and bigotry still existed toward people of African descent, the black cowboy could attain a better life than a black sharecropper in the south. This is because his white counterparts depended on him. They lived, worked, ate, and slept together. A crew would consist of a trail boss, a horse wrangler, a cook and eight cowboys. The average crew would have two to three black men. Their trip north took two to three months.
Some black cowboys later joined rodeos after the heyday of cattle drives. Others continued to work on ranches or bought their own land. Some became federal officers in Indian Territory. A number became Pullman porters on the railroads that had made cattle drives obsolete.
History
GENEALOGY: Black cowboys played a key role in history
- History
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
What was expected to be a close match between two Terre Haute golfers for the 1927 Indiana Amateur Golf championship turned out to be a cakewalk.
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
Spring to me means putting away heavy winter sweaters and bringing out fun lighter sundresses. It also means the possibility of shopping for a new dress or even new shoes.
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
The primary style of old handwriting in the mid 1700s through the 1800s is sometimes called Copperplate or English Round Hand. This style of writing is much more recognizable and readable than the older Secretary Hand style discussed last week, and it is much less ornate as well.
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
At least 700 teachers were absent from their Vigo County School Corp. schools as part of a job action to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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‘Far-sound’ rings in a new era
This week’s Historic Treasure is an invention that changed life, as we know it in a great way, the telephone.
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Historical perspective: Venard: soldier in the War of 1812
His name was Stephen Venard. For more than 50 years he resided in Terre Haute, without fanfare, with his wife and a daughter. Much of that time was spent in the 400 block on N. First St.
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Looking Back: 2003: Mark Cook brings blues home
Mark Cook returned to Terre Haute to play with fellow musicians in the Cook-N-Blues group at Brazil and Terre Haute.
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Historical perspective: Attempted carriage-jacking thwarted
Nineteenth century newspapers covered several topics that might astonish current readers. For example, the front page of the Terre Haute Weekly Gazette on Nov. 16, 1878 – 135 years ago – reported on the bold attempt by four “villains” to rob two women riding in a carriage immediately west of the fairgrounds at Brown and Wabash avenues:
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Genealogy: Dutchman seeks family of missing soldier
Query: I live in the Netherlands and recently I have adopted the name of American PFC Joseph P. Nelson at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. He was killed in action on Dec. 5, 1944, and his name is on the Walls of the Missing.
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Sewing Society keeps hospital in linen, supplies
When Tracy Pruitt came across a small box of old ledgers and receipt books recently, his first impulse was to throw it away. But he decided to sit down and examine its contents. In doing so, he discovered a story.
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Looking Back: 1963: Officials prepare for disaster
City officials were studying survival plans in case of a natural disaster or attack by an enemy source. Gilbert Leonard was the director of Vigo County Defense.
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Genealogy: Gold Star Honor Roll: Vigo County
This week continues with the Gold Star Honor Roll (those who died in WW I) from the Wabash Valley. The Vigo County list is long and will be run in three parts.
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River boat models capture glory of former culture
In the River portion of the latest exhibit at the Vigo County Historical Society museum are two models of river paddle boats created by Alfred F. Nehf.
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Historical perspective: Babe Holland: advocate for equality
Wherever Terre Haute native William Sylvester Holland roamed, he made an impact.
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Historical Perspective: Terre Haute’s architectural heritage
Much more than is commonly recognized, Terre Haute has a rich and diverse legacy of landscapes designed by some of the nation’s most talented architects.
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Genealogy: A search for names from broken stones
This week there is a query about an old cemetery in Parke County, that is believed to have been destroyed:
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Hidden treasures: Laborers phased out by machines
Today’s historical treasure will intone to many people an early experience of practical labor. For others, this artifact might lack a contextual notion.
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Looking back: 2003: Two men rob Terre Haute First National Bank
Two men robbed Terre Haute First National Bank’s banking center at Southland Plaza, South Seventh Street and Margaret Avenue. It was the first bank robbery in Terre Haute since November 2000.
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Interurban makes city Crossroads of America
Electric transportation is not a new technology. With the arrival of the electric car we are reminded that electric technology has a long history in Terre Haute.
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The tale of the Wabash River
On March 14, 1913, the Indiana General Assembly adopted “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away,” by Terre Haute native Paul Dresser, as Indiana’s state song.
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