Saw this post this morning on X by Traces of Texas:

quote:

The Texas quote of the day comes from the legendary Charles Goodnight:

"The cowboy of the old days is the most misunderstood man on earth. Few young people of the younger generation realize that the Western men ---- the cowboys ---- were as brave and as chivalrous as it is possible to be. Bullies and tyrants were unknown among them. They kept their places around a herd and under all circumstances; and if they had to fight they were always ready. Timid men were not known among them ---- the cowboy life did not fit the timid. Today many of the richest and greatest men of Texas were formerly cowboys. Of the hands I employed there are now at least three millionaires. Few cowboys have been tried for crimes than any other class of men."

----- "Managing a Trail Herd," Charles Goodnight, "Southwestern Historical Quarterly," 1928

Source

When Larry McMurtry wrote the book Lonesome Dove, he based the 2 main characters on the history of the 2 men Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving and their opening of the Goodnight-Loving Trail. Similar to the story Oliver Loving died from a wound sustained in an indian attack on a drive. Goodnight brought him back to Texas and he is buried in Weatherford, TX.

His Grandson, Oliver Loving III, built a ranch just north and west of Weatherford between Olney and Jacksboro. The town Loving, TX was founded on the edge of the ranch at a railway water stop.

One of my great grandfathers Martin Kennard, a total illiterate horseman who found his way to that part of the world after the oil-boom played out in Burkburnett, TX in the early 1900s (He was making a living in that time as a teaming contractor setting up oil derricks with teams of mules. I could write a book about him as he was one of my childhood heroes and lived a hard-poor but storied life.)…got a job on the Loving Ranch riding the rough-string and breaking the harness stock. Somehow he and Oliver Loving III got to be friends and became lifelong friends. One of the habits of their friendship actually eventually killed my great grandfather…but that is a story for another time.


This is my great grandfather Martin Kennard. One of the toughest men to walk the earth, still riding broncs in his 70’s. I named my son Martin Easter after him. This pic was taken around 1908 when he was ~18yrs old.

If only the pictures could talk
In Todays day and age, we have it so easy it’s actually scary

quote:

Originally posted by Bivoj:
If only the pictures could talk
In Todays day and age, we have it so easy it’s actually scary

That is so true. Luxury for these men would be hardship for those of today.

It is hilarious that the archetypical American Hero is the cowboy, a migrant farm worker.

Why do the movies and TV shows never mention how many of them weren't white?

Same reason they don’t mention white slaves.

Any history of the cattle drive days I read, told of black, hispanic and mixed indian blood cowboys, right beside the white ones.

quote:

Originally posted by theback40:
Any history of the cattle drive days I read, told of black, hispanic and mixed indian blood cowboys, right beside the white ones.

Yep, about 25% freed slaves, they just didn't make it into the myths.

I have seen some early pictures that showed blacks and vaqueros in the same pictures as the white trail boss.
I'm not much for westerns, but I have seen lonesome Dove and John waynes "cowboys". They both had non-whites portrayed as cowboys.

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:
It is hilarious that the archetypical American Hero is the cowboy, a migrant farm worker.

Why do the movies and TV shows never mention how many of them weren't white?

I don't know of the Buffalo Soldiers by chance.

They were legend.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/buffalo-soldiers

Hilarious, is you coming across like ranching and farming is somehow unworthy of notoriety.

Enjoy your Christmas dinner, asshole.


.

Thanks for the thread Doc Easter.

Bivoj, 100%


.

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas "Ty" Beaham:

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:
It is hilarious that the archetypical American Hero is the cowboy, a migrant farm worker.

Why do the movies and TV shows never mention how many of them weren't white?

I don't know of the Buffalo Soldiers by chance.

They were legend.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/buffalo-soldiers

Hilarious, is you coming across like ranching and farming is somehow unworthy of notoriety.

Enjoy your Christmas dinner, asshole.


.

Ranching and farming are honorable pursuits as long as they are undertaken honorably.

Very few endeavors in America have more bullshit myths wrapped around them.

We just won't talk about the rugged individualists who primarily farm government subsidies...

Do you think all that chow you ate in the service came from a private farm?

Or, do you think, you may have eaten a radish or two that were raised unhonorably?

Wow, fueled by unhonorable food, not sure I can look at the Armed Services in the same way anymore.


.

As Ty would know, the subsidies are all part of the government having their nose in what should be a free market.
They take away here, then give back over there. Combine that with allocations to outside markets, makes for a PITA. I dont know any ag base that doesnt wish the gov got the hell out of our way.

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas "Ty" Beaham:

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:
It is hilarious that the archetypical American Hero is the cowboy, a migrant farm worker.

Why do the movies and TV shows never mention how many of them weren't white?

I don't know of the Buffalo Soldiers by chance.

They were legend.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/buffalo-soldiers

Hilarious, is you coming across like ranching and farming is somehow unworthy of notoriety.

Enjoy your Christmas dinner, asshole.


.

Ranching and farming are honorable pursuits as long as they are undertaken honorably.

Very few endeavors in America have more bullshit myths wrapped around them.

We just won't talk about the rugged individualists who primarily farm government subsidies...

Jeff, do you ever have anything nice to say?

quote:

Originally posted by theback40:
As Ty would know, the subsidies are all part of the government having their nose in what should be a free market.
They take away here, then give back over there. Combine that with allocations to outside markets, makes for a PITA. I dont know any ag base that doesnt wish the gov got the hell out of our way.

Absolutely.

If I'm not mistaken, both you and tomahawker are well versed in commercial agriculture as well.

In other words, speaking from both an educated and experienced point of view, not just wingin' it.


.

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas "Ty" Beaham:

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:
It is hilarious that the archetypical American Hero is the cowboy, a migrant farm worker.

Why do the movies and TV shows never mention how many of them weren't white?

I don't know of the Buffalo Soldiers by chance.

They were legend.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/buffalo-soldiers

Hilarious, is you coming across like ranching and farming is somehow unworthy of notoriety.

Enjoy your Christmas dinner, asshole.


.

Ranching and farming are honorable pursuits as long as they are undertaken honorably.

Very few endeavors in America have more bullshit myths wrapped around them.

We just won't talk about the rugged individualists who primarily farm government subsidies...

Jeff, do you ever have anything nice to say?

About a Republican?

Not that I can remember.

Although it's nice that Rush Limbaugh is still dead.

It’s sad, but politics does tend to rear its head even in relatively nonpolitical statements.

It’s neat to hear about people who were good citizens.

We all could use a dose of rugged individualism in this country… at least attitudinally.

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas "Ty" Beaham:

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:
It is hilarious that the archetypical American Hero is the cowboy, a migrant farm worker.

Why do the movies and TV shows never mention how many of them weren't white?

I don't know of the Buffalo Soldiers by chance.

They were legend.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/buffalo-soldiers

Hilarious, is you coming across like ranching and farming is somehow unworthy of notoriety.

Enjoy your Christmas dinner, asshole.


.

Ranching and farming are honorable pursuits as long as they are undertaken honorably.

Very few endeavors in America have more bullshit myths wrapped around them.

We just won't talk about the rugged individualists who primarily farm government subsidies...

Jeff, do you ever have anything nice to say?

Jeff will say plenty of nice things about any Democrat; even if he has to make shit up!
Allow me to apologize for going political on a non-political thread.
My ancestors were also all farmers, ranchers, and loggers and many of the stories they told were of everyday exploits which would seem heroic today. They truly built and defended a nation; two of them, I guess. Regards, Bill.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill Leeper:

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas "Ty" Beaham:

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:
It is hilarious that the archetypical American Hero is the cowboy, a migrant farm worker.

Why do the movies and TV shows never mention how many of them weren't white?

I don't know of the Buffalo Soldiers by chance.

They were legend.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/buffalo-soldiers

Hilarious, is you coming across like ranching and farming is somehow unworthy of notoriety.

Enjoy your Christmas dinner, asshole.


.

Ranching and farming are honorable pursuits as long as they are undertaken honorably.

Very few endeavors in America have more bullshit myths wrapped around them.

We just won't talk about the rugged individualists who primarily farm government subsidies...

Jeff, do you ever have anything nice to say?

Jeff will say plenty of nice things about any Democrat; even if he has to make shit up! Bill.

If you see me "making shit up" I cordially invite you to point it out, on the spot.

I don't "make shit up"; I'm not a Republican and don't support a man who says he wants to be a dictator for President.

Why do some of us look back on "the good old days" fondly?
This.

This OP has a ton of neato, lore, a great story, whatever. Whether we watch the Western movies, read Luis LAmour or just think horses are neat, these stories and pictures feed that.

I find the young adult Americans that express a desire to stay near Mom and dad, "there's no place like home", a need for safe spaces and a comfort zone to be disappointing. I suspect most of our ancestors would agree with me as they were travelers and immigrants also. On my mother's side I am 4th generation straight outta Finland and Norway.

I really ain't all that interested in how ethnically diverse the historical frontier was, my ancestors, the farmers, ranchers, plumbers and soldiers I have pictures of were white, Honkey. Jeff I'm sure we're all really happy your mantle is full of pictures of black slave cowboys.

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:
Why do some of us look back on "the good old days" fondly?
This.

This OP has a ton of neato, lore, a great story, whatever. Whether we watch the Western movies, read Luis LAmour or just think horses are neat, these stories and pictures feed that.

I find the young adult Americans that express a desire to stay near Mom and dad, "there's no place like home", a need for safe spaces and a comfort zone to be disappointing. I suspect most of our ancestors would agree with me as they were travelers and immigrants also. On my mother's side I am 4th generation straight outta Finland and Norway.

I really ain't all that interested in how ethnically diverse the historical frontier was, my ancestors, the farmers, ranchers, plumbers and soldiers I have pictures of were white, Honkey. Jeff I'm sure we're all really happy your mantle is full of pictures of black slave cowboys.

The black slave cowboys were the ones who kept the ranches going while all the heroes were off to the civil war to keep them slaves.

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas "Ty" Beaham:

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:
It is hilarious that the archetypical American Hero is the cowboy, a migrant farm worker.

Why do the movies and TV shows never mention how many of them weren't white?

I don't know of the Buffalo Soldiers by chance.

They were legend.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/buffalo-soldiers

Hilarious, is you coming across like ranching and farming is somehow unworthy of notoriety.

Enjoy your Christmas dinner, asshole.


.

Ranching and farming are honorable pursuits as long as they are undertaken honorably.

Very few endeavors in America have more bullshit myths wrapped around them.

We just won't talk about the rugged individualists who primarily farm government subsidies...

Jeff, do you ever have anything nice to say?

he has good things to say in apologizing for Hamas and Tlaib - oh, jeffrey, if you are seeing this, peekaboo --

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:
We just won't talk about the rugged individualists who primarily farm government subsidies...

Jeffrey, we all realize you are undereducated - But, when did farm subsidies start and under which political party? oh, we'll wait - i know you can't say "during the depression" and "under FDR" -- but hey, facts don't enter into your reality

Jeffi, you are always about original post topic.
Or so you tell me when you dont want to answer my questions.
The post was on the men of cattle drives.
The first cattle drives started after the civil war. The blacks on cattle drives were free men.

quote:

Originally posted by theback40:
The blacks on cattle drives were free men.

Freed by a Republican.


.

quote:

Originally posted by theback40:
Jeffi, you are always about original post topic.
Or so you tell me when you dont want to answer my questions.
The post was on the men of cattle drives.
The first cattle drives started after the civil war. The blacks on cattle drives were free men.

Threads on here almost never stay on the headline topic and I defy you to find where I've said they must.

They are much more like a tree than a post, and commonly take tangents. If you'll get somebody to read it to you I think you'll find that I didn't introduce the notion of "black slave cowboys", that was Scott, I was merely placing them correctly in time.

Also, you need to brush up on history a bit, cattle drives, particularly out of Texas, pre-date the Civil War by decades, they just had New Orleans as a destination instead of the railheads in Kansas, that didn't exist yet.

Dig even more and you'll discover the interesting turkey drives where large flocks were driven across the Appalachians to markets in the East, but nobody made wildly romanticized movies about them.

Geez Jeffi, in the Va funds thread just down from here, you wouldnt answer my questions because it wasnt about the original post topic.
In other words, you want to only things your way.
Small drives would have been made to a number of other start up ranches, markets, forts and reservations. The big drives started after the civil war. Learn some history.

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas "Ty" Beaham:

quote:

Originally posted by theback40:
The blacks on cattle drives were free men.

Freed by a Republican.

But Krazy Jeff keeps voting for liberals.

quote:

Originally posted by theback40:
Geez Jeffi, in the Va funds thread just down from here, you wouldnt answer my questions because it wasnt about the original post topic.
In other words, you want to only things your way.
Small drives would have been made to a number of other start up ranches, markets, forts and reservations. The big drives started after the civil war. Learn some history.

There were, in fact, fairly large drives to a number of towns in Missouri, including Springfield, Sedalia and St. Louis, and even one from Texas to NYC. The drives direct to Missouri largely ended because the farmers there didn't want the tick-infested Texas cattle bringing "Texas fever" to their cattle and threatened to shoot the rough, tough cowboys. Thus Abilene Kansas, well outside the farming regions of the time, became the locus once the railroad got that far.

Fairly large drives? Out of state drives pre 1866 were in the range of 2-4,00. The first year of big drives (1866) was 40,000.
Late winter early spring is maple syrup time. Prices are dictated by Quebec, the largest producer. The Canadian gov, subsidizes the maple industry. They buy all canadian syrup, and set the price by how the year went. In spring of 2020, all the maple producers were excited. The border was in lockdown, we were finally going to get a top price for our syrup.
Nope, slow Joe puckered up to kiss Trudeau's brown ring. Changed syrup to a (necessity) item, and let the tankers roll on across the border.
Was there a swap? Could beef, forestry, or dairy products cross in exchange???? Nope.
Who is the dishonest farmers in this case?
You know all about AG Jeffi, Tell us. Tell me how big a fan farmers are of Biden?

'40
Jeff spent a couple months at Fort Hood and thinks he knows Texas. i think the barmaids and/or busboys where mean to him, which is of the reasons he Hates Texas - Which, I expect, it why he's county executive of peckerwood county, TN

peekaboo, jeffrey - now go run and hide behind your ignore list

I greatly despise political extremism in all forms, but it has NOTHING to do with Lanes's fine post. Lane, I think he is a man and an ancestor to be proud of. Your son seems intent on earning that name, too!
A friend on another forum recently posted on a deer and hog hunt he enjoyed on the lands within Colorado Bend State Park between Burnet and San Saba. It was somewhere near here that my great-great grandfather, Champion Travis Traylor Sr., was ambushed and murdered in August of 1855, probably by Comanches. He left behind a widow pregnant with my great grandfather, who went on to teach school, serve as a postmaster, ranch cows on the Canadian just upstream of Billy Dixon's place, serve as a judge of Hutchinson County during WWI -- and get shot at least three times. Pretty admirable accomplishments for a restless kid who ran away from home, nearly illiterate, as a young teenager.
These ancestors were cut from a mighty strong bolt of cloth -- and it was their children who became the "Greatest Generation."
Not long ago, I chanced to visit Ballinger, where that very great-grandfather's uncle, Barry Burks, a CW vet, was mayor during WWI. While there I got to study this sculpture by Pompeo Coppini, commissioned by the heartbroken parents of Charles Noyes, who broke his neck at age 21 in a fall from a horse while gathering cows in 1918. We'll not know their like again.
Thank you for posting this and have a truly blessed Christmas, my friend.

Thankyou for the post Bill, that was a great read.

Jeffe, isn't it the Leavenworth cemetery thats called peckerwood hill? Always chuckled about that.

quote:

Originally posted by theback40:
Fairly large drives? Out of state drives pre 1866 were in the range of 2-4,00. The first year of big drives (1866) was 40,000.
Late winter early spring is maple syrup time. Prices are dictated by Quebec, the largest producer. The Canadian gov, subsidizes the maple industry. They buy all canadian syrup, and set the price by how the year went. In spring of 2020, all the maple producers were excited. The border was in lockdown, we were finally going to get a top price for our syrup.
Nope, slow Joe puckered up to kiss Trudeau's brown ring. Changed syrup to a (necessity) item, and let the tankers roll on across the border.
Was there a swap? Could beef, forestry, or dairy products cross in exchange???? Nope.
Who is the dishonest farmers in this case?
You know all about AG Jeffi, Tell us. Tell me how big a fan farmers are of Biden?

I can't tell you what farmers think of Biden but I can tell you who was President in the Spring of 2020, and it wasn't Joe Biden.

He won the election in November of 2020 and took office in January of 2021 stupid.

Big fingers and search and destroy typing, I missed a key.

quote:

Originally posted by theback40:
Big fingers and search and destroy typing, I missed a key.

Your keyboard has the "1" next to the "0"?

Nope, I dont look up often enough to correct my mistakes.
trump was a putin ass kisser, not Trudeau's.
One of the few things I will give Trump credit for, is negotiating a better NAFTA for the Ag sector.
But, you knew that being an expert in AG right?

quote:

Originally posted by theback40:
Nope, I dont look up often enough to correct my mistakes.
trump was a putin ass kisser, not Trudeau's.
One of the few things I will give Trump credit for, is negotiating a better NAFTA for the Ag sector.
But, you knew that being an expert in AG right?

I know you just got caught spinning a blatant, bald-faced lie to try to smear President Biden.

quote:

Originally posted by Jefffive:

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:
Why do some of us look back on "the good old days" fondly?
This.

This OP has a ton of neato, lore, a great story, whatever. Whether we watch the Western movies, read Luis LAmour or just think horses are neat, these stories and pictures feed that.

I find the young adult Americans that express a desire to stay near Mom and dad, "there's no place like home", a need for safe spaces and a comfort zone to be disappointing. I suspect most of our ancestors would agree with me as they were travelers and immigrants also. On my mother's side I am 4th generation straight outta Finland and Norway.

I really ain't all that interested in how ethnically diverse the historical frontier was, my ancestors, the farmers, ranchers, plumbers and soldiers I have pictures of were white, Honkey. Jeff I'm sure we're all really happy your mantle is full of pictures of black slave cowboys.

The black slave cowboys were the ones who kept the ranches going while all the heroes were off to the civil war to keep them slaves.

There weren’t really ranches as we know them now in that time period. The King Ranch was one of the first. The cattle that were driven out were from Deep South Texas and there were no slave cowboys down there…definitely vaqueros though. And, most of the cattle were feral cattle. As the trail drives began picking up after the Civil War. Freedmen from East Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi certainly did migrate towards this line of work and there certainly was a small percentage of drovers and cowboys at the time who were black.