The Chuck Wagon and Texas Cattle Drives

1. The Chuck Wagon and Texas Cattle Drives Fourth Grade Social Studies

2. The Chuck Wagon • Invented and designed by Charles Goodnight • Before the wagon, many cowboys carried their own food in sacks or in their saddle bags. • When drives became longer, a pack mule was used to carry the food. • Finally, an oxcart was used but the oxen were too slow.

3. The Chuck Wagon • In 1866, Charles Goodnight bought the gear of an Army wagon that had axles of iron instead of wood. • Goodnight’s wagon was covered with canvas over bows. • In front were supplies, a barrel of water, bedding and tools. • In the rear was the chuck box. • The chuck box had several drawers for utensils and food. • The hinged door of the chuck box came down atop a folding leg to become a work table or counter space for the cook.

5. Under the bottom of the wagon was a cowhide sling called a cooney. (in Spanish “cuna” means cradle). • Some cowboys called it the “possum belly”. • This was where the cook stored firewood or sticks to use for his cooking fire.

6. The Chuck Wagon

7. The Chuck Wagon • Before the trail drives, the cook had to stock the wagon with enough food to last one or two months. • Food for the trail had to last without spoiling during long, hot days. • There was no refrigeration to keep it fresh. • There were only a few foods that would not spoil, so cowboys ate the same kind of meals over and over again. • Meals were cooked over a campfire in a pot that hung from a pothook above the fire or they used a Dutch Oven.

8. The Cowboy’s Meals Sample Trail Menu Breakfast: bread or biscuits, coffee Lunch: chili or stew, bread, water Supper: steak and beans, potatoes with gravy, biscuits, water and coffee

9. Texas Cattle Drives • By the 1820s, many American settlersmoved west to become ranchers. • The newcomers saw a great business opportunity in gathering the longhorn cattle and selling it to markets in the east. • Since there was no refrigeration in the 1800s, the cattle had to be taken live to the cities. • These cities had railway stations and they also became cattle towns.

10. Texas Cattle Drives

11. Texas Cattle Drives • Ranchers hired cowboys to guide the cattle on the long walk to the cattle towns. • The walk was known as a cattle drive or trail drive. • It took about 7-10 cowboys to watch over 1,000 head of cattle on the trail. • Every cowboy had an important role. • The trail boss was in charge of all the cowboys and cattle; point riders led the herd; swing riders rode alongside cattle to turn them in the right direction; flank riders kept the herd from spreading out; drag riders rode behind the herd to keep the cattle moving; wranglers were in charge of remuda (extra horses); the cook drove the chuck wagon.

13. Dangers on the Trail • Wolves, bears, scorpions, and rattlesnakes • Blizzards and lack of water • The biggest danger was a stampede. • Stampedes often occurred at night, when the cattle could not see what was around them. • During a stampede, frightened cattle ran off in all directions.

14. Fun on the Trail • Cowboys worked hard, but they liked to have fun too. • They played dominoes or cards. • Cowboys competed in riding contests which helped them practice handling horses and roping cattle. • Singing, humming, and whistling were part of the every day life of cowboys. • Some cowboys played instruments such as the harmonica, fiddle, or guitar. • After supper, cowboys would gather around the campfire to tell tall tales (exaggerated stories).

15. Arriving at the Cattle Town • The cattle trails ended at cattle towns. • Cattle towns were also known as boomtowns, because they boomed or grew quickly. • Cattle towns were busy when cowboys arrived. • The cowboys were paid $100 at the end of the trail drive and they were ready to spend their money.

16. Texas Cattle Drives • Most famous trails: Chisholm Trail, Shawnee/Sedalia Trail, Goodnight-Loving Trail and Western Trail.

17. Texas Cattle Drives

19. End of Trail Drives • By the end of 1800s, people began to settle the land. • Cattle drivers were unpopular with settlers. • Settlers started putting barbed wire fences. • Fences made it difficult for cowboys to bring herd of cattle across the west. • Many cattle trails were blocked by fences.