Trail Drivers of Texas

For 60 years, The Trail Drivers of Texas has been considered the most monumental single source on the old-time Texas trail drives north to Kansas and beyond....Because of its vast volume of raw material, expressed in the words of those who lived the life and rode the long miles, students of cattle industry history regard it with high respect, even awe. (Dallas Morning News) . . . the essential starting point for any study of Texas trail driving days. Walter Prescott Webb called it ‘Absolutely the best source there is on the cattle trail . . .’ (Basic Texas Books)

• IntroductionForewordExplanatoryOrganization of The Old Time Trail Drivers' AssociationMinutes of The Annual Reunion of The Old Time Trail Drivers' Association, Held in San Antonio, Texas, September 10th and 11th, 1919Origin and Close of The Old-time Northern TrailThe Pumphrey Brothers' Experience on the Trail. By J. B. Pumphrey, Taylor, Texas, and R. B. Pumphrey of San AntonioDodging Indians near Packsaddle Mountains. By E. A. (Berry) Robuck, Lockhart, TexasFought Indians on the Trail. By Henry Ramsdale, Sabinal, TexasLocation of The Old Chisholm Trail. By C. H. Rust, San Angelo, TexasWhat Has Become of The Old-fashioned Boy? By C. H. Rust, San Angelo, TexasCyclones, Blizzards, High Water, Stampedes and Indians on the Trail. By G. H. Mohle, Lockhart, TexasMistaken for Cole Younger and Arrested. By S. A. Hickock, Karnes City, Texas,A Thorny Experience. By S. A. Brite, Pleasanton, TexasA Trip to California. By Jeff M. White, Pleasanton, TexasRaised on the Frontier. By Walter Smith, Del Rio, TexasDrove a Herd over the Trail to California. By W. E. Cureton, Meridian, TexasParents Settled in the Republic of Texas. By Joseph S. Cruze, Sr., San Antonio, TexasComing up the Trail in 1882. By Jack Potter, Kenton, OklahomaWhen a Girl Masqueraded as a Cowboy and Spent Four Months on the Trail. By Samuel Dunn, Houston, San Antonio, TexasA Trying Trip Alone through the Wilderness. By Samuel Dunn Houston, San Antonio, TexasFirst Camp Meeting in Grayson County. By Z. N. MorellSeven Trips up the Trail. By J. F. Ellison, Fort Cobb, OklahomaThe Old TrailersKilling and Capturing Buffalo in Kansas. By M. A. Withers, Lockhart, TexasOn the Trail to Nebraska. By Jeff. D. Farris, Bryan, TexasEchoes of the Cattle Trail. By Jerry M. Nance, Kyle, TexasReminiscences of Old Trail Driving. By J. M. Hankins, San Antonio, TexasGot "Wild and Woolly" on the Chisholm Trail. By J. N. Byler, Dallas, TexasWith Herds to Colorado and New Mexico. By G. W. Scott of Uvalde, TexasRecollections of Old Trail Days. By B. A. Borroum, Del Rio, TexasHigh-heeled Boots and Striped Breeches. By G. O. Burrows, Del Rio, TexasSixty Years in Texas. By William J. Bennett, Pearsall, TexasThe Good Old Cowboy Days. By Luther A. LawhonCourage and Hardihood on the Old Cattle Trail. Sketch of Sal WestLived on the Frontier during Indian Times. By Joe F. Spettel, Rio Medina, TexasMade a Long Trip to Wyoming. By H. D. Gruene, Goodwin, TexasPlayed Pranks on the Tenderfoot. By Henry D. Steele, San Antonio, TexasWhen a Man's Word was as Good as a Gilt-edged Note. By George N. Steen, Bryan, TexasMy Experience on the Cow Trail. By F. M. Polk, Luling, TexasPunching Cattle on the Trail to Kansas. By W. D. Hardeman, Devine, TexasExciting Experiences on the Frontier and on the Trail. By C. W. Ackerman, San Antonio, TexasObservations and Experiences of Bygone Days. By Louis Schorp, Rio Medina, TexasMet Quanah Parker on the Trail. By John Wells Bartlett, TexasTexas Cowboys at a Circus in Minneapolis. By S. H. Woods, Alice, TexasThe Remarkable Career of Colonel Ike T. PryorHabits and Customs of Early Texas. By L. B. Anderson, Seguin, TexasHit the Trail in High Places. By Jeff Connolly, Lockhart, TexasThe Men Who Made the Trail. By Luther A. Lawhon, San Antonio, TexasA Few Thrilling Incidents in My Experience on the Trail. By L. B. Anderson, Seguin, TexasMemories of the Old Cow Trail. By C. H. Rus, San Angelo, TexasEstablished the First Packing Plant in Texas. Sketch of W. S. Hall, Comfort, TexasTrail Driving to Kansas and Elsewhere. W. F. Cude, San Antonio, TexasWhen Lightning Set the Grass on Fire. By George W. Brock, Lockhart, Texas"Big Cowboy BallDid You Ever Do the Square? By James Barton AdamsExperiences "Tenderfeet" Could Not Survive. By G. W. Mills, Lockhart, TexasKilling of "Billy the Kid." By Fred E. Sutton, Oklahoma City, OklahomaHis Father Made Fine "Bowie" Knives. By John James Haynes, San Antonio, TexasThree Times Up the Trail. By W. E. Laughlin, Bartlett, TexasWill Build a Ten-story Marble Hotel in San Antonio. Sketch of John Young, Alpine, TexasWhen Ab. Blocker Climbed a Fence. By G. M. Carson, Rocksprings, TexasFound a Lot of Snuff on the Trail. By J. A. Blythe, Del Rio, TexasEight Trips Up the Trail. By A. N. Eustace, Prairie Lea, TexasA Long Time between Drinks. By Sam Neill, La Pryor, TexasScouting and Routing in the Good Old Days. By J. M. Custer, aliasWilsonCatching Antelope and Buffalo on the Trail. By A. Huffmeyer, San Antonio, TexasThe Old Trail Driver. By Branch Isabell, Odessa, TexasDrove a Herd to Mississippi and Alabama. By W. D. H. Saunders, San Antonio, Texas"Trail Life." By James Gibson, Alice, TexasAn Indian Battle near the Leona River. By L. A. Franks, Pleasanton, TexasJack Potter, the "Fighting Parson." By John Warren HunterThe Chisholm Trail. By Fred Sutton, Oklahoma City, OklahomaPreferred to Take Older Cattle Up the Trail. By Thomas'Welder, Beeville, TexasA Woman Trail Driver. By Mrs. A. Burks, Cotulla, TexasThe Experience of an Old Trail Driver. By Richard (Dick) Withers, Boyes, MontanaCornbread and Clabber Made a Good Meal. By Joseph Cotulla, Cotulla, TexasOne of the Best-known Trail Drivers. Sketch of John R. Blocker, Big Wells, TexasCaptain John T. LytleJ. D. JacksonT. A. ColemanTwice Across the Plains in Fourteen Months. By Joe S. Clark, Orange Grove, TexasJohn Z. MeansGeorge W. EvansCowboy Life in West Texas Days Gone By. By Hiram G. Craig, BrenhamCaptain Charles Schreiner, Kerrville, TexasThe Early Cattle Days in Texas. By A. W. Capt, San Antonio, TexasThe Cost of Moving a Herd to Northern Markets. By Col. Ike Pryor, San Antonio, TexasLost Twenty-one Thousand Dollars on One Drive. By John S. Kritzer, Taylor, TexasMose Wesley HaysThe Platte was Like a Ribbon in the Sunshine. By J. W. Jackson, Bartlett, TexasPut up Five Hundred Steers to Secure Three Hundred Dollars. By E. L. Brounson, Sample, TexasSome Interesting Things Seen on the Cattle Trail. By John B. Conner, Yoakum, TexasWhen "Louisiana" Came to Texas. By T. M. Turner, San Antonio, TexasMade Several Trips up The Trail. By N. L. Word, Alice, TexasProbably the Oldest Feeder in Texas. By R. F. Sellers, Mathis, TexasUp the Trail to Northern New Mexico. By L. A. Franks, Pleasanton, TexasThe Son of a Well-known Trail Driver. By Robert Farmer Jennings, San Antonio, TexasWhen George Saunders Made a Bluff "Stick." By T. T. Hawkins, Charlotte, TexasPut Many Herds up for D. R. Fant. By Thomas M. Hodges, Junction, TexasThe Milk of Human Kindness is Drying Up. By George F. Hindes, Pearsall, TexasTook Time to Visit His Sweetheart. By H. C. Williams. San Antonio, TexasReminiscences of the Trail. By Jasper (Bob) LauderdaleFrom Texas to the Oregon Line. By W. A. Peril, Harper, TexasAn Old Frontiersman Tells His Experience. By Joe Chapman, Benton, TexasParents were among Early Colonists. By Henry Fest, San Antonio, TexasPhil L. WrightReflections of the Trail. By George W. Saunders, San Antonio, TexasMrs. Lou GoreBuried a Cowboy in a Lonely Grave on the Prairie. By Alfred Iverson (Babe) Moye, Kenedy, TexasSome Things I Saw Long Ago. By George GerdesAte Stolen Meat, Anyway. By Jim Wilson, Alpine, TexasWhen a Boy Bossed a Herd. Sketch of J. D. Jackson, Alpine, TexasSpent a Hard Winter near Red Cloud. By D. S. Combs, San Antonio, TexasExperiences of the Trail and Otherwise. By M. J. Ripps, San Antonio, TexasSketch of Col. J. F. Ellison. By J. F. Ellison, Jr., Fort Cobb, OklahomaSixty-eight Years in Texas. By Pleasant Burnell Butler, Kenedy, TexasMy First Five-dollar Bill. By J. L. McCaleb, Carrizo Springs, TexasSlaked Their Thirst in a Dry Town. By A. D. McGehee, San Marcos, TexasLived in San Antonio at Time of Woll's Invasion. By George W. West, Jourdanton, TexasGot Their Names in the Pot for Supper and Breakfast. By E. M. (Mac) Stoney, Lockhart, TexasSettled on the Frontier of Texas. Sketch of Ed B. English of Carrizo SpringsSome Thrilling Experiences of an Old Trailer. By L. D. Taylor, San Antonio, TexasThe Man Who Had Hell in His Neck. By Ab. Blocker, San Antonio, TexasMy Third and Last Trip Up the Trail in 1886. By R. J. Jennings, San Antonio, TexasSketch of Colonel Dillard R. Fant Relates of a Trip Made in 1872. By M. L. Bolding, Bartlett, TexasPaid Three Dollars for Five Gallons of Water. By Sam Garner, Lockhart, TexasI Listened to the Chant of the Night Songs. By I. H. Elder, Sanderson, TexasSketch of L. B. AllenHad Less Trouble with Indians than with the Grangers on the Trail. By J. E. Pettus, Goliad, TexasMy Trip up the Trail. By W. E. Thompson, Pearsall, TexasRichard KingDrove Cattle for Doe Burnett. By L. Beasley, Junction, TexasWorked with Cattle for Over Sixty Years. By E. M. (Bud) Daggett, Fort Worth, TexasMade First Trip in 1877. By D. B. Sherrill, Rocksprings, TexasCowboys Dressed Up at End of Trail. By R. J. Jennings, San Antonio, TexasA Tenderfoot from Kentucky. By J. D. JacksonA True Story of Trail DaysTraveling The Trail with Good Men was a Pleasure. By J. F. (Little Jim) Ellison, Jr., Fort Cobb, OklahomaHad Plenty of Fun. By Gus Black, Eagle Pass, TexasSlumbered through the Shooting. By H. H. Peel, Jourdanton, TexasAnother Successful Cowman. By J. B. Murrah, San Antonio, TexasThe Real Cowboy. By Beulah Rust Kirkland, Phoenix, ArizonaCowboy from the Plains of Nebraska. By V. F. CarvajalEchoes of the 1916 ConventionEarly Days in Texas. By J. T. HazlewoodWorked for Geo. W. Saunders in 1875. By L. T. Clark, Quanah, TexasWas Freighter and Trail Driver. By. J. M. Cowley, Fentress, TexasSold Cattle in Natchez for $4.50 a Head. By A. E. Scheske, Gonzales, TexasDays That Were Full of Thrills. By Branch Isbell, Odessa, TexasSome Trips Up the Trail. By J. M. Garner. Texarkana, ArkansasThrilling Experiences. By Levi J. Harkey, Sinton, TexasNoted Quantrell Was with Herd on Trail. By Dr. J. W. Hargus of Dimmit CountyLost Thousands of Dollars. By C. S. Broadbent, San Antonio, TexasWere Happier in Good Old Days. By Oscar Thompson, Hebronville, TexasLatch String is on the Outside. By R. T. Mellard, Eddy County, New MexicoDedicated to the Memory of W. J. Edwards. By E. M. Edwards, San Antonio, TexasLived in Live Oak County Many Years. By W. M. Shannon, Lytle, TexasWilliam James SlaughterJames Alfred McFaddinAn Old Cow Hand. By John Pat RyanWilliam C. IrwinLee L. RussellThomas B. SaundersAte Terrapin and Dog Meat and was Glad to Get it. By Ben Drake, South Antonio, TexasGives Some Early Texas History. By W. F. Cude, Pearsall, TexasDrove Horses to Mississippi. By F. G. Crawford, Oakville, TexasWhen Jim Dobie Lost His Pants. By E. S. Boatwright, Falfurrius, TexasSketch of Col. J. J. MeyersCame over from Germany in 1870. By F. Cornelius, Midfield, Texas.A Faithful Negro Servant. By J. E. Folts, Columbus, TexasGrazed on Many Ranges. By T. J. Garner, Loveland, ColoradoJohn H. Ross Was a Bronco BusterHas Had an Eventful Career. By William B. Krempkau, San Antonio, TexasNo Room in the Tent for Polecats. By W. B. Foster, San Antonio, TexasGarland G. OdomReminiscences of an Old Trail Driver. By John C. Jacobs, San Antonio, Texas"Chawed" the Earmarks. By J. G. Thompson, Devine, TexasJames Madison ChittimA Big Mix-up. By W. M. Nagiller, Williams, ArizonaGeorge T. ReynoldsColonel Albert G. BoyceBorn in a Log Cabin. By G. O. Burrow, Del Rio, TexasSixty Years in Texas Around Good Old San Antonio. By Jesse M. Kilgore, San Antonio, TexasHardships of a Winter Drive. By Alf. Beadle, North Pleasanton, TexasMont Woodward Was a Friend. By G. O. Burrow, Del Rio, TexasDream was Realized. By Charlie Bargsley, San Antonio, TexasWhen He Got Big Enough to Fight the Indians were Gone. By W. T. (Bill) Brite, Leming, TexasFifty Cents a Day Was Considered Good Pay. By Louis and Joseph Chorp, Rio Medina, TexasWhen the Elements Wept and Shed Tears. By W. F. FielderSketch of Captain James D. Reed. By Lou Best Porter, Mountainair, New MexicoA Tribute to the Character of William Buckner Houston. By Thomas H. LewisServed with Lee and Jackson. By J. B. C. Harkness, Pearsall, TexasHarrowing Experiences with Jayhawkers. By J. M. Daugherty, Daugherty, TexasMajor George W. LittlefieldKidnapped the Inspectors. By Leo Tucker, Yoakum, TexasDavid C. PryorHelped Drive Indians Out of Brown County. By J. W. Driskill, Sabinal, TexasRobert E. StaffordLafayette WardThomas Jefferson MooreWilliam G. ButlerSeth MabryJ. D. Murrah Caught the Measles. By Dan Murrah, Del Rio, TexasMedina County Pioneer. By Xavier Wanz, Castroville, TexasExperiences of a Texas Pioneer. By John M. SharpeW. A. (Buck) PettusR. G. (Dick) HeadSketch of J. M. ChoateW. M. ChoateCrossed the Arkansas River in a Skiff. By J. H. SaulWhen Temperature Was 72 Degrees Below Zero. By C. C. French, Fort Worth, TexasHistory of an Old CowmanIndians Got Their Horses. By W. H. Crain, Pipe Creek, TexasGeorge Webb SlaughterThomas M. PeelerHardships of a Cowboy's Life in the Early Days in Texas. By James T. Johnson, Charco, TexasAssociated with Frank James. By Sam H. Nunneley, San Antonio, TexasThe Tankersley Family. By Mary Tankersley Lewis, San Angelo, TexasTrail Driving was Fascinating. By W. A. Roberts, Frio Town, TexasFollowed Cattle from the Ranch to the Shipping Pen. By Mrs. A. P. Betcher, Del Rio, TexasTells of an Indian Fight. By W. A. Franks, Pearsall, TexasReminiscences of the Old Trails. By C. F. Doan of Doan'sMade Many Trips up the Old Cow Trail. By E. P. Byler; Wadsworth, TexasFifty Years Ago. By J. J. (Joe) Roberts, Del Rio, TexasP. E. SlaughterSketch of the Life of Captain J. J. (Jack) Cureton. By W. E. Cureton, Meridian, TexasTrail Recollections of George W. ElamTells About Bob Robertson. By W. B. Hardeman, Devine, Texas"Doe" BurkettBen C. DragoAn Old Trail DriverRichard Robertson RussellFrom the Nueces to the North Platte. By J. R. Humphries, Yoakum, TexasA Long, Hard TripA. P. RachalD. C. RachalFrank S. RachalJohn Redus. By Mrs. Sallie McLamore RedusJames David FarmerA Well-known Frontier CharacterAlonzo MillettThree Comrade CowpunchersCould Ride a Hundred Miles a Day. By C. E. Johnson, Charco, Texas.Ranson CappsWhy I am a Prohibitionist. By George F. Hindus, Pearsall, TexasFifty Years a PolicemanTrailed 'Em Across Red River. By Gus Staples, Skidmore, TexasWas in a Railroad Wreck. By John B. Conner, Yoakum, TexasThe Rutledge BrothersJesse PresnallGeorge W. WestPlayed the Fiddle on Head at NightReminiscences of the Trail. By A. F. Carvajal, San Antonio, TexasJames Dobie Made Several Trips up the Trail. By R. J. Jennings, San Antonio, TexasCharles de Montel, Jr Was in Packsaddle Mountain Fight. By N. G. OzmentThe Cowboy's PrayerWhere They Put a Trail Boss in Jail. By W. T. (Bill) Jackman, San Marcos, TexasMade Several Trips. By Joe P. Smith, Click, TexasRelates Incidents of Many Drives. By William Baxter Slaughter, San Antonio, TexasA Pioneer Mother's Experience. By Mrs. Kate Cruze, San Antonio, TexasA Cowboy Undertaker. By W. K. Shipman, San Antonio, TexasCaptured Three Thousand QuartsWould Like to Go Again. By Webster Witter, Beeville, TexasMy Experience on the Trail. By Mrs. W. B. Slaughter, San Antonio, TexasEd C. LasaterThe Pluck of a Poor German Boy By B. Vesper, Big Wells, TexasMrs. Ike T. PryorMrs. George W. SaundersCol. C. C. SlaughterM. HalffDaniel OppenheimerThe Killing of Oliver Loving. By Charles Goodnight, Goodnight, TexasW. J. Wilson's NarrativeCyrus B. LucasJohn J. LittleWilliam Henry JenningsJohn B. SlaughterDennis O'ConnerShangai PierceJ. D. HoustonBob HoustonJess McCoyOn the Fort Worth and Dodge City Trail. By T. J. Burkett, Sr., Waelder, TexasCharacter ImpersonationMy Early Days in Good Old San Antonio. By John A. Miller, Bandera, TexasCaptain A. C. Jones. By George W. SaundersCaptain Henry Scott. By George W. SaundersOscar Fox. Composer of Cowboy SongsA. W. Billingsley, Wife, and SonJohn and Thomas Dewees. By George W. SaundersCame to Texas in 1838. By Mrs. H. C. Mayes, Carlsbad, TexasA Long, Dry DriveChaplain J. Stewart PearceMartin and Joe O'ConnorFather Received a Premium for Best Corn. By C. E. Austin, Nixon, TexasSon of a Trail Driver. By Harry H. Williams, San Antonio, Texas.More About the Chisholm Trail. By Charles Goodnight, Goodnight, TexasNow a Member of Congress. By Claude Hudspeth, El Paso, TexasCaptain Mifflin KenedyJohn G. KenedyFelix M. ShawA Log of the Trails. By George W. Saunders, TexasThomas H. ShawE. B. FlowersExperiences of a Ranger and Scout. By A. M. (Gus) Gildea, Deming, N. MGot a Tail-hold and Held on. By R. F. Galbreath, Devine, TexasThe Poet of the RangeThe Old "Square Dance" of the Western RangeJames B. GillettA Few Bars in the Key of GThe Morris FamilyOne Trip Up the Trail. By B. D. Lindsey, San Antonio, TexasNo Friends Like the Old Trail Drivers. By G. M. Carson, Rocksprings, TexasDock Burris was Well KnownWas in Captain Sansom's Company. By J. W. Minear, San Antonio, TexasAl. N. McFaddinIra C. JenningsA Trip to Kansas in 1870. By W. R. Massengale, Rio Frio, TexasFrom the "Historian of the Plains"The Trail Drivers of Texas. By Maude Clark Hough, New York CityMade Early Drives. By D. H. Snyder, Georgetown, TexasRather ConfusingJames Washington WalkerAndrew G. JonesFour Bandera PioneersIn ConclusionIndex