Primary Source Sets
Cowboy Culture
The Spanish explorers first brought cattle to Texas with them from Mexico. The Spanish had been raising cattle for the hides and meat for a long time, and Mexican cattle workers called "charros" took care of the cattle. Over many decades, Texas cowboys blended the Spanish and English cattle ranching techniques and cultures to create a style unique to Texas.
By Jenny Thomason
Journal entry (J.W. Holston)
"Well on this trip i got acquainted with one of the trail bosses by name of Perry Lefors. Mr. Lefors had me to ride his personal horse back to Mobuti and out to the Ranch 10 miles west of Mobuti and gave me a job." To read more, click on the PDF link.
Cattle bunching
A foreman with a bunch of his men who is about to go on a long, hard round-up at fast pace is apt to say: "Tie your hat to your saddle and let's ride."
Cattle crossing the river
Holston in his journal describes: "we builded a 25 mile string of line fence for the LX Ranch. The Ranch was on the north side of the Canadian river a big head quarter ranch and supply house. The line fence we built was 40 miles north of the ranch running east and west. They were built to..." To read more, click on the PDF link. (use with Beginners Worksheet)
Ferry boat
Site of ferry boat across the Trinity in 1850s and 1860s. Each month hundreds of covered wagons of Texas home-seekers reined to a stop on the banks of Fort Worth in the mid fifties. To read more, click on the PDF link. (use with Beginners Worksheet) Journal entry: Cattle drive (J. W. Holston)
"My pal and I hired to this new management at Mobuti with several other hands among them there were two Mexicans about 10 of us altogether to recieve this herd." To read more, click on the PDF link. (Use with Intermediate Worksheet) PDF
Cowboys
An S.M.S. outfit. The boys getting ready to go out on their daily round on the ranch. To view more pictures of cowboy life and see other pages, click on the arrows to navigate through the book. Journal entry: Innovations (J.W. Holston)
The ranchers came up with their own solution to prevent cattle from drifting from one range to another. This protected the cattle from rustlers and other wildlife that were out there. To read more, click on the PDF link. (Use with the Advanced Worksheet)
On the plains
On a warm day, cows enjoyed the shade after a drink at a nearby windmill. These windmills with steel storage pools furnish an appreciable amount of water for the ranch.
The Herd
For a number of years specialized in Heifers as foundation herds. Cattle grazing in the field calves and yearlings will be separated and shipped to corn belt.
Lasca: The riding song
"I want free life, and I want fresh air;And I sigh for the canter after the cattle,
The crack of the whips like shots in battle, ,
The medley of hoofs and horns and heads..."
To read the song, click on the PDF link (p.23.). (Use with the My Cartoon Strip activity)
