Bad Medicine – The Story of a Cattle Drive
By Andy Adams in 1906
The American West, a landscape etched in history with cattle drives, sprawling ranches, and the rugged spirit of cowboys, holds countless tales of adventure, hardship, and the unwavering pursuit of opportunity. Among these stories, one recounted by Andy Adams in 1906, titled Bad Medicine – The Story of a Cattle Drive, offers a captivating glimpse into the life of cowboys and the challenges they faced, particularly when dealing with inexperienced leadership.
The narrative unfolds on the eve of the Cherokee Strip land rush in Hennessey, Oklahoma, a pivotal moment that marked the end of an era for many cowmen who had spent years grazing their herds on those lands. As these seasoned cowboys gathered in a local saloon, a familiar haunt run by a former member of their craft, they discussed their uncertain futures, contemplating whether to embrace the new wave of settlement or seek opportunities elsewhere. This scene provides a vivid snapshot of a community on the cusp of change, grappling with the loss of their familiar way of life.
The atmosphere in the saloon was thick with camaraderie and a shared sense of loss. The cowboys, weathered and hardened by years on the trail, debated their options, their voices echoing with a mixture of resignation and defiance. One cowboy, Tom Roll, declared his aversion to farming, expressing his preference for toiling for a Swedish farmer in Minnesota over tilling the land himself. Another, Ace Gee, envisioned a different path, planning to stake a claim, sell his rights, and return to his home in Van Zandt County, Texas, to regale his family with tales of his adventures. Joe Box chimed in, suggesting that staking a claim and selling it for $500 would provide a comfortable winter stake, highlighting the potential for quick profit in the land rush.
As the conversation flowed, Ace Gee recounted his recent experiences on a cattle drive to Montana, working for an Eastern-based company that had ventured into the cattle business as a means of diversifying their income from patent medicine. This detail provides insight into the changing dynamics of the cattle industry, with Eastern investors seeking to capitalize on the booming Western market. Ace described the company’s management structure, characterized by a board of directors and a lack of practical experience, highlighting the challenges of running a successful cattle operation without firsthand knowledge.
Ace’s story centered on their boss, a relative of the medicine company’s owners, who was sent to oversee the cattle drive despite his lack of expertise. The cowboys started north with 3,400 head of cattle, enduring the boss’s constant fretting and anxiety. Ace emphasized the importance of a competent cow boss who hires a skilled crew and trusts them to do their jobs, contrasting this with the boss’s micromanaging style. As they moved west, they experienced water scarcity, which made the cattle restless and prone to stampedes. The boss’s ineptitude was further exposed when he struggled to count the cattle after a minor stampede, leading to disagreements with the experienced cowboys.
The tension escalated when the boss questioned the accuracy of the count provided by a cowboy from Val Verde County, Texas. The Val Verde cowboy defended his count, suggesting that the boss’s inability to count accurately stemmed from his inexperience. This exchange underscores the clash between practical knowledge and theoretical authority, as the cowboys’ expertise was challenged by the boss’s misguided attempts to assert control. The Bad Medicine – The Story of a Cattle Drive shows the reader a contrast between the two worlds, one of which has experience and the other of which has not.
The animosity between the boss and the crew intensified as the drive progressed through "No-Man’s-Land." During a moonlit night, a stampede erupted, scattering the herd. The boss, still obsessed with counting, demanded another tally, but the cowboys refused to assist him, citing his incompetence and lack of cow sense. One cowboy bluntly stated that the boss was unfit to lead a cattle drive and that no one respected his authority. The boss, infuriated by this defiance, threatened to discharge the cowboy, but his threats were met with ridicule and further resistance.
The climax of the conflict occurred when the boss confronted Californy, a quiet and respected point rider. Californy calmly rebuked the boss for his arrogance and lack of understanding of the cattle business. He advised the boss to discard his ivory-handled gun, warning him that it would only get him into trouble. Californy asserted that the boss’s attempts to exert authority through threats and intimidation were ineffective and that he needed to revise his tactics.
Following Californy’s dressing-down, the boss reluctantly conceded and ordered Pink, another cowboy, to oversee the cattle count. Pink, acting as the de facto foreman, assigned the task to Californy and his partner, who meticulously counted the herd. Their count revealed a minor discrepancy, but Pink, satisfied with their accuracy, commended them for their expertise. The Bad Medicine – The Story of a Cattle Drive is one of pride. The boss gave up his pride for the good of the cowboys.
As the drive neared the Santa Fe Railway, Pink suggested a "curlew hunt" in the sandhills for the boss, intending to lose him temporarily to give him a break from the stress. The plan worked, and the boss was left stranded overnight while the crew continued towards the river. The next morning, Pink "rescued" the boss, pretending to have been trailing him. Upon reaching the railroad, the boss authorized Pink to take the herd to Ogallala, Nebraska, while he sought respite in Denver.
In Ogallala, a Montana rancher appeared and took over the management of the herd. Pink was appointed foreman, proving to be a much more competent leader than his predecessor. The crew eventually reached the company’s Yellowstone range in the fall, where they completed the count and delivered the cattle. The story concludes with the narrator reflecting on his experiences and deciding to leave the cow country due to his aversion to manual labor. The Bad Medicine – The Story of a Cattle Drive shows that experience is what is most important when dealing with cattle.
The tale of Bad Medicine – The Story of a Cattle Drive ends with a humorous exchange among the cowboys, as they reminisce about their adventures and contemplate their futures. As they gather at the bar, Ace Gee muses on the transformative power of alcohol, highlighting the contrast between the cowboys’ humble circumstances and their sense of independence. The story concludes with a sense of camaraderie and resilience, as the cowboys prepare to face the challenges that lie ahead.
In conclusion, Andy Adams’s Bad Medicine – The Story of a Cattle Drive offers a captivating portrayal of life on the trail, highlighting the challenges faced by cowboys and the importance of experience and competence in leadership. Through vivid descriptions and engaging characters, Adams captures the essence of the American West, preserving a valuable piece of its rich history. The story serves as a reminder of the human element in the cattle industry, showcasing the resilience, camaraderie, and unwavering spirit of the cowboys who shaped the landscape of the American West.