Cowboys, Trail Blazers, & Stagecoach Drivers List
"Do not go where the path may lead;
go instead where there is no path
and leave a trail."
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
The American West, a land of vast landscapes and boundless opportunity, fostered a unique breed of individuals who shaped its history and mythology. Among these figures stand the cowboys, the trail blazers who carved paths through untamed wilderness, and the stagecoach drivers who connected far-flung communities. This list, while not exhaustive, offers a glimpse into the lives and contributions of some of the most notable cowboys, trail blazers, and stagecoach drivers who left an indelible mark on the American West.
A
Abbot Downing Company (1827-1847, 1865-1919): The name Abbot Downing Company resonates with the history of transportation in the American West. This organization was famed for its production of the Concord Stagecoach, a vehicle synonymous with frontier travel. For decades, the Abbot Downing Company crafted thousands of these sturdy and elegant stagecoaches, enabling the movement of people, mail, and goods across vast distances. The Concord Stage, in particular, became a symbol of resilience and reliability in the face of challenging terrain and unpredictable conditions.
Hugh Anderson (18??-1873): Born into a wealthy cattleman’s family in Bell County, Texas, Hugh Anderson followed a familiar path. Embracing the life of a cowboy, he drove herds of cattle along the Texas Trails toward markets in Kansas. Anderson’s life took a dramatic turn when he became embroiled in the infamous Hyde Park Gunfight in Newton, Kansas. His involvement in this violent episode ultimately led to his death in a revenge duel, a stark reminder of the dangers that often accompanied life on the frontier.
B
Billy Bailey (18??-1871): The story of Billy Bailey is a complex blend of law enforcement and cowboy life. Thought to have originated from Texas, Bailey found himself in Newton, Kansas, where his life was cut short in a gunfight. His dual roles as a lawman and cowboy reflect the often blurred lines between order and chaos in the burgeoning towns of the West.
William Becknell (1788-1856): William Becknell’s legacy rests on his pioneering spirit and his establishment of the Santa Fe Trail. This vital trade route connected the American frontier with Santa Fe, New Mexico, opening up economic opportunities and facilitating cultural exchange. Becknell’s journey marked a significant step in westward expansion and the integration of the Southwest into the United States.
John M. Bozeman (1835–1867): John M. Bozeman’s name is forever linked to the Bozeman Trail, a route he scouted and blazed from Wyoming to Virginia City, Montana. This trail offered a shorter path to the Montana gold fields but cut through territory fiercely contested by Native American tribes. Bozeman’s efforts, while contributing to westward expansion, also ignited conflict and contributed to the tragic history of relations between settlers and indigenous populations.
John Braden (18??-1896): John Braden dedicated many years of his life to the stagecoach industry. He worked for various stagecoach companies before settling in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Braden’s life ended heroically when he saved several people from a burning wagon. His bravery exemplifies the dedication and selflessness often displayed by those who served the public in the demanding and dangerous world of stagecoach travel.
John Butterfield (1801-1869): John Butterfield rose from humble beginnings as a stagecoach driver to become a powerful figure in the transportation industry. His shrewd business acumen led him to own and operate American Express and the Overland Mail Company. Butterfield’s success story is a testament to the opportunities available in the expanding American West, where hard work and vision could lead to immense wealth and influence.
C
Nate Champion (1857-1892): Nate Champion, a skilled cowboy from Texas, sought new opportunities in Wyoming. His involvement in the Johnson County War, a conflict between powerful cattle barons and smaller ranchers, resulted in his death. Champion’s story is a tragic illustration of the violence and lawlessness that often plagued the open range, where disputes over land and resources escalated into deadly confrontations.
Jesse Chisholm (1805?- 1868): While the Chisholm Trail bears his name, Jesse Chisholm was not a cattle driver. Instead, he used the path to transport goods to and from his trading posts. The Chisholm Trail became a vital artery for the cattle industry, facilitating the movement of millions of head of cattle from Texas to markets in the North.
John Simpson Chisum (1824-1884): John Chisum was a cattle baron who moved longhorn herds from Texas into New Mexico in the mid-1800s, where he founded one of the largest cattle ranches in the American West. Chisum’s vast holdings and influence made him a prominent figure in the cattle industry and a symbol of the power and wealth that could be amassed on the frontier.
Clanton Gang, aka The Cowboys: The Clanton Gang, also known as "The Cowboys," were a loosely organized group of outlaws who operated along the Mexican border. They engaged in cattle theft, stagecoach robberies, ambushes, and murder. Their criminal activities contributed to the lawlessness and instability that characterized the region during this period.
William “Buffalo Bill” Frederick Cody (1846-1917): William "Buffalo Bill" Frederick Cody lived a life of adventure and transformation. Before entertaining audiences in his Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, he worked as a freighter, cattle driver, Pony Express rider, Civil War soldier, buffalo hunter, and army scout. Cody’s show romanticized the American West, shaping popular perceptions of the frontier and its heroes.
F
Mary Fields, aka Stagecoach Mary (1832-1914): Born into slavery in Tennessee, Mary Fields overcame adversity to become one of the first women entrepreneurs, stagecoach drivers, and pioneers of the American West. Her strength, determination, and independent spirit made her a remarkable figure in a male-dominated world.
Clark “Old Chieftain” Foss, aka Old Foss (1819-??): Clark "Old Chieftain" Foss was known for his boisterous personality and colorful driving style. He ran a stage through Napa Valley, California, during the 1860s, transporting tourists to the famed geysers in the Calistoga and Geyserville area. Foss’s character added to the charm and excitement of stagecoach travel in the region.
Johnny Fry (1840-1863): Johnny Fry holds the distinction of being the first "official" westbound rider of the Pony Express. He was also a Union soldier who died during the Civil War. Fry’s brief but impactful service with the Pony Express symbolized the speed and efficiency that the organization brought to communication across the vast distances of the West.
G
Charles J. Goodnight (1836-1929): Charles J. Goodnight was a cowboy and Texas Ranger who blazed the Goodnight-Loving Trail. He also invented the chuckwagon and became part owner in one of the largest ranches in the Texas panhandle. Goodnight’s contributions to cattle ranching and trail driving left a lasting legacy on the American West.
George “Baldy” Green: George “Baldy” Green was one of the most famous stage drivers in the Sierra Nevadas. His stages were so frequently targeted by robbers that he was eventually dismissed. Green’s experience highlights the dangers faced by stagecoach drivers who often transported valuable cargo and passengers through treacherous terrain.
H
The Hash-Knife Outfit (1884-1900): In the late 1800s, the Aztec Land and Cattle Company of Boston established the Hash-Knife Outfit in Holbrook, Arizona, becoming the third-largest cattle company in North America. The Hash-Knife Outfit played a significant role in the development of the cattle industry in the Southwest.
Robert “Pony Bob” Haslam (1840-1912): Robert "Pony Bob" Haslam was a Pony Express rider who set the record for the longest ride. He also served as a U.S. Deputy Marshal, an army scout, and a stage driver for Wells Fargo. Haslam’s varied career demonstrates the adaptability and resilience required to thrive in the ever-changing landscape of the American West.
Charles C. Haynes (1837-??): Charles C. Haynes was one of the most prominent drivers on the Overland Stage Line, driving for 20 years. Haynes’s long and dedicated service exemplified the commitment and skill required to navigate the challenging routes and demanding schedules of stagecoach travel.
Ben Holladay (1819-1887): Ben Holladay started several stagecoach routes and became known as the "Stagecoach King." Holladay’s entrepreneurial spirit and ambition transformed the stagecoach industry, creating a vast network of transportation across the American West.
I
Bose Ikard (1847-1929): Bose Ikard, a former slave, honed his cowboy skills and rode with Charles Goodnight. Ikard’s contributions to the cattle industry and his partnership with Goodnight demonstrated the valuable role played by African American cowboys in the American West.
L
Gordon William “Pawnee Bill” Lillie (1860-1942): Gordon William "Pawnee Bill" Lillie performed in Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show before forming his own act. Pawnee Bill’s shows competed with Cody’s, reflecting the popularity of Wild West entertainment and its impact on shaping public perceptions of the frontier.
Nat Love, aka Deadwood Dick (1854-1921): Nat Love, also known as "Deadwood" Dick, was said to have been the greatest black cowboy in all of the Old West. Love’s reputation as a skilled rider and roper challenged racial stereotypes and highlighted the contributions of African Americans to the cowboy culture.
Oliver Loving (1812-1867): Oliver Loving was a cattle rancher and pioneer of the cattle drive who, along with Charles J. Goodnight, developed the Goodnight-Loving Trail. He was killed by Indians while on a cattle drive. Loving’s life and death underscore the risks and sacrifices made by those who ventured into the untamed wilderness of the American West.
M
Joseph G. McCoy (1837-1915): Joseph G. McCoy was the founder of the cattle trade in Kansas, the originator of the Abilene Trail, and a cattle baron. McCoy’s vision and entrepreneurial skills transformed Abilene into a major cattle shipping center, revolutionizing the cattle industry.
George McJunkin (1851 – 1922): George McJunkin, a Black cowboy, ranch hand, and member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame, is credited with one of the most significant archeological finds in the U.S. McJunkin’s discovery shed light on the ancient history of North America and his skills as a cowboy show the diversity in the American West.
James Wales Miller: James Wales Miller, a stagecoach driver for Wells Fargo, established the first stage line between Auburn and Sacramento, California. He was known for his natty attire and his bravery in outrunning road agents. Wells Fargo rewarded him for saving a $30,000 payroll shipment with a silver watch and chain weighing approximately two and a half pounds.
Henry James “Hank” Monk (1833-1883): Henry James "Hank" Monk was one of the most famous stagecoach drivers in the American West. His wild and furious ride to Horace Greeley made him famous in 1859. Monk’s driving skills and colorful personality made him a legendary figure in the stagecoach era.
George “Alfred” Monroe (1844-1886): Born a slave, George "Alfred" Monroe later became one of the most skilled "whips" in the American West. A mulatto, he gained renown for driving stages for United States presidents. Monroe’s achievements defied racial barriers and highlighted the talent and determination of African Americans in the stagecoach industry.
James “Jim” Moore (1849-1873): James "Jim" Moore was one of the first Pony Express riders hired at St. Joseph, Missouri division. Moore is known for making his greatest ride on June 8, 1860. His dedication and courage exemplify the spirit of the Pony Express riders who braved harsh conditions to deliver mail across the West.
O
Annie Oakley, aka Phoebe Anne Oakley Mosey (1860-1926): Annie Oakley was an excellent markswoman who demonstrated her skills in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, traveling the world. Oakley’s talent and fame challenged gender roles and made her a symbol of female empowerment in the American West.
John Baker “Texas Jack” Omohundro (1846-1880): Texas Jack was a frontier scout and cowboy who joined Buffalo Bill Cody to perform in his Wild West Show. Texas Jack’s skills as a scout and his charisma as a performer contributed to the success of Cody’s show.
P
Charley Parkhurst, aka One-Eyed Charley, Mountain Charley, Six-Horse Charley (1812-1879): Charley Parkhurst was a female tobacco-chewing, cussing, gambling California stage driver. Parkhurst’s unconventional lifestyle and driving skills defied gender expectations and made her a legendary figure in the stagecoach era.
Charles “Charlie” E. Parks (18??-1907): Charles "Charlie" E. Parks was one of 80 Pony Express riders who served Utah, Nevada, and California, where he was regarded as one of the most capable and faithful men of the western division. After the Pony Express ended, he worked as a "shotgun messenger for Wells Fargo," guarding the iron boxes of treasure in the boot of the stagecoach. Parks’s bravery and dedication to protecting valuables during frequent encounters with road agents made him a hero.
William Pickett, aka Bill, Will (1870?-1932): Bill Pickett was one of the first great rodeo cowboys and is credited with inventing the sport of bulldogging. Pickett’s skills and innovation transformed rodeo into a popular spectator sport.
R
Charles Rath (1836-1902): Charles Rath was a merchant, buffalo hunter, and freighter, and one of the original organizers of Ford County, Kansas. Rath’s diverse business ventures contributed to the economic development of the frontier.
Delia Haskett Rawson (1861-1949): Delia Haskett Rawson became a driver at 14 and was the first female stage driver and maybe the youngest to carry the U.S. mail in California. Rawson’s early entry into the stagecoach industry and her role in delivering mail challenged gender norms and made her a pioneer for women in the field.
Russell, Majors, and Waddell (1854-1862): The partnership of William Hepburn Russell, Alexander Majors, and William B. Waddell was a freighting and staging firm based in Lexington, Missouri. Founded in 1854 to supply military posts in the American West, the company played a significant role in the Great Plains’ transportation history. It would later operate various transportation and communications services, including stagecoach services, private express mail service, and the brief operation of the Pony Express.
T
William Trotter (1836-??): William Trotter grew up to become a well-known Overland Stagecoach driver. At 16, he left home and traveled westward to Kansas Territory. He later worked for Central Overland California and Pike’s Peak Express Company before being employed by the Overland Stage Line. With his experience, he was promoted to a Division Agent. As the railroad pushed westward, so did the stage line, and Trotter eventually wound up on the Pacific Coast by the early 1870s. After two decades of staging, he then became a hotel keeper.
U
Charlie Utter (1838-??): Charlie Utter was a trapper, prospector, transport businessman, and a close friend of Wild Bill Hickok. Utter’s diverse pursuits and his friendship with Hickok reflected the adventurous and often unpredictable nature of life on the frontier.
© Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated January 2025.
Strap on your chaps, boys, and tie on your slicker;
Before the day’s over, you’ll wish you had some licker.
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