Deadwood Dick – Greatest Black Cowboy in the Old West
"Mounted on my favorite horse, my lariat near my hand, and my trusty guns in my belt… I felt I could defy the world." – Nat Love in The Life and Adventures of Nat Love, 1907
The sun beat down on the rolling plains, the air thick with the scent of sage and dust. A lone figure, silhouetted against the vast expanse, rode with a confidence that belied his youth. This was the Old West, a land of opportunity and danger, and this was Nat Love, the man who would become known as Deadwood Dick, a legendary figure in the annals of cowboy history.
Born into slavery in June 1854 on Robert Love’s plantation in Davidson County, Tennessee, Nat Love’s early life was one of hardship and servitude. But even amidst the constraints of bondage, his spirit remained unbroken. His story is a testament to resilience, skill, and the pursuit of freedom in a nation struggling to define itself. Nat, as he was called, would rise from these humble beginnings to etch his name into the very fabric of the Wild West, earning renown as one of its most skilled and respected cowboys.
Nat’s upbringing was typical for a slave child of the time. He lived in a modest log cabin, his father serving as a foreman on the plantation, and his mother working tirelessly in the kitchen of the main house. An older sister was tasked with his care, but her own duties often left Nat to his own devices. Despite the lack of formal education, his father recognized his son’s potential and taught him to read and write, a skill that would prove invaluable in his future adventures.
The winds of change began to blow with the advent of the Civil War. When emancipation finally arrived, Nat’s father leased a small plot of land from his former master, Robert Love, hoping to build a better life for his family. Sadly, this newfound freedom was short-lived, as he passed away just a few years later, leaving Nat to shoulder the responsibility of supporting his loved ones.
Determined to provide for his family, Nat took on various jobs on neighboring plantations, quickly discovering a natural talent for breaking horses. His innate understanding of these magnificent creatures, coupled with his courage and determination, set him apart. It was clear that Nat Love possessed a rare gift, a connection with horses that would shape his destiny.
In 1869, with just $50 in his pocket and a burning desire for adventure, the young Nat Love bid farewell to his family, entrusting their care to an uncle, and set his sights westward. His destination: Dodge City, Kansas, a bustling frontier town teeming with cowboys, gamblers, and outlaws. It was here that he encountered a crew from the Texas Duval Ranch, fresh from driving a herd to the Kansas railhead. Fate intervened, presenting Nat with an opportunity to prove his worth.
Approaching the trail boss, Nat boldly requested a job. The boss, intrigued by the young man’s confidence, offered him a challenge: break a notoriously wild horse named Good Eye. Nat later recounted that this was the toughest ride of his life. The horse bucked and reared, testing his skill and resolve to the limit. But Nat held on, his grip unwavering, his determination fueled by the promise of a new life. He tamed Good Eye, earning the respect of the seasoned cowboys and securing a position with the Duval Ranch at a respectable $30 a month.
The life of a cowboy was demanding and unforgiving, but Nat thrived in the saddle. He quickly adapted to the rigors of ranch work, displaying exceptional skills as a ranch hand. He honed his roping techniques, learned to read brands, and practiced relentlessly with his .45 revolver, becoming a formidable marksman. Word of his abilities spread throughout the Duval outfit, earning him a reputation as one of their most versatile and dependable cowboys. His proficiency led to his promotion as a buyer and chief brand reader, a role that required him to travel extensively into Mexico, where he mastered the Spanish language. The legend of Deadwood Dick was beginning to take shape.
After three years of invaluable experience with the Duval Outfit, Nat Love ventured further west, arriving in Arizona in 1872. There, he found work with the Gallinger Ranch on the Gila River, immersing himself in the rugged landscape and the challenges it presented. He traversed the vast network of western trails, facing dangers at every turn. He encountered hostile Native American tribes, battled rustlers and bandits, and weathered the harsh elements, all while honing his skills and solidifying his reputation as a fearless cowboy. During his time in Arizona, he was often referred to as Red River Dick and claimed to have crossed paths with some of the most iconic figures of the Old West, including lawmen Pat Garrett and Bat Masterson, and the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid.
The spring of 1876 brought a new adventure. Nat and his fellow Gallinger cowboys were tasked with driving a herd of three thousand steers to Deadwood, South Dakota, a booming gold rush town known for its lawlessness and vibrant nightlife. Arriving on July 3rd, they found the town in the midst of preparations for a grand Fourth of July celebration. Among the planned festivities was a "cowboy" contest, offering a $200 cash prize to the most skilled competitor. This contest would forever cement Nat Love’s place in Western lore.
The contest tested the cowboys’ abilities in a variety of skills, including roping, bridling, saddling, and shooting. Nat Love, with his years of experience and unparalleled skill, excelled in every event. He roped steers with lightning speed, saddled horses in record time, and demonstrated his deadly accuracy with a revolver. He dominated the competition, walking away with the $200 prize and, more importantly, a new moniker: Deadwood Dick. This nickname, bestowed upon him by the grateful citizens of Deadwood, became synonymous with his name, transforming him from a skilled cowboy into a legendary figure.
Nat Love continued to roam the Southwest for another 15 years, living the life of a cowboy, before finally settling down and marrying in 1889. The following year, he sought a more stable life for his family, taking a job in Denver, Colorado, as a Pullman porter on the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. He worked the routes west of Denver, moving his family several times to various locations in Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada before ultimately settling in Southern California.
In 1907, Nat Love published his autobiography, The Life and Adventures of Nat Love, Better Known in the Cattle Country as “Deadwood Dick.” This swashbuckling tale, filled with daring exploits and encounters with famous figures, captured the imagination of the American public. While some of the stories may have been embellished, a common practice in the dime novels of the era, the book provided a captivating glimpse into the life of a Black cowboy in the Old West. The authenticity of some of Love’s claims has been questioned, with little external verification to support his encounters with certain famous figures and discrepancies in the records of cattlemen he claimed to have worked for. Regardless, the book resonated with a public eager for tales of the Wild West, solidifying Deadwood Dick‘s place in popular culture.
Nat Love’s final employment was as a courier for the General Securities Company in Los Angeles, California. He lived a long and full life, witnessing the transformation of the West from a wild frontier to a settled region. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the contributions of African Americans to the history of the West, often overlooked in traditional narratives.
The legacy of Deadwood Dick endures, inspiring generations with his courage, skill, and determination. He represents the spirit of the Old West, a land where anyone, regardless of their background, could carve out a new life and achieve legendary status. His story is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the enduring allure of the American West.