Joseph G. McCoy – Kansas Cattle Baron
Joseph G. McCoy, a name synonymous with the burgeoning cattle trade of the American West, stands as a pivotal figure in the transformation of Kansas from a frontier territory to a vital economic hub. He wasn’t just a cattleman; he was a visionary, a strategist, and a relentless promoter who single-handedly revolutionized the livestock industry, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape and lore of the Old West. He is remembered today as the founder of the cattle trade in Kansas, the originator of the Abilene Cattle Trail, and a cattle baron in his own right.
Born on December 21, 1837, in Sangamon County, Illinois, Joseph G. McCoy was the youngest of eleven children born to David and Mary (Kirkpatrick) McCoy, whose roots traced back to Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. His upbringing in the fertile lands of Illinois provided him with a foundation of hard work and resourcefulness. He received his education in the local public schools and further honed his intellect at Knox College, setting the stage for his future endeavors. In 1861, he embarked on his journey into the cattle business, a decision that would forever alter the course of his life and the destiny of the West. That same year, he married Sarah Epler, solidifying his personal life as he ventured into the world of commerce.
The seeds of Joseph G. McCoy’s revolutionary idea were sown in 1867. Recognizing the potential for a centralized shipping depot for cattle, he envisioned a strategic location that would bridge the gap between the vast Texas cattle ranches and the expanding railway networks. He understood that the railroad companies were keen to increase their freight operations. After careful consideration, he pinpointed Abilene, Kansas, as the ideal site. Its location along the Union Pacific Railroad made it a natural choice for a bustling livestock shipping center. With unwavering determination, Joseph G. McCoy spearheaded the establishment of the Abilene Trail, a vital artery that stretched through Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) and connected to the sprawling cattle lands of Texas.
Many initially scoffed at Joseph G. McCoy’s grand vision, dismissing it as impractical and far-fetched. However, he was undeterred by the skepticism, driven by his conviction in the potential of the cattle trade. He set out to prove the naysayers wrong, demonstrating the viability of his plan through sheer hard work and meticulous planning. To facilitate the cattle trade, Joseph G. McCoy invested in the necessary infrastructure. He built the Drover’s Cottage, a hotel designed to accommodate the influx of cattlemen and cowboys. He also established a sprawling stockyard to hold the cattle before shipment, along with an office and a bank to manage the financial transactions. These structures transformed the sleepy village of Abilene into a bustling hub of commerce and activity.
The success of Abilene as a cattle shipping center hinged on attracting cattle owners from Texas. To this end, Joseph G. McCoy launched an extensive advertising campaign throughout Texas, enticing cattlemen to drive their herds to Abilene for shipment to eastern markets. His efforts paid off handsomely. By 1868, a mere year after the establishment of the shipping depot, approximately 75,000 head of cattle were shipped from Abilene. This number continued to surge in the following years.
By 1870, the landscape surrounding Abilene was teeming with thousands of Texas Longhorn cattle, ideally suited for the rigors of the cattle trails due to their hardy nature, long legs, and durable hooves. These cattle were driven to the shipping center at Abilene. The influx of cattle and cowboys transformed Abilene into a boomtown. By 1871, the number of cattle shipped from Abilene had skyrocketed to 600,000 or more. On a single day, as many as 5,000 cowboys were paid off, injecting a massive amount of cash into the local economy. Abilene quickly gained a reputation as a rough-and-tumble town, a reflection of the influx of transient cowboys and the lawlessness that often accompanied them.
Joseph G. McCoy became an integral part of the Abilene community, and in April 1871, he was elected mayor of the town. Recognizing the need for law and order, he appointed James B. "Wild Bill" Hickok as Abilene’s marshal later that month. Hickok, a legendary figure in the Old West, was tasked with taming the lawless elements that plagued the town. However, Hickok’s tenure as marshal proved to be controversial. He often spent his time in the Alamo Saloon, the epicenter of the town’s wild life, and was not always popular with the more respectable citizens of Abilene. He spent more time gambling and socializing than he did performing his duties as a law enforcement officer.
By October 1871, the citizens of Abilene had grown weary of the rowdiness and lawlessness that had become synonymous with the cattle drives. The city leaders decided to take action, informing the Texas cattlemen that there would be no more cattle drives through their town. In December, Hickok was dismissed from his position as city marshal. Despite the growing discontent, 1871 proved to be the last big year for Abilene, with more than 40,000 head of cattle shipped out by rail.
The rise of Abilene as a cattle shipping center was relatively short-lived. As new railheads were built in other Kansas towns, such as Newton, Wichita, and Ellsworth, these locations became the preferred shipping points for cattlemen. During its four-year reign, Abilene played a pivotal role in the cattle trade, with over three million head of cattle driven up the Chisholm Trail and shipped from its stockyards. With the departure of the cowboys and the shift in shipping locations, Abilene gradually transformed into a peaceful, law-abiding community.
Despite his initial success, Joseph G. McCoy’s personal fortune dwindled due to constant promotion efforts, the financial demands of supporting a family, and the unpredictable fluctuations of the livestock market. His time as an Abilene Cattle Baron had come to an end. He ventured into other cowtowns for a time, but by 1872, he had relocated to Wichita. There, he worked as a promotion agent for American and Texas Refrigerator Car, a company that aimed to improve the transportation of perishable goods. He began documenting his experiences in a book entitled Historic Sketches of the Cattle Trade of the West and Southwest, which was published in 1874 and remains a valuable resource for understanding the history of the cattle trade.
In 1880, Joseph G. McCoy was commissioned as a livestock dealer in Kansas City, Missouri. He was later employed by the U.S. Census Bureau to report on the livestock industry for the eleventh census. He also served as an agent for the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma for some years. In 1890, he returned to Kansas and ran unsuccessfully as a candidate for the U.S. Congress.
Joseph McCoy died in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 19, 1915. A popular anecdote suggests that McCoy boasted before leaving Chicago that he would bring 200,000 head of cattle in 10 years and exceeded expectations by bringing two million head in four years, leading to the phrase "It’s the Real McCoy." However, the origin of the phrase is likely derived from a Scottish poem published in 1856 that used "The real MacKay." Other associations of the phrase are with inventor Elijah McCoy’s oil-drip cup, which was preferred by many railroad engineers over other “inferior” products.
Regardless of the phrase’s origin, Joseph G. McCoy was an important figure in the history of Kansas. He played a pivotal role in the development of the cattle trade and transformed Abilene into a bustling hub of commerce. His contributions to the livestock industry and the economic growth of the American West are undeniable.