The Great Western Cattle Trail
"At that time (1873) one thousand pound beeves sold in San Antonio for $8 per head, sold in Wichita, Kansas for $23.80 per head."
— C.W. Ackerman, San Antonio Cowboy
The American West, a landscape etched in history and myth, owes much of its enduring allure to the era of the great cattle drives. Among the numerous trails that crisscrossed the plains, one stands out for its length and the duration of its service: The Great Western Cattle Trail. While perhaps not as universally recognized as the Chisholm Trail, this vital artery of commerce and migration played a crucial role in shaping the economic and social fabric of the late 19th-century American West, carrying cattle for two years longer than the Chisholm Trail.
The story of The Great Western Cattle Trail is inextricably linked to the transformative events following the American Civil War. The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad acted as a catalyst, opening up vast swathes of the West to settlement and economic opportunity. Simultaneously, Texas cattlemen found themselves in dire need of markets for their burgeoning herds. The state was awash in longhorn cattle, a legacy of the war years when many herds roamed untended, multiplying rapidly. With local markets unable to absorb the massive surplus, Texas ranchers sought avenues to drive their cattle north to meet the growing demand for beef in eastern cities.
Early attempts to connect Texas cattle to northern markets led to the establishment of trails like the Shawnee Trail and the Chisholm Trail. However, the westward expansion of the railroads rendered these routes increasingly obsolete. As railheads moved further west, new trails were needed to connect the Texas grazing lands with these vital transportation hubs. This is where The Great Western Cattle Trail enters the narrative.
In 1874, a pivotal event occurred that would shape the future of cattle driving. John T. Lytle, a seasoned Texas drover, embarked on a journey to transport 3,500 longhorn cattle from the fertile ranges of Texas to Fort Robinson, Nebraska, a strategic military outpost. In doing so, Lytle effectively blazed a new trail, carving a path that would become known as the Great Western Trail. The route originated in the hill country near Kerrville, Texas, and ran in a northerly direction, roughly parallel to the more established Chisholm Trail, eventually reaching the bustling cow towns of Kansas.
The following year, 1875, marked a turning point for the trail. The successful conclusion of the Red River War by the U.S. Army, which resulted in the relocation of the Comanche and Kiowa tribes to reservations, significantly reduced the threat of Native American raids along the trail. This newfound security made Lytle’s route increasingly attractive to cattlemen. By 1879, The Great Western Cattle Trail had solidified its position as one of the most heavily traveled and historically significant cattle trails in the United States.
A typical cattle drive along the Great Western Trail was a carefully orchestrated endeavor. Herds of 2,500 to 3,000 head of cattle were driven at a pace of 10 to 12 miles per day. Although capable of covering as much as 25 miles in a single day, pushing the cattle too hard resulted in excessive weight loss, diminishing their market value. Skilled drovers understood the importance of managing the herd’s pace, allowing for ample rest and grazing at midday and night, ensuring that the cattle arrived at their destination in prime condition, sometimes even gaining weight along the way.
The success of a cattle drive hinged on the expertise and dedication of the trail crew. A minimum of ten cowboys was required to manage the herd, with each cowboy typically having three horses at their disposal. These men worked in shifts, maintaining a vigilant watch over the cattle around the clock, herding them during the day and guarding against stampedes and theft at night. The crew also included a trail boss, responsible for overall leadership and decision-making; a cook, who drove the chuck wagon and prepared meals; and a horse wrangler, often a younger or less experienced cowboy, who managed the remuda, or spare horses.
The cook held a particularly esteemed position within the crew. Beyond preparing meals, he was also responsible for maintaining the medical supplies and possessed a working knowledge of practical medicine, making him an invaluable asset in the event of illness or injury. A typical two-month cattle drive would incur expenses of approximately $1,000 in wages and provisions, a significant investment for the cattlemen.
Upon reaching the railheads in Kansas, the cattle were sold for prices ranging from $20.00 to $35.00 per head, a substantial profit compared to the prices in Texas. With their work completed, the cowboys were paid their wages and given leave. After months of arduous labor, monotonous meals, and abstaining from the temptations of civilization, they eagerly sought the amenities and entertainment offered by the cow towns. These towns, often characterized by their saloons, gambling halls, and brothels, provided an outlet for the cowboys to unwind and spend their hard-earned money. To maintain order in these often-rowdy environments, effective lawmen were essential. Figures like James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, Wyatt Earp, and Bat Masterson earned their legendary status by upholding the law in these boomtowns. After a few days of rest and revelry, the cowboys would typically return home with their wagons and horses, ready for the next drive.
The primary destination for cattle shipped along The Great Western Cattle Trail was Dodge City, Kansas, a bustling hub situated along the railroad. However, as cattlemen became aware of the vast open ranges further north, many began driving their herds deeper into Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, the Dakotas, and even as far as Canada. This expansion of the trail contributed to the economic development of these northern territories and states.
Despite its prominence, the era of The Great Western Cattle Trail was relatively short-lived. By 1885, traffic along the trail began to decline due to several factors. The increasing use of barbed wire fences restricted the open range, hindering the movement of large herds. The introduction of beefier cattle breeds, better suited to settled agriculture, also reduced the demand for the lean longhorns. However, the most significant factor contributing to the trail’s demise was the implementation of quarantines on Texas cattle due to "Texas Fever," a disease transmitted by parasitic ticks. Carried northward by the longhorns, the disease decimated northern herds, prompting many northern states and territories to ban the import of Texas cattle.
In an attempt to address the challenges faced by Texas cattlemen, Congressman James Francis Miller, brother-in-law of Art Lytle, proposed legislation to establish a federally supervised National Trail north of Texas. However, the proposal failed to gain sufficient support and was not enacted.
The last documented cattle drive along The Great Western Cattle Trail occurred in 1893, when John Rufus Blocker drove his herd from West Texas to Deadwood, South Dakota. By this time, an estimated six million cattle and one million horses had been driven along the trail to northern pastures and markets, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the American West.
The legacy of the Great Western Trail is evident in the numerous communities that thrived along its path. Dodge City, Kansas, famously proclaimed itself the "cowboy capital of the world." Other towns that played significant roles in the cattle trade included Ogallala, Nebraska; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Miles City, Montana; and Medora, North Dakota. In Texas, Amarillo, Fort Worth, Buffalo Gap, Abilene, Doan’s Crossing, and Seymour served as important stops along the trail, providing supplies, services, and entertainment for the drovers and their crews.
The Great Western Cattle Trail stands as a testament to the resilience, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit of the individuals who shaped the American West. It was a vital artery of commerce, a pathway of migration, and a crucible of cultural exchange that left an enduring legacy on the landscape and the collective memory of the nation.