The Shawnee Trail – Driving Longhorns to Missouri
The American West, a land of sweeping plains and rugged terrain, witnessed a unique chapter in its history with the rise of cattle trails. Among these, the Shawnee Trail stands out as a vital artery for the burgeoning cattle industry, a pathway forged through hardship and ambition. Also known by several other names, including the Texas Road, the Sedalia Trail, and the Kansas Trail, this route facilitated the movement of vast herds of Texas Longhorn cattle from the Lone Star State to markets in the North. The Shawnee Trail wasn’t just a path; it was a lifeline, an economic driver, and a testament to the enduring spirit of the American West.
The origins of the Shawnee Trail trace back to the 1840s, evolving from pre-existing Indigenous trails and military roads. It stretched from Texas, traversing through present-day Oklahoma, Kansas, and ultimately reaching Missouri. This extensive network served as a crucial conduit for both trade and emigration, shaping the landscape and economy of the regions it touched.
Imagine the scene: dusty trails winding through the heartland, echoing with the rhythmic cadence of thousands of hooves. Cowboys, weathered and resolute, guided immense herds of Texas Longhorns northward, their silhouettes stark against the setting sun. This was the reality of the Shawnee Trail, a demanding journey fraught with challenges.
The trail’s trajectory began in the heart of Texas, near bustling hubs like Austin, Waco, and Dallas. From there, the cattle drives embarked on their arduous journey, crossing the formidable Red River near Preston, Texas. Continuing northward, the trail followed a path along the Grand River in present-day Oklahoma, eventually leading to Fort Gibson, a significant landmark along the way. From Fort Gibson, the trail branched out like the veins of a leaf, leading to various destinations in Kansas and Missouri. Some branches terminated in bustling Kansas towns such as Baxter Springs, while others reached Missouri metropolises including St. Louis, Sedalia, Independence, and Westport. These endpoints served as critical markets for the Texas cattle, fueling the economies of both the South and the North.
The name "Shawnee Trail" itself remains somewhat shrouded in mystery. While the precise origin is debated, a prominent theory suggests that it was named after a Shawnee Indian village located near the Red River. This connection to the Shawnee people underscores the deep historical ties between the trail and the Indigenous populations who inhabited the land long before the arrival of cattle drives.
As the volume of cattle traversing the Shawnee Trail increased, so did an unforeseen consequence: the spread of a devastating disease known as "Texas Fever." The Longhorns themselves appeared immune, but they carried ticks that transmitted the disease to other cattle breeds. Midwestern cattle, unfamiliar with the illness, proved highly susceptible, often succumbing to the disease after mingling with Longhorns or grazing in pastures they had recently occupied.
The effects of Texas Fever were devastating. In 1853, after the sale of Texas cattle in Sarcoxie County, Missouri, during the winter of 1852, the link between the Longhorns and the disease became undeniable. Local farmers, witnessing their herds decimated, took drastic action. In June 1853, a group of enraged farmers blocked the path of approximately 3,000 Longhorns being driven up the Shawnee Trail in Missouri, forcing them to turn back.
The blockade marked a turning point. Although cattle drives continued, drovers faced increasing hostility and resistance. Vigilance committees formed, and political maneuvering intensified, as farmers sought to protect their livelihoods. In December 1855, the Missouri Legislature passed a law banning the entry of diseased cattle into the state. However, the law proved ineffective, as the Longhorns themselves were not considered diseased, only carriers.
Frustrated with the legal system’s shortcomings, farmers once again took matters into their own hands, resorting to tactics such as turning back herds and disrupting trail routes. Some drovers attempted to circumvent the blockades by driving their cattle through eastern Kansas, but they soon encountered similar opposition. The Sunflower State, too, enacted its own protective laws, further restricting the movement of Texas cattle.
Despite the growing challenges, the Shawnee Trail continued to play a role in the transportation network of the West. Parts of the trail were even utilized by stagecoach lines, most notably Butterfield’s Overland Mail, which operated between 1857 and 1861. However, the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 brought a significant shift. Texas cattle were prohibited from being shipped north, effectively severing a vital source of income for the Confederacy. Travel on the Shawnee Trail dwindled, except for its use as a military road by both Union and Confederate armies. Two battles were fought along the route, including the Battle of Honey Springs northeast of present-day Checotah, Oklahoma, and the Battle of Baxter Springs in Kansas.
The end of the Civil War ushered in a new era for the Texas cattle industry. The Lone Star State was awash with an estimated five million head of cattle, but the lack of railroads to transport them to market resulted in drastically low prices, fetching a mere $3 to $4 per head. Meanwhile, in the northern and eastern states, there was a pent-up demand for beef, with prices soaring to ten times that amount.
Texas cattlemen, recognizing the potential for immense profits, sought to connect with the nearest railheads. However, the obstacles remained formidable. In the spring of 1866, drovers began wrangling an estimated 200,000 to 260,000 Longhorns northward from Texas. While many were turned back or significantly delayed due to the persistent fear of Texas Fever, some drovers managed to navigate around the hostile settlements, successfully reaching markets and reaping substantial rewards.
One such individual was James M. Daugherty, a young man who embarked on a challenging cattle drive in 1866. At the tender age of 15, Daugherty was entrusted with driving a herd of 500 head from his employer, James Adams, to Sedalia, Missouri, then the terminus of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Despite the inherent dangers of traveling through the unsettled territory, Adams had faith in Daugherty’s abilities.
Daugherty’s journey was fraught with peril. He crossed the Red River and navigated through the Arkansas Mountains to Fort Smith, avoiding exorbitant taxes imposed by Indigenous tribes on herds passing through their territory. However, upon reaching the southern Kansas-Missouri border, Daugherty and his fellow drovers were ambushed by a band of Jayhawkers dressed in buckskin and coonskin caps. The attackers stampeded the herd, killed one of the drovers, and tied Daugherty to a tree. Despite the ordeal, Daugherty managed to recover approximately 350 head of cattle and sold them in Fort Scott, Kansas, turning a profit.
By the first half of 1867, six states had enacted laws restricting cattle trailing, signaling the decline of the Shawnee Trail. Texas cattlemen realized that they needed to find alternative solutions. Enter Joseph G. McCoy, a young livestock dealer who envisioned establishing a shipping depot for cattle in the West. McCoy recognized the railroad companies’ desire to expand their freight operations and soon selected Abilene, Kansas, as the site for his depot. He then opened the Abilene Trail through Indian Territory from Texas.
As railheads expanded westward, new cowtowns emerged, including Ellsworth, Caldwell, Wichita, and Dodge City, each developing its own unique reputation as a wild and woolly frontier town. These towns became vital hubs for the cattle trade, replacing the Shawnee Trail as the primary conduit for moving Texas Longhorns to market.
The Shawnee Trail stands as a powerful symbol of the American West, a testament to the resilience, ambition, and resourcefulness of the individuals who shaped its history. Although the era of large-scale cattle drives along the Shawnee Trail eventually faded, its legacy remains etched in the annals of the West, a reminder of a pivotal chapter in the nation’s past.