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Home , Bill Pickett, Black cowboys, Bucking, Bucking horse, Charro, Cowboy poetry

Social Education 72(4), pp 189–193 ©2008 National Council for the Social Studies Legacy of the American West: Indian Cowboys, , and

S. Kay Gandy

Oh, I’m a lonely and I’m off the , My trade is cinchin’ and pullin’ reins. For I can twist a with the greatest skill and ease, Or rope and ride a bronco most anywhere I please. —“Lone Star Trail,” recorded by Ken Maynard, 1930.

he cowboy is viewed as an Association. The Professional their horseback riding skills, particularly American icon: rider of the open Cowboys Association sanctions around warriors, noted for their abil- range, rugged individual, and 700 annually. ity to shoot arrows from under a ’s T 4 champion of good. Many young chil- Why is it important to study cowboys? neck while galloping onwards. dren pretend to be cowboys, riding stick The introduction of and by Since laws of the day made it necessary ponies and shooting “bad guys.” When the Spanish conquistadors transformed to register cattle brands, annual round- I was growing up, shows pep- the local culture, influenced the econom- ups were held. Branding cattle, riding pered the television screen: Bonanza, ics of the times, and created a national horses, and roping skills were a natural Have Gun Will Travel, identity with the cowboy. Yet our under- part of the cowboy existence and often West, Rifleman, High Chapparell, Lone standing of cowboys has, for the most part, led to competitions for bragging rights Ranger, , and . been informed by movies and television as to who was the best. The rodeo was a Authors, such as Louis L’Amour and shows. Dime store novels and Wild West natural extension of activities that were Zane Grey, have documented the life shows helped construct the stereotypi- a fundamental part of the cowboy life. of a cowboy through more than 200 cal images of the “white” cowboy and In a rodeo, the Native was not locked stories. Recordings by singing cowboys the red-skinned “savages.” However, the in the stereotype of primitive savage, Roy Rogers and were a part cowboy culture and history are a product but could be established as a skillful of my early music collection. of men and women of many ethnicities; horseman or roper. Some noted Native But the cowboy life was not an easy therefore, it is imperative that students cowboys include: life. Beans, bacon, and coffee were the be exposed to the many influences that leading sustenance, a bedroll under the shaped the American cowboy. 1. Jackson Sundown (Nez stars served as home most days, and Perce), winner of the World pay was about $30 per month.1 The When Indians were Cowboys Championship Rodeo in 1916; work was tough. Cowboys faced cattle As the West was often portrayed as a rustlers, stampedes, Indian raids, and battlefield between cowboys and Indians, 2. Tom Three Persons (Blood), hostile white settlers. They had to make it may be difficult for students to under- winner of the first World sure the herd had plenty to eat and drink, stand that so-called Indians were often Horse Championship at and often had to drive cattle hundreds cowboys. The early Spanish missionaries the Calgary Stampede in 1912; of miles to the nearest railroad. trained Native Americans as cattle herd- Cowboys are still very much a ers. Many Natives adopted ranching into 3. (Cherokee), noted part of American culture today. High their economies.2 As Native Americans writer and actor who grew up as a school and college students participate had historically worked with animals and cowboy; in rodeos sponsored by the National lived in close relation to the natural world, High School Rodeo Association and ranching provided connections to that 4. Teesquantee Woolman the National Intercollegiate Rodeo heritage.3 Natives were recognized for (Cherokee), three times National

M a y /Ju n e 2008 189 racial oppression, many blacks went west in the 1800s. The Civil War gen- erated many African American cowboys, as white ranchers went off to fight in . White and black cowboys worked together, sharing the same bunkhouse, same food, and often the same pay. Yet blacks still faced social discrimination. Rarely did a black cowboy advance to the level of trail boss or foreman; and in saloons, blacks were forced to stay at the end of the bar.8 Saloons often segregated by class and race, charging from five cents to twenty-five cents for a mug of beer.9 Although most movies and books excluded the black cowboy, Herbert Jeffries (the first singing black cowboy) convinced Hollywood to make sev- eral all-black cowboy movies.10 These 1930s Western musicals created the hero known as the Bronze Buckaroo, acknowledged later in The Untold West, Turner Broadcasting Service’s documen- tary on the legacy of black cowboys on the . Jeffries sang his own Western compositions in the mov- ies, some of which were released in a 1995 CD, The Bronze Buckaroo (Rides Again).11 of Hockley, Texas, competes to score a time of 7.4 seconds in Like Native American cowboys, during the opening night of the on Dec. 6, 2002, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta) African American cowboys soon orga- nized their own competitions and asso- ciations. The Southwestern Colored Finals Rodeo (NFR) Team Peoples and Cattle Ranching in the Cowboys Association was formed in Roping World Champion; American West (Iverson, 1997), and the 1940s. The Bill Picket International Tom Three Persons: Legend of an Indian Rodeo, which has been in existence 5. Tom Reeves (), team cap- Cowboy, (Dempsey, 1997). more than 20 years, is dedicated to tain for U.S. Olympic rodeo team keeping the legacy alive of black cow- in 2002. Black Cowboys boys who helped define the American American history textbooks frequently West (www.billpickettrodeo.com/web/pages/ Native cowboys were often dis- omit contributions of black cowboys, yet main.htm). criminated against in early profes- about one in every four cowboys was There are many famous black cow- sional rodeos, which led to the forma- African American.5 A former cowboy, boys documented in historical records tion of such organizations as the Indian Silver Walker (an African American), and children’s literature. Some books National Finals Rodeo (www.infr.org) was one of the leading horse racers in I recommend are Black Cowboy, Wild and the All Indian Rodeo Cowboys 1870. In fact, the winning jockey of the Horses: A True Story (Lester, 1998), The Association (www.aircarodeo.com). Other first Kentucky Derby was black. Until Story of Stagecoach Mary Fields (Miller, famous Native cowboys can be found at the early 1900s, there were many black 1994), and , Rodeo-Ridin’ the Indian Rodeo News website (indian- jockeys winners, such as Ike Murphy Cowboy (Pinkney, 1996). Information rodeonews.com/PRCAIndianCowboys.htm). who won the Derby three times.6 on many black cowboys can also be Two books that teachers could use to The word “cowboy” may have first found at www.blackcowboys.com. Listed find background information include been used as a description of a black below are some of the more famous When Indians Became Cowboys: Native slave’s role with cattle.7 Impelled by cowboys.

S o c i a l Ed u c a t i o n 190 Nat “Deadwood Dick” Love, Charles Sampson, first black • Piales, lassoing an animal former slave considered expert champion bull rider for ProRodeo roper, rider, and shooter (Nat in 1982. • Coleada, grabbing the of bull, wrote the only known autobiog- wrapping it around your right leg raphy of an African American Vaqueros () and spinning the bull to the ground cowhand); When the Spanish introduced horses and cattle to the Americas, large • Jineteada de toros, Bose Ikard, former slave who were established in . This created became right-hand man to one a demand for skilled vaqueros to rope, • Jineteada de yeguas, riding a bucking of the richest cattlemen in Texas ride, control, and protect the animals. bareback (The character played by Danny The word “” came from the word Glover in the movie Lonesome vaca, the Spanish word for cow. Cowboys • , equestrian ballet Dove was based on Bose Ikard); often referred to themselves as buckaroos. performed by women and girls In Spanish, the “v” is pronounced like Bill Pickett, first African a “b,” so vaquero may have evolved into • Paso de muerte (leap of death), three American inducted into the bukero, then finally buckaroo. is teammates chase a wild horse; one National Cowboy Hall of Fame; another Spanish term that means expert charro brings his horse alongside and credited with inventing “bulldog- horseman or cowboy. Charro became the leaps onto horse, grabs the mane, and ging” (Until he became famous, cultural construction of maleness to the rides until the horse tires.18 Pickett was often forced to dress Spanish settlers.12 Charro referred to the as a Mexican toreador, as many landowner and vaquero to the poorly Regulations of the Federacion de rodeos did not admit black contes- paid laborer. The dirty work of the Charros prohibit women from compet- tants); cowboy was beneath the nobility. ing in any charro event. Mostly they serve hands consisted of Indians and behind the scenes as organizers and host- Two famous African American (the mixed race descendants of Indians esses of La . The only event lawmen were Willie Kennard and Spanish).13 Thousands of vaqueros for women is the precision riding team, in and . Kennard served worked on in Mexican territories, which women must ride .19 In as Marshal of Yankee Hill, a gold including Tejas before it became a part of early rodeo days, women were typically mining village in Colorado, and the .14 Vaqueros were even viewed as “window dressing” rather than Reeves served as a deputy U.S. invited to come to Hawaii in the 1830s competitors. During the Marshal in present-day ; to teach ranching skills to Hawaiians.15 of the 1880s, women first appeared as As the black cowboys, Mexicans also contestants and competed in all events Mary Fields, first African faced discrimination, earning less pay for a few years. Today, women appear in American woman to work as a U.S. and prevented from advancing to fore- timed events and seldom compete with postal worker (Mary broke gender, man or trail boss. men.20 racial, and age barriers delivering Cattle roundups were called rodeos, American cowboys learned their trade mail well into her 60s); from the Spanish word rodear that means from the Mexican vaquero: how to break “to go around” or “to surround.” 16 Fiestas, a bronc, ride a herd, throw a lariat, and Bob Lemmons, legendary tracker; which featured exhibition of riding and use a branding iron.21 Cowboy equip- roping, were held to celebrate the end ment, working techniques, clothes, enter- Isom Dart, great bronco-buster, of the round up. At this time, the char- tainment, range law, and organizations cowman, and cattle rustler; reada (riding competition) was estab- have their roots in Mexico.22 Even the lished. The early (rodeos) language of the charro became part of Fred Whitfield, first black rider served as a venue through men of any the English language, with such words to win a world title in rodeo’s social class could prove their worth and as rodeo, lariat, lasso, , taps, cinch, prestigious all-around division; gain statue.17 bandana, , and bronco. Many secured four championship gold North American rodeo origins can expressions and sayings can be contrib- buckles in calf roping; be traced to these festival pastimes in uted to the vaquero, such as: Mexico, and today include many of the Cranford Goldsby, a famous same events. Some of the events from La • Appearances are deceiving. outlaw, often compared to Billy Charreada included: the Kid; • Misfortune, like the rattler does • Cala de caballo, a test to show how not always give warning. well a charro handles his horse

M a y /Ju n e 2008 191 • It’s a cinch. lain. However, there were some Wild Teachers are responsible for creating West shows that featured outstanding a curriculum that balances the contribu- • someone on vaquero horsemen. In 1894, the best char- tions of various ethnic groups through- ros from Mexico made their first major out our history. For the American West, • Earmarked (identifying a steer expedition into the United States for a students could participate in a variety of belonging to a ranch) tour with ’s Wild West Show activities that would explore the heritage in New York.26 These skilled vaqueros of the many peoples who contributed • Keep your ears to the ground were known as the “Congress of Rough to the diverse cowboy culture. One way (listening for the approach of a Riders of the World.” The show also fea- would be to divide students into groups herd). tured renowned roper José Berrara, and and assign each group a different ethnic horsemen Antonio Esquival.27 group to research. Plan a panel discus- • Don’t let it throw you (referring to Other noted Mexican cowboys sion where students take on the role of a bucking bronc). include: various cowboys and answer questions about their careers and obstacles they • Give him the boot. 1. Ramon Ahumada, the only overcame. For an assessment, have stu- vaquero elected to the National dents write factual paragraphs that pro- • I’m being kept out of the loop. Cowboy Hall of Fame; vide important information typically left out of textbooks. • I’ve got to take the in my 2. Ignatio Flores, one of the An incentive to get students interested mouth.23 greatest trackers; and in the cowboy culture would be to ask stu- dents to dress as cowboys or to bring in The influx of farmers, immigrants, 3. El Tejano, a bandit who artifacts of cowboy life (bandana, , fences, trains, and small towns contrib- robbed from rich , chaps, hat, boots, lariat). Cook up uted to the demise of the cowboy life. Americans and gave to poor a Chuck Wagon feed of Old West cui- Plowing killed off the range, barbed Mexicans. sine, such as baked beans, biscuits, and wire limited access to grass and water, beef jerky. Read or sing and thousands of hands lost jobs when it Conclusion cowboy songs, then have students create became cheaper to ship cattle to market Cowboys are found in many countries their own writings. Cowboys sang songs by rail. But the myth of the “Wild West” around the world. In Chile, they are to soothe the restless cattle. Play Aaron was nurtured through stories and movies. called , in Argentina , in Copeland’s musical compositions called There were few Mexicans in these stories, Australia jackaroos, and in Venezuela “Rodeo” and “Hoedown.” Ask students to even though vaqueros made up more than . Their “horse” may be a pickup describe how the music creates pictures half the workforce on most Texas and truck or a helicopter, but cowboys still in their minds that relate to cowboys. southwestern ranches.24 The vaqueros ride the range. Western movies are still Have students research the many jobs that were mentioned were regarded as popular, and contemporary films, such of cowboys (, trail cook, bronco lazy and untrustworthy with a weakness as Unforgiven (Warner Bros., 1992) and buster, foreman, roper, top hand) and for women and liquor.25 Open Range (Touchstone Pictures, 2003), reflect on the discrimination against vari- Typically in Western mythology, the are more balanced in the depiction of ous groups. Ask questions such as, why do Mexican cowboy was portrayed as a vil- ethnicity in the Old West. you think the stories of Native American,

Related Websites

www.collegerodeo.com National Intercollegiate Rodeo www.billpickettrodeo.com/web/pages/main.htm Bill Pickett Association Invitational Rodeo: The Nation’s Only Touring Black Rodeo

www.nhsra.org National High School Rodeo Association www.lonehand.com/cowboy_songs_index.htm cowboy songs

www.blackcowboys.com Black Cowboys www.cowboypoetry.com cowboy poems

www.cowboysofcolor.org National Cowboys of Color Museum www.aircarodeo.com All Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association and Hall of Fame indianrodeonews.com/PRCAIndianCowboys.htm Indian Rodeo www.nationalcowboymuseum.org National Cowboy and Western News Heritage Museum

S o c i a l Ed u c a t i o n 192 African American and Hispanic cowboys the diverse legacy of cowboys would be 12. Olga Najera-Ramirez, “Engendering Nationalism: have been written out of history? Have a step toward the realization of this high Identity, Discourse, and the Mexican Charro,” Anthropological Quarterly 67, no. 1 (1994): 2. women successfully pursued careers in goal. 13. Russell Freedman, In the Days of the Vaqueros: rodeo? How have gay cowboys been America’s First True Cowboys (New York: Clarion Books, 2001): 5, 6. discriminated against in the cowboy Notes 14. Martin W. Sandler, Vaqueros: America’s First culture? 1. Robert W. Peterson, “Black Cowboys,” Boys’ Life 84, no. 4 (1994): 10. Cowmen (New York: H. Holt and Co., 2000): 19. To bring in geography to the cur- 2. Kimberly Hedrick, “Taking Stock of Indian Ranching,” 15. Ibid., 22. riculum, have students map some of the American Indian Nations: A Magazine of Indian 16. Freedman, 9. famous trails, such as the Old Chisholm America for Young People (2003), retrieved from 17. Najera-Ramirez, 2, 3. www.americanindian.ucr.edu/references/indian_ 18. George Ancona, Charro: The Mexican Cowboy (New Trail. What dangers did the cowboys face ranching/index.html. York: Harcourt, Inc., 1999): 8-20. on the trails? How did the geography of 3. Jan Penrose, “When all the Cowboys are Indians: 19. Najera-Ramirez, 8. The Nature of Race in All-Indian Rodeo,” Annals the land influence the way the trail was 20. Joseph Hoff, “Test of Cowboy Skills Led to Today’s of the Association of American Geographers 93, no. Rodeo,” Wild West 20, no. 1: 26, 27 (2007). 3 (2003): 691. developed? What other geographic fac- 21. Freedman, 51. tors influenced the movement of cattle? 4. Andria Jawory, “Rodeo Cowboys in Indian Country,” Native Peoples Magazine (2003), retrieved from 22. Melanie Cole, “Vaqueros,” Hispanic 8, no. 1 (1995): As “time” is often the enemy of teach- www.nativepeoples.com/article/articles/102/1/Rodeo- 51. ers, it would be beneficial to create a unit Cowboys-in-Indian-Country/Page1.html. 23. Sandler, 102. 24. Freedman, 55. which integrates the legacy of cowboys 5. Peterson, 10. 6. Gina De Angelis, The Black Cowboys (Philadelphia, 25. Sandler, 81. across the curriculum: the study of word Penn.: Chelsea House Publishers, 1998): 33. 26. Najera-Ramirez, 5. origins and cowboy poetry in language 7. Demetrius W. Pearson, “Shadow Riders of the 27. Sandler, 90, 91. arts; the study of land use, cattle drives, Subterranean Circuit: A Descriptive Account of Black Rodeo in the Texas Gulf Coast Region,” The and markets in social studies; or indus- Journal of American Culture 27, no. 2 (2004): 190. S. Kay Gandy was an elementary classroom try and foods in science. Multicultural 8. De Angelis, 28. teacher for 27 years. She is currently an assistant education as an integrative part of the 9. Slatta Cowboys of the Americas (New Haven, Conn.: professor in the Department of Curriculum and Yale University Press, 1990): 167. social studies curriculum should help Instruction at Western Kentucky University in 10. Mary A Dempsey, “The Bronze Buckaroo Rides Bowling Green, Kentucky. She can be reached at create students that recognize and respect Again,” American Visions 12, no. 4 (1997): 22. [email protected]. the cultures of diverse people. Studying 11. Ibid., 25.

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M a y /Ju n e 2008 193 Social Education 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 [email protected]