History gives many accounts of the cowboy

History gives many accounts of legendary spirits called “Cowboys.” 

Their time in history was short, but their memory lives today through literary accounts that include poetry, song, the silver screen and dime novels. 

Many accomplishments may never be revealed although they helped shape the American frontier. The final result developed into a true living romance of the west. 

In reality, the life of an 1880s cowboy required a hard physical and lonely life for very low pay. In fact, from an account of the life of Tom Blasingame, who was touted as the oldest living cowboy at the time just before his death, related that his pay for a day of driving cattle was “two-bits a day.” 

History tells us that the Spanish vaqueros were the first cowboys in Texas, with the first cattle drive in 1779. Their legacy is left today as seen through the use of techniques and gear that have spanned the ravages of time. Historic ranches such as the JA on the Llano Estacado in the Palo Dura Canyon area where Charlie Goodnight reined and introduced the chuckwagon. 

Then his epic ride with Oliver Loving and their scout Bose Ickard that lives on through Larry McMurty’s western novel and movie, “Lonesome Dove.” And there were famous scouts such as Texas Jack Omohundro and rodeo stars like William “Bill” Pickett that was  honored as the first Black American to be inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame. 

The advent of railroads  and rail cars used for shipping cattle became more widespread, bringing less need for long cattle drives. Then the winter of 1887 was so severe many cattle died and this was the beginning to the end of the cowboy era.

Campbell Creek Camp

In the early days of Texas, where legends came about,

A place where stories would abound,

An’ the air would ring with cowboy whoop an’ shout,

Here, Campbell Creek Camp was found.

The legend told how the old man had cowboyed for years,

‘Crost this rugged land, trails he’d trod,

Blessed to be a part of a life that rode these frontiers,

An’ quietly he gave thanks to God.

He took his coffee black, an’ it was steamin’ hot,

An’ he knawed on an old corn dodger,

Day was comin’ on at a purty fast trot,

Movin’ too quick for this old codger.

He slowly stepped into the early mornin’ dark,

To put out feed for Ol’ Ned,

An’ gazed at the stars a twinklin’ beyond the park,

Now, he had the critters fed.

At first light he gathered tack, weathered and worn,

An’ rubbed his old ponies back,

A lot of winters had passed since they were born,

An’ many a mile down the track.

He rubbed that ol’ ponies head an’ slid on the headstall,

An’ eased the bridle in his mouth,

Talkin’ soft, he said, with a bit of a western drawl,

“I ‘spect we’ll be headed  out south.”

There’s a couple of watergaps that needs to be mended,

An’ of course them windmills to check,

So, we’ll take it slow ‘cuz there’s trees that the wind upended,

I’ll tell you, that ol’ storm shore played heck!

So, he smoothed that blanket an’ cinched the saddle tight,

An’ speakin’ softly stepped on,

Without a command, Ol’ Ned stepped into mornin’ light,

Slow, you see, their trail was known.

An’ that is just how it had been for a spell,

They both seemed to know what was next,

An’ life was good as they headed down that ol’ trail,

Knowin’ what each other expects.

Then the oldtimer sent up a prayer to the Lord,

Thankful for his time on this earth,

An’ a wonderful life so free and not so very hard,

Knowin’ God had give him rebirth.

An’ the joy in his heart caused him to burst into song,

Even Ol’ Ned seemed to smile,

Made the time pass as they plodded along,

Yessir, this western way of life was their style.

They were both dreaming of a long ago day.

When life took its twists and its turns,

A day when just living seemed akin to child’s play,

An’ you put away your concerns.

But the years have slowly an’ silently passed by,

‘Til now, it’s just him an’ Ol’ Ned

An’ his thinkin’ gave him to know how time could fly,

Just ridin’ the trails on this spread.

See,  they savvied one another, their partnership was true,

An’ together their lot was cast,

So, they rode each day, takin’ life as it came through,

An’ to the Lord’s Grace they held fast.

In the early days of Texas where legends came about,

This place where stories would abound,

An’ the air would ring with cowboy whoop an’ shout,

Here Campbell Creek Camp was found.

©  Ol’ Jim Cathey   

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