The Chuck Wagon Cook

On the Back Porch

Today, as we enjoy our evening meal, think back to a time long ago when Texas was just a fledgling state and the cattle drives were beginning.

Did you ever wonder what suppertime looked like for the cowboys working those herds?

Well, many times it was every man for himself and that probably meant gnawing on a piece of jerked venison or beef and washing it down with a swallow from a canteen that was filled at the last river crossing.

In 1865, at the end of the War of Northern Aggression, men returning to Texas found great herds of wild cattle. They were abundant because they had virtually been ignored for the past 5 to 6 years and the natural increase resulted in the massive herds.

At this same time, large populations in the north and east were clamoring for beef!

Enterprising ranchers in Texas rose to meet this new need by forming crews of men to gather these wild cattle and drive them north to the railheads where they would be shipped east to meatpackers that in turn shipped beef to the cities of the northeast. Then as the cattle drives caught on, the  competition for good quality cowboys stiffened and it became apparent that an improvement in working con ditions was needed to get the best men.

As a result, along about 1866, history was being formed by Charles Goodnight, an early pioneer in the cattle drive era who was also considered to be “The father of the Texas Panhandle.”

Charlie was the innovator of the “chuck wagon.” He bought war surplus munitions wagons and had them rebuilt using the toughest wood available, seasoned bois d’arc. He replaced the wood axles and used iron axles instead. And then he built a chuck box on the rear of the wagon. The chuck box had shelving and drawers to hold cooking supplies and utensils. There was a hinged back lid with a swinging leg to form a work table for the cook when it was folded down.

A companion “hoodlum” wagon could be used to carry bedrolls and other needs for the drive. The chuck wagon carried all the needs for the cook to provide meals for the cowboy crew as the cattle drives traveled for miles and took many days to complete. The chuck wagon was the responsibility of the chuck wagon cook, sometimes called “Coozie” or other endearing names.

He was in charge of the wagon and the area where camp was set up. The cowboys respected his domain and were careful not to infringe on these inferred boundaries. He was usually older, wiser, and cantankerous. The cook also wore the hats of counselor, banker, preacher, referee, and doctor. He was paid more than cowboy wages and more was expected of him, since the morale of the men was a critical element on the drive. But, sometimes the cook would get fed-up with the day to day humdrum of the drive and just up and quit! This usually occurred after imbibing a snoot full of “snake bite medicine!” Then the cowboss would have to hire another “Coozie.”

The Chuck Wagon Cook

A cowboys’s job gets done better when he’s fed,
Or so ol’ Coozie would allow,
An idea began to stir in his head,
An’ a plan wrinkled his brow.
It started as a method to meet a ranchers needs,
Just a box with four spoked wheels,
A hinged tongue that swung to and fro to hook the harness leads,
A rawhide brake that squeals.
The bed was built from some seasoned bois d’arc planks,
An’ a seat with two bow springs,
An’ those that rode it was mighty sparing with their thanks,
Bumps made you wish you had wings.
In the rear, you slapped up some shelves an’ slidin’ drawers,
To carry stuff like pots an’ pans,
Along with cookin’ supplies,
snake bite meds an’ some cigars,
Maybe, tomatoes in cans.
An’ coffee, lots of it, boiled black an’ strong,
Essential to a cowboys needs,
Maybe so just add a little sugar along,
Count it as one of your good deeds.
A cook does doctorin’ an’ bankin’ an’ such,
When the fellers have a need,
Sundays, you read from the Book, help ‘em stay in touch,
Sometimes, fights you refereed.
You wore a lotta hats, in your domain,
You take good care of the crew,
An’ you’ll do your work an’ you don’t complain,

Do what’s expected of you.
This job demands that you do as best you could,
Maybe you could use that young sprout,
A young feller could haul in lotsa firewood,
Help put all the bedrolls out.
You could soak the beans,
slice off some steaks you fixed,
For when the cowboys come in,

While a fresh batch of sour dough biscuits you mixed,

A real favorite of these men.
The long day ends with a stretch an’ a yawn,
As cowboys sleep the sleep of the pure,
The coffee will be hot, before the dawn,
A new day breaks with fresh allure.
That’s how it is, mile upon mile, day after day,
The chuck wagon cook is key,
Holdin’ to the cowboy code as they make their way,
To carry out their destiny.

God bless each of you and God Bless America!

The Marlin Democrat

251 Live Oak St
Marlin, TX 76661
Phone: (254) 883-2554
Fax:(254) 883-6553