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Black Cowboys of Texas
In the early days of Texas, the work of the cowhand was essential to the newly arrived settlers building a life on the frontier. The story of the Anglo cowboys who worked the ranches of Texas is well known, but much more remains to be discovered about the African American cowhands who worked side-by-side with the vaqueros and Anglo cowboys.
The cowboy learned his craft from the vaqueros of New Spain and Texas when it was the northern territory of Mexico, as well as from the stock raisers of the south. Such a life was hardly glamorous. Poorly fed, underpaid, overworked, deprived of sleep, and prone to boredom and loneliness, cowboys choked in the dust, were cold at night, and suffered broken bones in falls and spills from horses spooked by snakes or tripped by prairie dog holes. Work centered on the fall and spring roundups, when scattered cattle were collected and driven to a place for branding, sorting for market, castrating, and in later years, dipping in vats to prevent tick fever.
African American cowboys, however, also had to survive discrimination, bigotry, and prejudice. The lives of these cowhands tell a story of skill and grit, as they did what was necessary to gain the trust and respect of those who controlled their destiny. That meant being the best—at roping, bronc busting, taming mustangs, calling the brands, controlling the remuda, or topping off horses.
From scattered courthouse records, writings, and interviews with a few of the African American cowhands who were part of the history of Texas, Sara Massey and a host of writers have retrieved the stories of a more diverse cattle industry than has been previously recorded.
Twenty-five writers here recount tales of African Americans such as Peter Martin, who hauled freight and assisted insurgents in a rebellion against the Mexican government while building a herd of cattle that allowed him to own (through a proxy) rental houses in town. Bose Ikard, a friend of Charles Goodnight, went on Goodnight’s first cattle drive opening the Goodnight-Loving Trail. Johanna July, a Black Seminole woman, had her own method of taming horses in the Rio Grande for the soldiers at Fort Duncan.
These cowhands, along with others across the state, had an important role that too long has been omitted from most history books. By telling their stories, Black Cowboys of Texas provides an important contribution to Texas, Western, and African American history.
The cowboy learned his craft from the vaqueros of New Spain and Texas when it was the northern territory of Mexico, as well as from the stock raisers of the south. Such a life was hardly glamorous. Poorly fed, underpaid, overworked, deprived of sleep, and prone to boredom and loneliness, cowboys choked in the dust, were cold at night, and suffered broken bones in falls and spills from horses spooked by snakes or tripped by prairie dog holes. Work centered on the fall and spring roundups, when scattered cattle were collected and driven to a place for branding, sorting for market, castrating, and in later years, dipping in vats to prevent tick fever.
African American cowboys, however, also had to survive discrimination, bigotry, and prejudice. The lives of these cowhands tell a story of skill and grit, as they did what was necessary to gain the trust and respect of those who controlled their destiny. That meant being the best—at roping, bronc busting, taming mustangs, calling the brands, controlling the remuda, or topping off horses.
From scattered courthouse records, writings, and interviews with a few of the African American cowhands who were part of the history of Texas, Sara Massey and a host of writers have retrieved the stories of a more diverse cattle industry than has been previously recorded.
Twenty-five writers here recount tales of African Americans such as Peter Martin, who hauled freight and assisted insurgents in a rebellion against the Mexican government while building a herd of cattle that allowed him to own (through a proxy) rental houses in town. Bose Ikard, a friend of Charles Goodnight, went on Goodnight’s first cattle drive opening the Goodnight-Loving Trail. Johanna July, a Black Seminole woman, had her own method of taming horses in the Rio Grande for the soldiers at Fort Duncan.
These cowhands, along with others across the state, had an important role that too long has been omitted from most history books. By telling their stories, Black Cowboys of Texas provides an important contribution to Texas, Western, and African American history.
382 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 6, 2023
I enjoyed this book because it dealt with an under covered subject in Texas history---the role of blacks. There are very few books that talk about the black experience here in Texas.
This book reminds you that black Cowboys helped the state succeed and grow.
Like a lot of anthologies, this book had some chapters that were better than others. Some were really good while others were meh.
Some of the chapters were really short while others were longer.
Some had more of an academic feel while some seemed to lack any academic rigor whatsoever.
The book was one of jeckyl and hyde---thus the three stars.
This book reminds you that black Cowboys helped the state succeed and grow.
Like a lot of anthologies, this book had some chapters that were better than others. Some were really good while others were meh.
Some of the chapters were really short while others were longer.
Some had more of an academic feel while some seemed to lack any academic rigor whatsoever.
The book was one of jeckyl and hyde---thus the three stars.
April 28, 2010
If you like reading about real people, this book is all about real people. No myths or legends. A compilation of articles, researched and written by various authors about a few of the black cowboys (and cowgirls) that rode the Texas range before and after the Civil War. Some are compiled from interviews during the depression-era WPA projects. Others are from interviews with family members and friends and research in local archives. Some real characters, the men and women. Life seldom singing and strumming a guitar. There are some real harrowing experiences these survivors of the harsh prairie life endured. I recommend it to anyone interested in some of teh history that didn't make it into the school textbooks.
March 16, 2024
“Black Cowboys of Texas” - (Volume 86) (Centennial Series of the Association of Former Students Texas A & M University) edited by Sara R. Massey. A well-documented, major work about the Black Cowboys of Texas, based up on the articles of over 24 educators. The Black Cowboys (and cowgirls) experienced the call for and the need for their services from before the Civil War (circa 1860s) as slaves, to afterwards as freedmen out to as late as circa 1890s and up to today when the big cattle drives ended but work was on ranches is never ending). The book consists of a number of well-documented and heavily footnoted articles about these unique characters. Many articles are based on the U.S. Census, state laws and records, newspaper articles, ranch records, and verbal remenbrances gathered by field researchers. The articles are entertaining and full of facts about the cowboys life, Buffalo Soldiers, Texas Rangers, and much more. It also includes Goodnight-Loving, Sedalia, and Chisholm trails and many cowboys, black and white, that went “up the trail” on the famous cattle drives and “rode for the brand”, spending many hours, day and night, in all kinds of weather “in the saddle”. Some became cattle owners, land owner, and rodeo stars. But the stories of many faithful hardworking black cowboys, like their white counterparts are lost to history. Along the way, we find standout persons such as Neptune Holmes, Mathew Bones Hooks, Louis Power, The Paynes of Texas, Aunt Rittie, Johanna July, Louis Power, and many more cowboys and cowgirls. My Highest Recommendation. Five OUTSTANDING Stars. Kindle, 382 pages.
December 25, 2021
Many chapters can be heavy considering the plight of our ancestors, but this is an enlightening, splendid read. Very fun reading about our ancestors breaking mustangs, stilling stampedes, and their grit in the face of bigotry. Educational and eye-opening. Highly recommend
March 1, 2020
Theses cowboys knew they had to be the best at everything, even if they weren't appreciated. The stories were interesting and learning the back stories of these cowboys was great.
March 11, 2026
A great (and surprisingly quick) read! Each chapter covers a different person, and there are so many interesting people in there. Highly recommend for anyone interested in Texas history.
March 21, 2012
Read my review at my blog.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews