Beech Tree News Network

Most boys growing up wanted to be cowboys- I am talkin’ those of my era. I got my first coloring book at around five or six. It was not “Jack and Jill went up the hill”; It was the Lone Ranger and Tonto- his faithful Indian companion. 

I never thought about where they lived, or took a bath, or went to the bathroom. They just appeared on the scene when some meanness needed taking care of.  That was good enough. They always looked clean though; neat and pressed. All our heroes in movies and books, rode, shot, and chased bad men most of the time. We didn’t know or care that real cowboys rode fence, busted ice-over water holes in winter, and carried newborn calves across their saddles back to the ranch cow house. Or hauled out hay when the cattle couldn’t reach what little graze there was beneath the snow. Range cattle stayed outside. 

The movie cowboys rode the finest horses, fancy saddles, had fancy spurs and boots, and hats; the best six-guns money could buy. Yet none of them ever seemed to have a real job. We liked that. No chores! But kids don’t need the real thing yet. They need a lot of PLACK-time. Translated, that “play-like” – “Let’s ‘PLACK’ so- and-so. You plack Roy, and I’ll plack Gabby- I’ll plack Roy next time.” Too, real cowhand work was seasonal. Most cowboys were laid off in the winter. They rode what was known as the “grub-line”, until spring. The grub line was where big ranchers would put a rider up for part or all of the winter, without pay, in exchange for winter chores. Come spring and cow work, the grub line would go back on the payroll; usually $30/monthly and found food and bunks. 

Most cowhands owned their own saddle. A good cow horse was out of the question. They owned a bedroll and a fairly good saddle blanket and bridle, if they were careful with their money. 

The vest a working cowhand wore was not for show. It freed up his arms, and at the same time in the vest pockets he could carry small items like matches, chaw tobacco, etc. Cigarette makin’s were usually carried in his shirt pocket. Too he was expected to shoe his own horse… one of the skills needed to get hired. 

Did he love it? Yes. Would he do anything else? No. Did he ever get rich? No. 

Some of the myths we saw at the movies were: a rider never rode a white horse, if he planned to live and do well- this was when the west was the new frontier, and hostile most of the time. A white horse stood out like a sore thumb. 

You never sat around at night and starred into a campfire. Obviously you couldn’t see what was around you out there in the dark, after a time. 

You made your bedroll back away from the light of the campfire, and doused the fire somewhat. 

On long cattle drives the heard would get up at midnight, stretch and lay back down. They wasn’t about to run. They changed sides, kind of like when we ourselves turn over in bed. Some cowhands hummed or sang in a low voice as they rode night guard around the herd. Some played a harmonica- probably the first cowboy instrument. 

A cowhand never rode the same horse all day long. On long cattle drives he might change horse five or six times- depends on the size of the cow herd. This called for a large remora. ( horse herd)

How do you tell a hostile Indian from a coyote call? The human voice has an echo the animal does not. Beware the echo. 

Always try to drink up-stream of the herd. Waters better. 

Kindest Regards…