Historical Perspective

Between the late 1860's and the early 1880's, Texas cattlemen drove millions of Texas longhorn cattle north, through a thousand miles of virtual wilderness, to trail-heads in Kansas.
The trail boss of a cattle drive was someone more mature and experienced than the usual cowboy. he could read, write, and cipher. He would be a natural leader, able to command others and manage the drive through various hazards. One of his responsibilities was to ride ahead of the drive. He would scout out the best route for grass and water, and locate the most likely place for the noon lunch stop. Often he might ride back to a prominent point above the herd. Then he would ride in circles to raise dust and attract the attention of the drovers. By pointing in a given direction with his hat, the drovers would know where to direct the herd. The average drover's equipment would be stripped down to little more than his lairiat and possibly a pistol. The trail boss, on his scout would carry saddlebags, slicker, rifle, canteen, and often binoculars as well. Many an ambitious trail boss could work up to purchasing and including some of his own cattle in the drive. In this way he could gradually establish his own ranching operation.