The Chuck Wagon and

Texas Cattle DrivesFourth Grade Social Studies

The Chuck Wagon• Invented and designed by Charles

Goodnight• Before the wagon, many cowboys

carried their own food in sacks or in their saddle bags.

• When drives became longer, a pack mule was used to carry the food.

• Finally, an oxcart was used but the oxen were too slow.

The Chuck Wagon• In 1866, Charles Goodnight bought the

gear of an Army wagon that had axles of iron instead of wood.

• Goodnight’s wagon was covered with canvas over bows.

• In front were supplies, a barrel of water, bedding and tools.

• In the rear was the chuck box. • The chuck box had several drawers for

utensils and food. • The hinged door of the chuck box came

down atop a folding leg to become a work table or counter space for the cook.

• Under the bottom of the wagon was a cowhide sling called a cooney. (in Spanish “cuna” means cradle).

• Some cowboys called it the “possum belly”.

• This was where the cook stored firewood or sticks to use for his cooking fire.

The Chuck Wagon

The Chuck Wagon• Before the trail drives, the cook had to stock the

wagon with enough food to last one or two months.• Food for the trail had to last without spoiling during

long, hot days. • There was no refrigeration to keep it fresh.• There were only a few foods that would not spoil, so

cowboys ate the same kind of meals over and over again.

• Meals were cooked over a campfire in a pot that hung from a pothook above the fire or they used a Dutch Oven.

The Cowboy’s Meals

Sample Trail Menu

Breakfast: bread or biscuits, coffee

Lunch: chili or stew, bread, water

Supper: steak and beans, potatoes with gravy, biscuits, water and coffee

Texas Cattle Drives• By the 1820s, many American settlers

moved west to become ranchers. • The newcomers saw a great business

opportunity in gathering the longhorn cattle and selling it to markets in the east.

• Since there was no refrigeration in the 1800s, the cattle had to be taken live to the cities.

• These cities had railway stations and they also became cattle towns.

Texas Cattle Drives

Texas Cattle Drives• Ranchers hired cowboys to guide the cattle

on the long walk to the cattle towns.• The walk was known as a cattle drive or trail

drive.• It took about 7-10 cowboys to watch over

1,000 head of cattle on the trail.• Every cowboy had an important role.• The trail boss was in charge of all the

cowboys and cattle; point riders led the herd; swing riders rode alongside cattle to turn them in the right direction; flank riders kept the herd from spreading out; drag riders rode behind the herd to keep the cattle moving; wranglers were in charge of remuda (extra horses); the cook drove the chuck wagon.

Dangers on the Trail• Wolves, bears, scorpions,

and rattlesnakes• Blizzards and lack of

water• The biggest danger was a

stampede.• Stampedes often occurred

at night, when the cattle could not see what was around them.

• During a stampede, frightened cattle ran off in all directions.

Fun on the Trail• Cowboys worked hard, but they liked to have

fun too.• They played dominoes or cards.• Cowboys competed in riding contests which

helped them practice handling horses and roping cattle.

• Singing, humming, and whistling were part of the every day life of cowboys.

• Some cowboys played instruments such as the harmonica, fiddle, or guitar.

• After supper, cowboys would gather around the campfire to tell tall tales (exaggerated stories).

Arriving at the Cattle Town• The cattle trails ended at

cattle towns.• Cattle towns were also

known as boomtowns, because they boomed or grew quickly.

• Cattle towns were busy when cowboys arrived.

• The cowboys were paid $100 at the end of the trail drive and they were ready to spend their money.

Texas Cattle Drives

• Most famous trails: Chisholm Trail, Shawnee/Sedalia Trail, Goodnight-Loving Trail and Western Trail.

Texas Cattle DrivesTrail Name

From City

To City Years of Existence

Chisholm San Antonio, Texas

Abilene, Kansas

Ellsworth, Kansas

1867-1884

Goodnight -

Loving

Young County, Texas

Fort Summer, New Mexico

1866 – 1880s

Western Brownsville, Texas

Dodge City, KS

1874 – 1890s

Shawnee/Sedalia

Waco, Texas

St. Louis, MissouriSedalia, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri

1840s – 1860s

End of Trail Drives• By the end of 1800s, people began to

settle the land.• Cattle drivers were unpopular with

settlers.• Settlers started putting barbed wire

fences.• Fences made it difficult for cowboys to

bring herd of cattle across the west. • Many cattle trails were blocked by

fences.