The Cattle Industry Answers

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following motivation:The biggest factor motivating ranchers and cowboys was a chance to make a profit on selling their herds. Following the Civil War, Texas experienced a large surplus of cattle. This meant that prices were very low. However, ranchers realized that they could sell their cattle for much higher prices in railroad cities, where high demand would send these cattle to Eastern and Midwestern states. Cattle drives led thousands of livestock north to railroad towns, and ranchers made huge profits on these herds.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: After being sent to new land in the Indian Territory because of the Indian Removal Act, the Five Tribes began to place more of an emphasis on ranching. These tribes had used livestock ranching and herding on their old land, but the plains of the Indian Territory were excellent for open-range grazing. The tribes usually shared cattle and land communally. This meant that the tribe held ownership over herds instead of having smaller herds that were owned by individuals. The tribes began to create ranching and herding operations that would allow them to sell cattle, but the Civil War caused many changes that hindered these efforts.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Cowboys participated in long drives that lasted for months and crossed the Indian Territory on the way to Kansas. They participated on teams that led herds of thousands of head of cattle across Oklahoma’s plains. Cowboys usually worked all day, helping the herd move several miles at a time. Cowboys faced many challenges in leading a herd safely to railroad towns, including navigating dry and dusty prairies with few available water supplies. They helped their cattle ford dangerous rivers while avoiding quicksand and other obstacles. They also had to protect their herds from Texas fever.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: As ranchers and cowboys drove cattle across the Indian Territory to Kansas, tribes first attempted to earn money by taxing cattle that crossed their lands. However, these taxes were difficult to collect, as many ranchers refused to pay for the right to use American Indian lands. Tribes also tried to create regulations that would control cattle drives. They were motivated to stop the spread of Texas fever and keep their own herds from having to compete with grazing herds headed for Kansas. Finally, many tribes began to make money by leasing land to ranchers for grazing. Many of these lands were located in southwestern Indian Territory or along the Kansas border.