The Cattle Kingdom

Cattle ranching made big money for 20 years (1867-1886)

The Texas longhorn was a very tough breed and had horns up to five feet across. 

Ranchers hired cowhands to drive cattle from Texas to Kansas

Drives followed four Main Trails

1) Chisholm 2) Western 3)Goodnight-Loving 4) Sedalia Baxter Springs

Vaqueros – the 1st cowboys came from MexicoMany Affrican Americans found work as cowboys

Cowboys

Cattle driving was very difficult - you had to keep the cows or “the money” together & moving in the right direction

Obstacles were: nature, thieves, & Native Americans

Cattle were put on trains & sent east

In 1885, the U.S. economy was in a depression causing cattle prices to drop.

In 1885 and 1886 severe winters caused many cattle to die.

Overgrazing caused a shortage of grass feed for the huge cattle herds.

Most ranchers were ruined financially & lost at 30%, or more, of their herds.

Cattle ranching became much more costly.

These disasters and greater competition for land brought an end to the Cattle Kingdom.

The End!