Who is Joseph McCoy and what did he accomplish?
Joseph “Cowboy” McCoy (December 21, 1837 – October 19, 1915) was a 19th-century entrepreneur known for promoting the transport of Longhorn cattle from Texas to the eastern United States.
How did Joseph McCoy help the Texas cattle industry?
In 1861 McCoy began to work in the mule and cattle industry. He expanded his business to shipping large herds of cattle to slaughter and quickly recognized flaws in the system. One of the first cow towns, Abilene was built with extensive advertisement in Texas that encouraged cattlemen to send herds its way.
What was Joseph McCoy idea?
In 1867 he conceived the idea of establishing a shipping depot for cattle at some point in the west and knew that the railroad companies were interested in expanding their freight operations. He soon selected Abilene, Kansas, and opened the Abilene Trail through Indian Territory from Texas.
What were the three advantages of Abilene for cattle ranchers?
Abilene was the ideal location for several reasons. Firstly, there was plenty of grassland and water for the herds. Secondly, Kansas’ quarantine law allowed Texas herds to settle there as long as they were far enough away from the homesteaders to prevent disease spreading.
What cities became the destination for cattle drives from Texas?
Amarillo, Fort Worth, and Wichita Falls, all in Texas; Prescott, Arizona, Greeley, Colorado, and Las Vegas, New Mexico were regionally important. The most famous cattle towns like Abilene were railheads, where the herds were shipped to the Chicago stockyards. Many smaller towns along the way supported open range lands.
Why did Texas have a surplus of cattle?
Why? Because railroads had been built in Texas so the cattle could be shipped from here. That meant cowboys and vaqueros no longer had to bring the cattle up north to the railroads.
How many miles a day did cattle drives go?
15-25 miles
A typical drive could cover 15-25 miles per day. Although it was important to arrive at their destination on time, the cattle needed time to rest and graze.
What did a ramrod do on a cattle drive?
Ranahan – A top ranch hand or a good all-around cowboy. A ramrod (or scouring stick) is a metal or wooden device used with muzzleloading firearms to push the projectile up against the propellant (mainly blackpowder).
How many miles can you drive cattle in a day?
Most drives lasted 3-5 months depending on the distance they needed to travel and delays they experienced along the way. A typical drive could cover 15-25 miles per day. Although it was important to arrive at their destination on time, the cattle needed time to rest and graze.
