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Dangers on the Trail |
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| The trail drive was not without risk to both
man and animals. If the animals crossed the rivers too quickly or stampeded,
the whole outfit would be in danger. Other perils included quicksand, high
saline content in the rivers—which meant that the cattle could not
drink the water as they crossed—or, if cattle had been without water
for a few days, the river itself could be stampeded because of the animals’
thirst. Other stampedes would occur during stormy weather, when lightning
and thunder frightened the cattle. Sometimes local residents along the trail
would start a stampede and then show up the next morning and offer to help
round the cattle up for fifty cents a head. Stampedes were dangerous to
both man and animal and could also mean a loss of profits and sleep for
the cowboys. Click here to view more Dangers on the Trail images |
 Erwin E. Smith (1886–1947) Tom King, Matador Cowboy, Drinking from the Brim of His Hat at a Spring in Dutchman Pasture, Matador Ranch, Texas, 1905 Nitrate negative Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas LC.S59.288 |
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