| JOBS ALONG THE TRAIL DRIVE |
| Title(s) | Level of Experience | Qualifications | Duties | Pay (1890s) |
Additional Information |
| Trail Boss | Very High | Leadership Competence Cooperative Cool-headed Resolute Quick thinker Previous experience with trail drives |
Responsibility for entire operation (cows, cowboys,
cattle) while on trail. Involved finding water, grass, and good trail for cattle. Can track different animals across the range; knows the range well. Keeps peace between cowboys. Keeps horses and cowboys fed. Handles money involved with placing orders for supplies and paying appropriate tolls. |
$90/ month |
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| Title(s) | Level of Experience | Qualifications | Duties | Pay (1890s) |
Additional Information |
| Point Man | High Most honored post on the drive. These cowboys would determine the direction of the drive. |
Reliable Ability to work in group with others toward a common goal |
Works in groups of two and points the lead steers
in the right direction Sets the pace for the drive |
$30-40/ month |
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| Title(s) | Level of Experience | Qualifications | Duties | Pay (1890s) |
Additional Information |
| Swing | Some experience required |
Must know how to ride a horse Previous experience with trail drives |
Rides a third of the way back from the front of the herd as it is moving down the trail | $30-40/ month |
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| Title(s) | Level of Experience | Qualifications | Duties | Pay (1890s) |
Additional Information |
| Flank | Some experience required |
Must know how to ride a horse Previous experience with trail drives |
“Cuts in” cattle that have
gotten out of the herd Rides about two thirds of the way back from the front of the herd on the trail Makes sure that cattle do not wander too far way from the main herd |
$30-40/ month |
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| Title(s) | Level of Experience | Qualifications | Duties | Pay (1890s) |
Additional Information |
| Drag Rider | Usually an entry-level position |
Willing to work hard and endure dust and dirt kicked up by the herd and riders ahead of them | Rides at the back
of the herd on the trail to make sure that
beeves, cows, etc. stay with the herd Must be able to “push” these slower cattle forward |
$30-40/ month |
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| Title(s) | Level of Experience | Qualifications | Duties | Pay (1890s) |
Additional Information |
| Horse Wrangler |
Entry-level position Generally a young boy who wants to be a cowboy |
Willing to learn and work hard | Drives the remuda before the wagon and
ahead of the cattle Rounds the extra horses up and gets them into a rope corral several times during the day Keeps the horses together and eating grass until it is time for cowboys to change mounts Makes sure that those ridden hard are given proper food (corn and grass) Keeps saddle horses from straying too far Helps cook gather wood and harness the teams of horses |
$25/ month |
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| Title(s) | Level of Experience | Qualifications | Duties | Pay (1890s) |
Additional Information |
| Chuck Wagon Cook | High
Former cowboy who is either too old for the more difficult work or has
been hurt |
Must know how to drive a wagon
Must be able to prepare meals with limited resources and serve them on time Some experience and knowledge of medical techniques also necessary |
Prepares three meals a day out of
the back of a wagon 1880's trip: Sowbelly: salt pork |
$60/ month |
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