Cowboys, John Waye and the real John Doe

When you think of cowboys, what do you think of? I know I think of people like John Wayne and the rolls he played in movies. They would herd wild cattle for their living. They drank all the time, got into bar fights, and had shootouts in the street. Seems like they had an easy life didn't it? No school, no law, no rules, just do what ever you want and get away with it. Well guess what, its not all true.

When in reality, cowboys occupied some of the hardest jobs out there. They would spend months out on their own or in small groups with other cowboys, trying to get their cattle to the market. They would occasionally go into saloons but most of their entertainment was done around the campfire because they could not leave their cattle unattended. It was seasonal work, which mean during the spring summer and fall you would work but come winter time most ranch bosses would tell their cowboys to come back in the spring, only keeping a few for the winter months to watch the cattle, These cowboys would live on the ranch and usually have their families with them.

Yes the Hollywood portrayal of the cowboy got somethings right. For instance the clothing worn in most western was similar to the clothing worn my ranch hands in their time. Long pants, with dress shirts, occasionally a vest. Always seemed to be wearing a scarf and hat to protect their face from the harsh sun on their long trips to heard the cattle up. Yes most cowboys kept pistols on their belts, but no they did not usually to get into shootouts in town. Nor were they a cowboys most important resource, that was definitely a horse.On the back of a horse, the cowboy could cover vast distances, and he could herd cattle all day. On foot that would be impossible. Cowboys were actually taught to  not pull your gun first.

Hollywood portrayed cowboys as violent raging drunks a lot of the time. When in reality cowboys were to respect with gentle care animals, children, and elders. Cowboys were also put in charge of large herds of cattle which required alot of trust, so a cowboy was known to keep his word and not go back on his promises

So next time you watch a movie staring John Wayne or any other classic westerns, remember, it was not exactly like that. Most of the stuff they had to do on a daily basis and one wrong move could injure or kill them. If you were injured you might as well be dead because no one will hire an injured cowboy. John Wayne will always be remembered as a western star, and in most ways he was. Just know the real thing is not all that cracked up we once thought it was.

Image source:http://www.cartermuseum.org/collections/smith/collection.php?asn=LC-S6-092&mcat=9&scat=35