Bose Ikard | The original cowboys were Mexican Indians enslaved by the Spanish Conquerors, who put them to work tending herds on their vast "Ranchos." Herman Cortex brought cattle to America in 1519. Cattle were used as a source of food and leather in the new world. Black cowboys were seeking a new and free life where skills would count more than the color of their skins. The history of the black cowboy began in the late nineteenth century before the establishment of large ranches. Men from Africa countries such as Gambia knew how to take care of cattle because that was what they did in their country. Eight thousand blacks helped to drive cattle up the Chisholm Trail. After the Civil War, 35,000 cowboys, who rode the trails between 1867 and 1895, one-third was black and Mexican. At least two or three black cowboys were part of every eleven-man crew. One such cowboy was Bose Ikard, who rode with cattlemen Oliver Loving, John Chisum, and John Slaughter. Bose Ikard was part of the crew that drove 2,000 cattle up the goodnight-loving trail.." | |
