In 2017 the Chisholm
Trail turns 150 years old. Millions of cattle traveled it when migrating north.
The trail was used from 1867 through 1884 and ran through Texas, Oklahoma, and
Kansas. In this exhibition, the Amon Carter takes a closer look at open-range
cattle ranching through the artist archives of photographer Erwin E. Smith
(1886–1947).
Erwin E. Smith made a name for himself as one of the best photographers of cowboy life in the early 1900s. His photographs provide a snapshot of life on the open range.
Because of the invention of the railroad, large trail drives were obsolete by the time Smith started photographing. As a result, he focused his work with larger outfits in an attempt to capture a sense of what open-range cattle ranching once was.
A roundup on the SMS Ranch reaching the watering hole. SMS Ranch, near Stamford, Texas. (1910) by Erwin E. SmithAmon Carter Museum of American Art
As with all types of agriculture, open-range ranching was seasonal. There were four annual phases: the spring roundup, the trail drive, the fall roundup, and winter work.
Cattle herd, Shoe Bar Ranch, Texas. (1912) by Erwin E. SmithAmon Carter Museum of American Art
When migrating, the herd needed to move slowly, allowing cattle to graze several hours each morning so they would not lose weight along the drive.
Turning on a Dime [Mat Walker, Wagon Boss for the Matador, on Doodle Bug, Famous Cutting Horse], Matador Ranch, Texas (1908) by Erwin E. SmithAmon Carter Museum of American Art
When herding the cattle, the cowboy’s rule was never to let the cattle take a step in any direction but north. In other words, keep moving forward.
The "drag" (end of trail herd) moving along a trail. Matador Range, Texas. (1908) by Erwin E. SmithAmon Carter Museum of American Art
One of the cowhand's jobs on a trail drive was to ride behind the herd of cattle and push the cattle dragging in back to move more quickly.
A night herder turning in for a few hours sleep. Three Block Ranch, New Mexico. (1908-1909) by Erwin E. SmithAmon Carter Museum of American Art
The herd moved from sunrise until late afternoon covering about fifteen miles a day. At night, the cattle would sleep while night herders rode around them singing to keep them calm.
John Jackson, Matador range boss, looking over a herd of 5,000 cattle at a roundup (1908) by Erwin E. SmithAmon Carter Museum of American Art
When the herd was on the move, Smith frequently anticipated their progress and galloped ahead to choose a good vantage point from which to photograph.
A cowboy and his "cutting horse" at work in a herd somewhere on the South Plains of Texas. (1906-1910) by Erwin E. SmithAmon Carter Museum of American Art
Smith also documented the various positions the day herders took to guide the cattle along the trail.
Cowboys preparing to butcher a heifer for beef. Three Block Ranch near Richardson, New Mexico. (1908-1909) by Erwin E. SmithAmon Carter Museum of American Art
Not all cattle made to it to the slaughterhouses; many met an early demise on the range. Out of necessity, cowboys would butcher cattle for their own sustenance.
The Chisolm Trail provided many cattle ranches with a sure route in the Southwest United States. Smith’s photographs capture many different aspects of open-range cattle ranching that occurred during and right after the time of the trail’s use.
Produced by Peggy Sell, Interpretation Manager at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.
All images from the collections of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, Texas and Library of Congress, Washington D. C. on deposit at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. All images copyright Erwin E. Smith Foundation.
www.cartermuseum.org
