• TURN OF THE CENTURY •
BLACK COWBOYS OF TEXAS
Bose Ikard
1843-1928
Born in slavery in Mississippi
and taken to Texas as a young
boy. in 1866 as a freedman, he
hired out his services to Charles
Goodnight of the Goodnight
Loving Cattle Trail.
Isom Dart
1849-1900
Born into slavery in Arkansas, he
moved to Texas when he was 12.
After earning his freedom, he
went to south Texas and earned a
reputation as a cattle rustler. He
was killed in Wyoming by a range
detective.
Bass Reeves
1838-1910
Born in slavery in Arkansas in
1838, Bass was eight when his
family moved to Texas.
Eventually, he was hired as a US
Deputy. Reeves served 35 years
and earned his place in history as
the most effective lawman in the
Indian Territory.
Mary Fields
?-1914
Supposedly born in Tennessee in
1832, Mary moved to Ohio after
gaining her freedom. Her hard
ways and reputation landed her a
job protecting, and eventually,
delivering the US Mail. She
became known as Stagecoach
Mary.
Nat Love
1854-1921
Born as a slave on a Tennessee
plantation in 1854, he headed
west at only 15. "His self-
reported exploits and claims (as
found in his autobiography)
have made him the
most famous black hero of the
Old West."
Bill Pickett
1870-1932
Born in 1870 in Texas, William E.
(Bill) Pickett was a cowboy, rodeo,
Wild West show performer and
actor. He achieved fame for his
steer wrestling technique called
"bulldogging". In 1989, he was
inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall
of Fame.