Peggy Ables, Betty Olson and Paul Higbee kicked off the
season for the Spearfish Area Historical Society on Sept 2, 2014 at the High
Plains Western Heritage Center. Over 80
people were in attendance.
Did you know that the cowboys who ran cattle from Texas to
South Dakota were, for the most part, 13 and 14 year old boys? (answer:
they were) Did you know why they went so far north as
South Dakota? (answer: because after the Civil War, the livestock
needed to be grazed and the short-growing season in SD locks in nutrients in
the grasses for cattle). Did you know
that Great Western Cattle Trail markers were dedicated this July 2014 at the
Heritage Center in Spearfish and at the Tri-State Museum in Belle Fourche? (answer:
Yup! They were.)
Western South Dakota can claim a large part of the history
of the Great Western Cattle Trails that ran from Texas and New Mexico through
Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska and ended in Wyoming, Montana and
South Dakota. Peggy Ables told stories of this year's July event
hosting the Great Western Cattle Trail Association members. Betty Olson told of her legislature
that was unanimously approved for an un-paid holiday in South Dakota on the 4th
Sat in July to celebrate the Day of the American Cowboy. Paul
Higbee described how many, many cowboys came to the area on a cattle drive and then
decided to stay and live in Lawrence, Butte and Meade counties. Some of them included Tom Gay, Zee Russell,
Leo Russell, Billy Sutton, and Slim McNutton.
See three original saddles from the cattle trail and learn
more at the High Plains Western Heritage Center.