The cowboy lifestyle is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating. To date, people love how cowboys used to dress and talk. However, more often than not, the cowboy way of life usually portrayed in films is a distant representation of the truth. These young men were mainly laborers who looked after livestock while riding on horseback. They lived under very harsh circumstances and were sometimes forced to sleep under the open sky. Here are more unique facts about cowboys that you probably didn’t know.
1. One in Four Cowboys was Black
In the famous cowboy narrative, the role of African Americans is often overlooked. But, according to historians, at least one of four cowboys was black. In the 1800s, there were a lot of minority cowboys. About 45% of all cowboys were Indian, Mexican, Black, or Mixed Race.
In the Old West, there were thousands of slaves. When the Civil War started, many whites fought alongside their kin, leaving behind the slaves to look after land and cattle. This is when many African Americans were introduced to the cowboy lifestyle.
2. The Cowboy Outfit Originated from the Mexican Vaqueros
While it’s true that many cultures influenced the cowboy lifestyle, their attire mainly originated from the Mexican “vaqueros,” referring to herdsmen or cowboys in Spanish. Like cowboys, the vaqueros wore bandanas to wipe sweat from their faces, chaps to safeguard the legs when riding, hats to shield their faces from the sun, and jeans to protect the legs when working on the farm. Before influencing the Americans, the vaqueros borrowed this style from Spain, where cowboys looked after cattle in the haciendas.
3. There is a Cowboy Code
About 80 years ago, a Cowboy Code was introduced by Gene Autry. Having lived in a farmhouse, the singing cowboy Gene Autry introduced the Ten Commandments on how a cowboy should carry himself. The code revolves around not lying, partaking in racial ideas, and respecting women and parents.
4. The Famous Bank Robber “Cowboy Bob” was a Woman
In the 1900s, there was an infamous bank robber named Cowboy Bob by the media because he always wore a huge hat. To everyone’s surprise, upon her arrest, Cowboy Bob was discovered to be a woman called Peggy Jo Tallas. Her first bank to rob was at the American Federal Bank in Irving.
5. Cowboys Only Loaded 5 Rounds in Their 6 Chamber Revolvers
Back then, cowboys loved walking around with revolvers; it was the go-to gun. However, they never fully loaded their revolvers; they would only place five rounds in the 6-chamber revolver. The reason for this was to enforce safety. These guns were a bit impractical, and any slight bump on the hammer would trigger a shot, resulting in severe accidents. Therefore, the gun’s hammer would always be placed in the empty chamber as a safety mechanism.
6. John Stetson Invented the Cowboy Hat in 1865
While traveling through the Old West, John Stetson, a renowned hat maker, noticed that the area lacked a lightweight yet durable hat to keep the locals safe from the sun’s heat. Because he had some experience in hat-making from his childhood days, John Stetson created the modern American cowboy hat in 1865. It was not only lightweight but had a waterproof design.
7. Texas Has Its Own Eiffel Tower Wearing a Cowboy Hat
Built in 1993, Texas has its scale model of the Eiffel Tower. It’s a sight worth seeing, especially for those who have never been to France. The best part is that it embraces the Texas culture because of the cowboy hat at the top.
8. Joseph Stalin Loved Cowboy Movies
The leader of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, had a love-hate relationship with cowboy movies. He would spend a lot of time criticizing these movies before ordering more. They inspired Stalin because he perceived himself as a lone cowboy riding into town to deliver justice. He hated John Wayne for being an anti-communist and suggested that he be assassinated.
9. Homosexuality was Acceptable Among Cowboys
Homosexuality was acceptable amongst cowboys in the Old West. At the time, there were no sexual identities, and people of the same gender could have intimate relationships. It wasn’t a big deal; some cowboys would create bachelor marriages.
10. There is a Naked Cowboy at Times Square
Times Square in New York is known for bringing in a wide range of talents, including the Naked Cowboy. The street performer Robert Burck only wears a hat and boots and carries a guitar. He is often spotted singing and entertaining tourists.
11. Hollywood’s Most Famous Cowboy, Clint Eastwood, was Allergic to Horses
Clint Eastwood is undeniably one of the best cowboy actors in Hollywood. Funny enough, he was very allergic to horses. According to directors, Clint Eastwood preferred shooting all horse scenes simultaneously to deal with the allergies more effectively.
12. A Lot of Cowboys were Civil War Soldiers
After the end of the Civil War, most soldiers didn’t have anything to do back home, so most of them opted to become cowboys. They were perfectly skilled for this role because they were great at shooting and were physically fit.
13. Being a Cowboy wasn’t a Well-Paying Job
As fun as the cowboy lifestyle may seem, it wasn’t a well-paying career. Cowboys earned $20 to $40, which wasn’t enough to make ends meet. Because most didn’t have families, that money was just enough to cater to their needs and lifestyle.