Charles Goodnight was a pioneer of the early range cattle industry—an opinionated and profane but energetic and well-liked rancher. Goodnight’s story is now re-examined by William T. Hagan in this brief, authoritative account that considers the role of ranching in general—and Goodnight in particular—in the development of the Texas Panhandle. The first major reassessment of his life in seventy years, Charles Goodnight: Father of the Texas Panhandle traces its subject’s life from hardscrabble farmer to cattle baron, giving close attention to lesser-known aspects of his last thirty years. Goodnight came up in the days when much of Texas was free range and open to occupancy by any cattleman brave enough to stake a claim. Hagan shows how Goodnight learned the cattle business and became one of the most famous ranchers of the Southwest. Hagan also presents a clearer picture than ever before of Goodnight’s business arrangements and investments, including the financial setbacks of his later life. As entertaining as it is informative, Hagan’s account takes readers back to the Palo Duro Canyon and the Staked Plains to share insights into the cattleman’s life—riding the range, fighting grass fires, driving cattle to the nearest railhead—the very stuff of cowboy legend and lore. This fascinating biography enriches our understanding of a Texas icon.
Charles Goodnight: A Man for All Ages
THE GOODNIGHT TRAIL Former Texas Rangers Benton McCaleb, Will Elliot, and Brazos Gifford ride with Charles Goodnight as he rounds up thousands of ornery, unbranded cattle for the long drive to Colorado.
The accomplishments of famed cattleman Charles Goodnight are retold with a fresh perspective in this biography.
An exciting story of a Texas Ranger, adventurer, and immigration officer who became a symbol of his age while gambling with death in the wild frontier regions of Texas, Arizona,...
On the afternoon of February 27, Otis Pearson drove me to the White House for the Gang of Eight's daily military briefing. The heavy armorplated bulletproof Cadillac held the road with a reassuring hug, around the huge Pentagon parking ...
A steer recounts his experiences being part of the cattle trail life in Texas.
THE GOODNIGHT TRAIL Former Texas Rangers Benton McCaleb, Will Elliot, and Brazos Gifford ride with Charles Goodnight as he rounds up thousands of ornery, unbranded cattle for the long drive to Colorado.
A biography of the Texas cowboy who was one of the first permanent settlers of the Panhandle, developed the chuck wagon and the sidesaddle, and experimented with plants and animals.
When the legendary cowboy, Charlie Goodnight, asks Jake to join a cattle drive from Texas to Kansas in 1881 and write a truthful account of it, the thirteen-year-old eagerly agrees.
Thus began one of the most intriguing cattle trails. With this account by Larry W Jones, the old west lives again with historical photos, images and details not found in other books.