Trail Drives: Code of the Trail

Was there an understanding among trail drive bosses that no two drives left at the same time? Did trail drives ever intersect and cause a problem as to which drive had the “right of way”?

Truth is there was no written “Code of the Trail,” but there was an understanding. They also knew that whoever got his herd out on the trail first usually got the best grass. There was always a concern for grazing along the trail and water. Oftentimes there would be several herds moving up the trail at the same time. A herd might be a few miles ahead or behind and another might be off to the flanks. This kept the cowhands busy trying to keep the cows from getting mixed with another herd. When more than one herd arrived at a river crossing the first herd to the crossing had the right of way and cowhands had to keep the other herd back so they wouldn’t get mixed.

Many of the trail bosses were well-acquainted and knew it was best for all to maintain some kind of trail etiquette or spirit of cooperation. There were enough hazards ranging from thunderstorms and swollen rivers to Indians and rustlers along the way for them to create problems for each other.

In 1871 alone, 600,000 head were trailed out of Texas so you can see that put a lot of stress on both grass and watering places.