America's Original Cowboy - The Vaquero

The mainstay of every ranch was a flamboyant skilled horseman, the vaquero.  He was usually of Indian descent, whose forbearers under colonial law had forbidden him to ride.  The missionaries hadn't paid much attention to this rule, as they needed herdsmen, and trained the Indians as cowhands.  These vaqueros began working for the rancheros when the missions became secularized.  They were provided with hut homes and necessary supplies. 

Vaqueros originated most of the clothing, techniques, and terms later used by the Anglo cowboy.  Vaquero became "buckaroo".  The vaquero's charges, semi-wild longhorns, roamed fenceless grasslands until rodeo time when they were all rounded up and under supervision of the field judge, separated according to each ranch's brand.

During the late summer "matanza" or slaughter, when the cattle were the fattest, the vaqueros killed the cattle by plunging knives into the steer's neck, a daring task.  Hides were removed, layers of fat collected for cooking and tallow, and the meat was carved for steaks. 



The best vaqueros received extra pay in trade goods which they spent on fine clothes and saddles.  They rode the finest horses, adorned with silver and their clothes matched their horse's.  The chief vaquero wore a bandana and a wool felt hat lined with silk and held on with chinstraps. His embroidered cotton shirt and silk rimmed open jacket were of the finest quality.  His prized gold edged "serape" or blanket, was strapped behind his saddle.  His saddle is embossed with birds and flowers in fine leather.  The vaquero always carried his "reata" or lariat which was 60-100 feet long, hanging from his "croup" thong attached to his saddle.  His legs are protected from cactus thorns and chaparral by "tapadero", leather flaps that cover his boots.  His "botas", or leather leggings have ornate garters with ties, and "armitas", heavy buckskin chaps hang from his waist to cover his trousers. 

The vaquero was a stately site, who was proud of his horsemanship and never walked when he could ride.  He was an very important part of ranch life in California in the 1800s.

Next time... Northward Bound
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Today in Pioneer History:  On December 5, 1839, Union General George Armstrong Custer is born in Harrison County, Ohio. Although he is best known for his demise at the hands of the Lakota and Cheyenne Indians at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Montana, in 1876, Custer built a reputation as a dashing and effective cavalry leader during the Civil War.

To Eden and Back

In December of 1833, Joseph Walker and his expedition reached the Pacific Ocean about 70 miles North of Monterrey.  They spent 2 days playing in the sand and surf until heading south through the marshy coastal meadows, eating well and making moccasins from the cattle they dined on at the ranch of a Scotsman, John Gilroy, the first English speaking settler in northern California.  Gilroy directed them to the mission of San Juan Bautisa, a commune of 20 priests and 1000 Indians.  

In his diplomatic way, Walker made the acquaintance of the governor, Jose Figueroa, who extended the offer to stay the winter, travel freely,  hunt as much game as they wanted, and trade with the Indians - as long as they showed them respect.  Needless to say it was a time of enjoyment for Walker and his men, who went riding and roping with the Mexican cowboys - probably the first experience for the men with a lariat.  

Leonard recorded in his journal that they had found California to be "a land of sunshine and plenty, the men were mad with delight."   

Next Time...Thanks, but No Thanks