My Sixty Years on the Plains: An Epic Memoir of the American West

My Sixty Years on the Plains: Trapping, Trading, and Indian Fighting (Illustrated)

by W. T. Hamilton

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	686 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	98 pages

FREE

By Billy Dixon

My Sixty Years on the Plains is an epic memoir by the legendary frontiersman and buffalo hunter Billy Dixon. It is a gripping firsthand account of life on the Great Plains during the tumultuous years of the 19th century.

Dixon was born in Kentucky in 1829. He moved to the Great Plains in 1854, where he worked as a buffalo hunter and trader. He witnessed firsthand the dramatic changes that took place on the Plains during this time, including the arrival of the railroads, the decline of the buffalo herds, and the rise of the cowboy culture.

Dixon's memoir is a valuable historical document that provides a unique perspective on this important period in American history. It is a gripping tale of adventure, danger, and survival. It is also a fascinating glimpse into the life of a man who lived on the edge of civilization.

Early Life

I was born in Christian County, Kentucky, on June 14, 1829. My parents were farmers, and I grew up on a small farm in the countryside. I had a happy childhood, and I enjoyed playing with my siblings and cousins. I also loved to read, and I spent many hours reading books about adventure and exploration.

When I was 18 years old, I left home and moved to Missouri. I worked as a farmhand for a few years, and then I joined a wagon train that was heading to California. I crossed the Great Plains in 1849, and I arrived in California in 1850. I worked as a miner for a few years, but I did not find much gold. I eventually moved back to Missouri, where I worked as a farmer and a blacksmith.

Life on the Great Plains

In 1854, I moved to the Great Plains. I worked as a buffalo hunter and a trader. I hunted buffalo for their meat and hides. I also traded with the Native Americans, who lived on the Plains. I learned a great deal about the Native Americans and their culture. I also learned how to survive in the harsh conditions of the Plains.

Life on the Plains was difficult, but it was also exciting. I loved the freedom of the open range. I also enjoyed the challenge of hunting buffalo. I was a successful buffalo hunter, and I made a good living from selling buffalo meat and hides.

The Decline of the Buffalo Herds

The buffalo herds began to decline in the 1860s. The railroads were built across the Plains, which made it easier for hunters to reach the buffalo herds. The hunters killed millions of buffalo for their meat and hides. By the 1880s, the buffalo herds were almost extinct.

The decline of the buffalo herds had a devastating impact on the Native Americans. The buffalo were the Native Americans' main source of food, clothing, and shelter. Without the buffalo, the Native Americans were forced to rely on the government for food and supplies. This led to the Indian Wars of the 1870s and 1880s.

The Rise of the Cowboy Culture

The decline of the buffalo herds also led to the rise of the cowboy culture. The cowboys were hired to round up and drive cattle to market. The cowboy culture was a unique American culture that developed on the Great Plains. The cowboys were independent and self-reliant. They were also skilled horsemen and ropers.

The cowboy culture reached its peak in the 1880s. However, the open range began to disappear in the 1890s. The railroads were built across the Plains, which made it easier for farmers and ranchers to fence their land. The cowboys were forced to give up their way of life. Many of them became farmers or ranchers. Others moved to the cities.

My Later Years

I retired from buffalo hunting in the 1880s. I moved to Texas, where I worked as a rancher. I also wrote my memoir, My Sixty Years on the Plains. I died in Texas in 1914.

Legacy

I am considered to be one of the last of the great frontiersmen. My memoir, My Sixty Years on the Plains, is a classic work of American literature. It is a valuable historical document that provides a unique perspective on life on the Great Plains during the 19th century.

My Sixty Years on the Plains is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the history of the American West. It is a gripping tale of adventure, danger, and survival. It is also a fascinating glimpse into the life of a man who lived on the edge of civilization.

My Sixty Years on the Plains: Trapping, Trading, and Indian Fighting (Illustrated)

by W. T. Hamilton

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	686 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	98 pages

FREE