The T-Anchor Boys Poem by Lysius Gough

It was in April our spurs began to rattle, as we rode thru pasture to round up the cattle…
It was then we began our long and weary journey, everyone so full of life out on a trip so funny…
Our boss, his name was Jim Wright, he was not hard but I think very light…
He hired no drags, as other bosses did. But in his outfit he had one kid.
He had one man who was traveling for health, he herded at night, but he gained no wealth…
Wright had another man who rode very slow, he was from the state of Idaho.
There were none of us men of high passion, though there were some who lived in the 'nations'…
The rest of us gentlemen did pass for we lived in the great State of Texas.

There were eight of us divided, found on a relief, And now you must know each guard had a chief…
But neither relief do I think looked very hard, one was called John's mob, the other Mulligan's guard.
Now this left three and the one that bosses, and our little Gus man who drove the horses…
For all together we numbered three and ten, and all I believe were truly gentlemen.
There were ten of us mounted on horses, five head, but I rode the Chief, his name was Narrow-head…
Five horses around would make the trip, Tho we had another, his name was Leatherlip…
We traveled through Texas to Red River Station, there we crosses over into the Chicasaw Nation.

Then on we drove with a steady nerve, Until we reached the Comanche reserve.
And there the Indians put us out, and made us go the Texas route…
Then we traveled to opposite Greer County, then crossed Red River to graze from its bounty.
We crossed the river near Doan's store, the water was rising as often before.
The foam was white the waves did swell…But we crossed the river I think very well.
We held a day at the north fork border, patiently waiting for some further order.
At noon orders came to drive out another herd, and at this bold order the cattle we stirred…
And as our pointers were riding their best, they started the cattle for the northwest…

While two noble boys worked in the swing and strung the cattle out in a great long string.
And three bold 'bullies worked round the tail, the T-Anchor Boys were the chief of the trail…
For they certainly won by shoving the drag, as they passed over the Red River swag.
To Red Hill Valley our herd did beat, to graze upon the white mesquite.
Which seems to wave like the water of the ocean, I'm satisfied it suited their notion.
As the cattle fed till they began to lie down, it was then we drove them to the bed ground.
The night was cold and the north wind played, but with the cattle the T-Anchor boys stayed.

Next morning as our journey was not done, we traveled on west toward the setting sun.
Our route was up Cottonwood branch, that was the way to the Panhandle Ranch.
Across to Salt Fork we did go, where once was the range of the buffalo.
Over hills and valleys of waving green, Twas the prettiest site I had ever seen.
In traveling over country both level and rough, None said of this, I've had quite enough,
But would whittle and sing merry as a bird, while riding around the T-Anchor herd.
We traveled both thru sand and dust, the T-Anchor boys the boss could trust.
We rode through dark and light, wind and rain, without ever hearing one complain.

It was between the hours of three and one, we drove by the town of Clarendon…
In eight miles then we reached the plains, and there the time we aimed to gain.
But water was scarce on the plains so bleak, we drove across to McClelland Creek.
It was there the water the cattle did partake, til on the plains we could find a lake.
We found out where the grass waved like clover, we drove there and one day laid over.
For everything was moving well, and we had not rested for quite a spell.
Three nights on the trip we had a stampede, our boys were all nervy, and rode for the lead…
For all of the outfits in Spring or Fall, the T-Anchor boys were the champions of all.

We rode to the Palo Duro with quirt and spurs beating, Jim Wright's boys reached the ranch as Stickley's were retreating.
We expected to find grass in bounty, on Gunter's ranch in Randall country.
But dry weather the T-Anchor boys did fool, hence we drove on to the canyon of Tule.
Now the Tule was forty miles, over level plains of western wilds…
They roamed the Kid with us to go, and gave him horses with the 'loco,'
about this he almost did cry. So Terry gave him Old Good-eye.
We were two months upon the trip, as o'er the plains the cattle did skip…
We all worked by a certain rule, until we reached the canyon of Tule.

The cattle went to the water's edge to drink, but dared not venture from the bank…
As the grass was high and grew in a heap, the mud was boggy, and the waters deep.
I saw one venture from the bank, and in the deep he quickly sank.
Then to get out he was quite keen, though he looked very nice and clean.
Now the when the mud shakes, they will scare…For it will open and swallow a steer.
And keep some hands on the scout, with their ropes to pull them out.
But they will all soon quit that, for the grass is good and they'll all get fat,
and the water is cold and very clear, but from the mud they'll always scare.