The Case:
A Staten Island woman has a well-worn saddle with the name “Bill Pickett” burned into it. She believes it was once owned by legendary cowboy Bill Pickett, an African-American Wild West Show and film star.
Pickett invented bulldogging, the rodeo event now known as steer wrestling. His back story is perhaps most intriguing: born to slave parents, Pickett rose to entertain kings and dignitaries on an international tour of his Wild West show, and he counted among his friends Will Rogers and Tom Mix.
History Detectives visits the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, meets a real-life steer wrestler and talks with a 101 Ranch historian about the legacy of the legendary “Bulldogger”.
Related Content
Video:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Emerging Modern America: 1890-1930
Teddy Roosevelt War Club
What could this strange object have to do with Teddy Roosevelt and his run for a third term presidency?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Short Snorter
Was this British ten-shilling note witness to the forging of the alliance between America and Britain?
-
Related Investigation
Lincoln Letter
Does this cryptic letter reveal Abraham Lincoln's secret strategy for winning political power?
-
Also in Emerging Modern America: 1890-1930
Red Cloud Letter
How was a leader of the Lakota people connected with the controversial sculptor of Mount Rushmore?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Hot Town Poster
What role did this striking poster play in the explosive events of 1960s America?
-
Also in Emerging Modern America: 1890-1930
Birth Control Box
Could this unusual wooden box be an early contraceptive device?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.