How Africa News
In the 1800s, many boys’ first loves were caring to their livestock and riding horses in Gonzales County, Texas. One of the most well-known African-American cowboys, Addison Jones, who started his career on the Littlefield family ranch, was aware of this custom.
According to America Comes Alive, the Littlefield ranch was a family-run enterprise that had its start before the Civil War on the outskirts of West Texas. George Littlefield, a combat veteran who was injured during the Battle of Mossy Creek and eventually withdrew from active duty in 1863, was the boss of Jones. After his situation, the business was given to him. The Littlefields expected significant returns on their huge investments in the ranching industry.
Littlefield became a powerful cattleman, banker, and philanthropist as a result of his skill with investments and effective management of the family business. The best hands to handle the animals were one of the secrets to the successful operation of the cattle company, and Jones was one of those reliable hands.
Jones excelled in roping, riding horses, and managing the cattle on the route. In western Texas and eastern New Mexico, he was revered as a legend. Even the fiercest horses were unable to resist Jones’ talent and trickery to control them. No matter how many men had attempted to top off horses before him, the crowd was confident that Jones would succeed.
Many cowboys had quit their jobs by the time Jones turned 30 but he continued to work for the Littlefields. He retired at the age of 70 despite the blows from the horses and animals. Jones, according to historian J. Evetts Haley, was the epitome of self-assurance, talent, and above all, a wonderful appreciation of timing and animals.
N. Howard Thorp wrote a song on Jones’ amazing achievement. “Whose Old Cow?” was the title of the tune. According to rumors, Thorp said he wrote a song about Jones because he was one of the finest at taming cows and horses.
Even though black cowboys shared some rights with their white counterparts, they were nonetheless subject to racial prejudice. They received equal treatment on the ranches, but the white majority treated them poorly once they left.
Jones once needed to drink some water while he was at a nearby ranch on a visit. The custom was to fill up a water bucket you find after you’ve finished drinking from it so you can leave it for other people. Jones had to use his tongue to draw water from the hose to refill the bucket.
Jones intended to do that, but a white cowboy struck him in the head and knocked him out cold. He simply got up and went back to the Littlefield ranch after he woke up.
Little information is known about his early years. However, his wife claimed he was born in Gonzales County, Texas, in 1845 on his death certificate. In 1899, Jones wed Rosa Haskins, a cook working at a lodging establishment in Roswell, New Mexico.
Rosa was 36 years old when Jones, then 54, wed her. 1926 saw his passing.
