Rotary Clubs Help Preserve the Western Trail

The cowboys of the Western Trail walked hundreds of miles across open range. Their plight was complicated by a Texas fever epidemic, the rapid advance of farming in the frontier, and the sale of railroad land to incoming farmers. A cowboy’s life was a rough one; the cattle had to be carefully herded and tended to by a trail boss and at least 10 drovers. They also rounded up strays and cut off interlopers. Some trail hands worked as wranglers.

When Ray Klinginsmith, the Rotarian president-elect, was elected president of the RI in 2009, he suggested that the trail be memorialized internationally. Soon, Rotarians from Mexico and Canada joined him at a ceremony in Brownsville, Texas. A year later, he spoke at the first trail marker in Montana. The project has since spread throughout the country and around the world. With the dedication of a new trail marker, Rotary Clubs have stepped up to help preserve the history of our great western trail.

The basic mechanics of Western Trail are similar to those of other horse games. You have to navigate the trail course, whereas a horse with an interesting personality and interest in the activity will earn more points. The rules of the game are detailed in the PDF rulebook. However, a good rulebook will contain the details of each action. The downloadable PDF rulebook contains in-depth explanations of all game mechanisms. It also contains a comprehensive guide to the different types of actions available in the game.

While Great Western Trail isn’t a strategy game, it is an entertaining game. Several levers must be turned in order for your herd to travel. The game has a minimum downtime, which means you can maximize your route selections and position on the train track. The later games are much more challenging, and three or more players are recommended for the best experience. If you are a fan of a cowboy theme, you’ll love Great Western Trail.

The last cattle drive on the Great Western Cattle Trail is believed to have taken place in 1893. Barbed wire fences and a settled frontier also contributed to the decline of the cattle drives. Texas fever, a disease carried by longhorns, was the main cause of the demise of the trail. The emergence of quarantine policies and importation bans also contributed to the decline of cattle drives in the Western U.S. During the early 1900s, the Great Western Cattle Trail had carried 6 to 7 million cattle and at one time, had transported as many as one million horses.

After the reorganization of the Great Western Cattle Trail, it continued through Fort Griffin, Dodge City, and Vernon. It then veered northeastward to cross the Brazos River and leave Texas. During this time, there were numerous alternative routes to cross Indian Territory. In 1884, the Union Pacific Railroad built a rail connection to the Western Trail, making the Great Western Cattle Trail a viable option for freight and passenger trains.