Oklahoma Journeys

Week of June 7, 2009

Congressional Funding for Longhorn Herd Approved

This week on Oklahoma Journeys, back from the brink of extinction. Today most of us are familiar with the breed of cattle known as Texas Longhorns. It was only 82 years ago, however that the Longhorn’s were so few in number that many gave the breed up for lost. The story of the Longhorn’s struggle for survival this week on Oklahoma Journeys from the Oklahoma History Center.

From the Oklahoma History Center, this is Oklahoma Journeys. I’m Michael Dean.

Although today the Texas Longhorn is a widely recognized breed and even serves as a school mascot for a certain university in Texas such was not the case a mere 82 years ago. At that time the longhorn breed was on the edge of extinction with little regard given to its survival. Many thought that the Longhorn had served its purpose as a breed suited for long harsh trail drives and now with the advent of modern breeding practices, improved bloodlines and better transportation options, was no longer necessary.

In 1910 the supervisor of the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge also known at the time as the Wichita National Forest, Frank Rush, was observing a herd of Texas cattle being driven through the area when he noticed an all-white longhorn. Knowing the breed was increasing in rarity, Rush purchased the animal for eleven dollars, named it Old Whitey then unknowingly began the first longhorn herd at the refuge. Following World War I Rush and other wildlife refuge officials realized the danger confronting the once dominant longhorn breed. Petitions to congress for help made little progress until nearly 17 years after Old Whitey entered the refuge with persistent lobbying by Oklahoma’s and others Congress finally, in this week of 1927 allocated funds to, "To maintain and preserve under reasonably natural conditions, with as little change as possible and as true to type as is possible, a herd of historically significant Texas Longhorn cattle for the enjoyment and study by present and future generations."

The Oklahomans were successful in getting the funding, but the question was now was it too late? By interviewing old time ranchers and cattle drivers the refuge supervisors established general guidelines for the breed and began their search for good breeding stock. Months of searching ensued but with no luck, no purebred Longhorns could be found, was it too late already many wondered? Finally after scouring the entire United States and parts of Mexico 21 Longhorn cattle were identified, purchased, and installed at the Wichita Refuge. With this miniscule beginning the herd began a slow but steady increase until ten years later the number stood at 300 and the survival of the breed was no longer in question. The herd at the Wichita refuge remained as the industry standard for the breed for many years and still functions to this day as a refuge for once-forgotten beasts. But it was in this week of 1927, that the integrity, foresight, and hard work of Oklahomans managed to rescue the struggling Texas Longhorn from certain death and extinction.

You can learn more about this and other fascinating and little-known stories about Oklahoma by visiting the Oklahoma History Center, NE 23rd Street just east of the state capitol in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma Journeys is a production of the Oklahoma History Center dedicated to the collection, preservation and sharing of our state’s past. I’m Michael Dean.