CATTLE TRAILS ACROSS OKLAHOMA

Longhorn cattle trails from Texas to Kansas railheads spanned the era from 1866 to 1889. Four primary trails cut through the Indian Territory: the East Shawnee Trail, the West Shawnee Trail, the Chisholm Trail, and the Great Western or Dodge City Trail.

Jesse Chisholm

Jesse Chisholm, half-Scot, half-Cherokee, was a dominant force on the frontier as a trader, interpreter, and guide. He arranged numerous peace councils with the Indians, accompanied several important military expeditions, and blazed a wagon trail through the center of the Indian Territory which became known as the Chisholm Cattle Trail.