In the development of Dakota Territory, the ox was an important and indispensable element. With the patience and fortitude only exceeded by that of his master, he transported the pioneers and their household goods onto the frontier.
The ox transported the pioneers and their household goods into the wilderness. It was here that the ox logged the land, broke the sod, planted the crop, and lugged it to market. And for the most part, the ox survived by grazing the wild vegetation along the road or trail between jobs.
Literally, the great human wave swept over the prairies to the measured tread of the ox-team. Contrary to tradition, the ox was an intelligent creature that did his work with understanding. If his master was equally intelligent and handled his cattle with respect and sympathy, the results were substantial and satisfactory.
Not only was the ox the beast of burden in the breaking of the sod, the power of the “bull train,” he frequently was the adorned steed of pleasure as well. The ox-race was a regular feature of the county fairs. He transported the guests to the balls and social gatherings and added solemnity to the funeral cortege.
When he had outlived his usefulness under the yoke, his service was not ended. Some became a pet of the children and lived out their natural life in pleasure. When the ox died, his hide was transformed into moccasins, boots and saddle leather, his horns into powder flasks and his flesh fattened the larder.
No history of the West was complete that did not bear testimony to the important contribution of the patient ox. The ox train which transported the supplies and equipment across the prairie prior to the building of the railroad was especially important in our area.
Research shows that the largest ox train started from Helena, Montana for the railroad on the 20th of October, 1877. It consisted of 54 wagons, 28 bullwhackers, and 280 head of cattle.
One of the famous trails in South Dakota was the Fort Pierre to Deadwood Trail (1876 – 1906) which began when the steamboats would dock at the end of Hustan Avenue in Fort Pierre near the southwest end of the present bridge across the Missouri. It followed what was a onetime an old buffalo which was used extensively by Indians and fur traders. It was established by the fur traders as access between the Black Hills and the Missouri River.
The goods would be transferred to the ox driven wagon trains for the grueling trip to Deadwood before the railroad was completed. The discovery of gold in Deadwood in 1875 resulted in hordes of folks headed for the Black Hills which was in the heart of the Great Sioux Reservation. The fact that they were trespassing on Indian land didn’t stop them and they kept coming from all directions.
Dick Dunn’s ox train came into Deadwood from Fort Pierre on July 13, 1877. It made the round trip in 17 days traveling time. This was thought to be the quickest time every made with a loaded train. It demonstrated that it is not necessary that goods should be months between the time they are shipped and that of the time they reach their destination.
The Daily Press and Dakotaian on November 5, 1879, reported:
“The streets of Deadwood are overrun with ox trains.”
The round trip took 30 days over this famous trail from 1876 to 1906. From 1876 to 1887, Northwestern Railway operated what they call the Bull Train. The 200 mile trip from Fort Pierre to Deadwood took 15 days. Twenty oxen pulled 3 wagons loaded with 20,000 pounds of freight. They traveled from 4am to 10am, rested and grazed ox till 4pm and then traveled again till dark. Thirty wagons and 200 oxen made up the complete Bull Train plus an extra head used as replacements.
In October of 1882 the residents and officials of Deadwood complained that main street was once again blockaded with a miscellaneous collection of rolling stock. Apparently, long ox trains, mule outfits, farmers’ wagons, express wagons, hacks, buggies, and men on horseback practically run over each other. The necessity of opening Sherman Street to traffic is now realized more and more. City officials, it is time that you take notice!
The Tabor Independent of November 17, 1921 contained the following item with a dateline of Jefferson, Iowa: “A marriage engagement which listed 54 years was consummated when J. H. Willis, aged 76, married Mary Wiley, aged 75, both of whom have lived in Iowa since coming from Milwaukee with their parents in 1868, making the trip in an oxcart. The two became acquainted when the ox trains met one night and were engaged when they reached their destination. Mr. Willis’ father died soon after their arrival. He was an only son, and his mother insisted the young man live with her. Mrs. Willis, aged 96, died in Los Angeles a few days ago. Miss Wiley, who had been visiting in Sioux City, met Mr. Willis when he returned from burying his mother in Pennsylvania, and they were married at once.”
The headline for this story from the Tabor Independent was:
“ENGAGED HALF CENTURY, ARE FINALLY MARRIED.”
Author Author Clarence Shoemaker, originally published in the Gregory Times-Advocate on March 19, 2025