Bose Ikard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bose Ikard
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 1843 |
| Died | 1929 |
| Occupation | cowboy |
Bose Ikard (born around 1843 – died January 4, 1929) was an amazing African American cowboy. He was part of the very first cattle drives on a famous route called the Goodnight–Loving Trail. This happened after the American Civil War, up until 1869. Parts of his life story helped create the character Joshua Deets in the popular book Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.
Life as a Cowboy
Bose Ikard was born into slavery in Summerville, Noxubee County, Mississippi. This was around 1843. Before the Civil War, he lived with the family who owned him.
Later, the family moved to Parker County, Texas. As Bose grew up, he learned to be a ranch hand and a cowboy.
After the Civil War ended, Bose joined the big cattle drives. He worked as a tracker, finding the best paths for the cattle. He was also a trusted cowboy.
Bose Ikard was so trustworthy that Charles Goodnight, a famous cattleman, made him his personal banker. Bose often carried huge amounts of cash, sometimes thousands of dollars. He kept the money safe until it could be put in a bank.
His last cattle drive was in 1869. After that, Bose settled down in Parker County. He became a farmer and started a family with his wife, Angeline.
A Lasting Legacy
Bose Ikard passed away on January 4, 1929, in Weatherford, Texas. Charles Goodnight, his old boss and friend, paid for a special marker at Bose's grave. It is in Greenwood Cemetery in Weatherford.
The words on Bose Ikard's gravestone say:
Bose Ikard (1859–1928)
Served with me four years on the Goodnight-Loving Trail, never shirked duty or disobeyed an order, rode with me in many stampedes, participated in three engagements with Comanches, splendid behavior. C. GOODNIGHT
In June 1929, Charles Goodnight spoke about Bose Ikard. He told the Weatherford Daily Herald that he had trusted Bose more than anyone else. Goodnight said Bose was his "detective, banker, and everything else" in the wild lands they traveled.
Bose Ikard's life also inspired a character in a famous book. The author Larry McMurtry wrote Lonesome Dove. In this book, the African American cowboy character, Joshua Deets, was based on Bose Ikard. An actor named Danny Glover played the role of Joshua Deets in the TV series based on the book.
The epitaph (words on a gravestone) for the fictional character Joshua Deets was written like this:
Josh Deets
Served with me 30 years, Fought in 21 Engagements with the Commanche and Kiowa. Cherful in all weathers. Never sherked a task. Splendid behaviour.
Honors and Recognition
Bose Ikard has been honored in many ways for his important role in history:
- A Texas Historical Marker now stands at Bose Ikard's grave.
- In 1999, he was added to the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
- In 1979, he was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame.
- In 2002, an elementary school in Weatherford was named in his honor: Bose Ikard Elementary School.
