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"Dusky Deamon" Bill Pickett born in Travis County
On this day in 1870, black rodeo cowboy Bill Pickett was born in the
Jenks-Branch community in Travis County. After observing dogs subduing
huge steers by biting their upper lips, the young Pickett found he could
do the same thing. In 1888 he performed at the first fair in Taylor, his
family's new hometown. As the "Dusky Deamon," Pickett performed at
rodeos and fairs throughout Texas and the West. Capitalizing on his
fame, he contracted in 1905 to perform at the 101 Ranch in Oklahoma. By
1907 he had become a full-time employee of the ranch, where he worked as
a cowboy and performed with the 101 Ranch Wild West Show. He entertained
millions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, and
England, and was featured in several motion pictures, the first black
cowboy star. Pickett died in 1932 after being kicked in the head by a
horse. His friend Will Rogers commented on his radio show: "Bill Pickett
never had an enemy, even the steers wouldn't hurt old Bill." In 1972
Pickett became the first black honoree in the National Rodeo Hall of
Fame. In 1994 the United States Post Office issued a stamp in his honor,
though the stamp accidentally showed one of Pickett's brothers.
- Links to Related Handbook of Texas Online Articles
- PICKETT, WILLIAM
- TAYLOR, TX
- RODEOS
- SPORTS
- Other Texas Day by Day Articles for This Date
- Texans assault Mexican garrison at Béxar (1835)
- Spanish priests launch "peace offensive" (1791)
- Philosophical Society of Texas founded in Houston (1837)
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