As many as 25 percent of the cowboys who participated in the texas cattle drives were:

As many as 25 percent of the cowboys who participated in the Texas cattle drives were AFRICAN AMERICANS.
Cattle drive was a main economic activity in  the Western part of America during the 19th century. The west were known for cattle breeding and they usually have to move these cattle from the home ranches to the rail-heads where they will be bought. The distance between these two points is always great and it may takes as much as two to three months before the distances are covered. The cowboy are the ones that drive the cattle to their selling points. Texas was particular successful in cow farming and as at that time about one fourth of the cows boys are of African American origin.