Pickett pioneers rodeo • Leander

Pickett pioneers rodeo • Leander

Written by Jim Dawson Sunday, 07 January 2007

Born at the Jenks-Branch community near Leander in 1870 to parents who were former slaves, William “Bill” Pickett is credited with originating the modern rodeo contest of bulldogging (steer wrestling).

Riding his horse Spradley, Pickett would come alongside a longhorn steer’s head, twist its head toward the sky, and bite its upper lip to get full control. Cowdogs of the bulldog breed were known to bite the lips of cattle to subdue them. That’s how Pickett’s technique got the name of “bulldogging.” He perfected this method of bulldogging, as well as roping and riding, and was soon giving exhibitions and passing the hat for donations.

Pickett, performing as the “Dusky Demon,” exhibited his bulldogging at rodeos and fairs throughout Texas and the West, creating a sensation at the 1904 Cheyenne Frontier Days, then America’s best known rodeo. Capitalizing on his fame, Pickett contracted in 1905 to perform at the 101 Ranch Wild West Show and moved his wife and their nine children to the ranch in Oklahoma.

With the show, he entertained millions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America and England. Pickett starred in two movies, including The Bull Dogger made in 1921, and became the first African-American cowboy movie star.

Had he not been banned from competing with white rodeo contestants, Pickett might have become one of the greatest record-setters in his sport. He was often identified as an Indian, or some other ethnic background, to be allowed to compete in rodeos.

Pickett lived on the 101 Ranch in Oklahoma until his death in 1932 after being kicked in the head by a horse. Will Rogers, Pickett’s good friend, announced his death on his radio program saying, “Bill Pickett never had an enemy. Even the steers wouldn’t hurt old Bill.”

In 1972, Pickett became the first African-American honoree in the National Rodeo Hall of Fame, and was enshrined in the Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy in 1989. In 1994, the U.S. Post Office included Pickett in the Legends of the West postage stamp series, with Annie Oakley, Wyatt Earp, Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok.

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