Across the fence: Celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Chadron to Chicago cowboy race (Part I)

One hundred and twenty

years ago nine riders, mounted

on western-bred horses,

gathered on the street in

front of the Blaine Hotel in

Chadron, Nebraska. Eight

riders held the lead rope of

a second horse that would be

used alternately during the

1,000 mile ‘race’ to Chicago.

More of a test of endurance

for man and horse than a race

against time, the idea for the

event began as an attention

grabbing press release for

gullible eastern newspapers.

Not only did the public take

the bait, but also the interest

and enthusiasm for such an

event became so popular that

the intended practical joke

had to b...