Pure Cowboy

Member: National Bit, Spur & Saddle Collector's Association and Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America

Item #C200 / $1,200.

101 Ranch Personalized Cowboy Trunk

This trunk came from the 101 Ranch.  It is made of wood covered with birch bark.  It is further decorated with leather strips attached to the outside by brass tacks.  The initials J D are made in the top lid and encircled with leather and tacks.  The inside is wood.  Glued to the inside of the rounded lid is a picture (postcard?) of two cowboys posing in front of a building bearing a sign that says "RANCH 101".  The lock is open -there is no key.  It is quite a pretty mechanism.  At one time a leather strap buckled across the keyhole.  The buckle is present at the bottom, but the strap has broken off.  A chain attached on the right hand side keeps the lid at an open angle without fully opening.  The handles on either side of the trunk seem to be hand forged.  This is a beautiful personalized piece of 101 Ranch history that would make a lovely addition to any serious collection or bring authenticity to a Western themed room.

The trunk measures 25 1/2 inches long by 13 inches deep and 11 inches tall at the top of the domed lid.  The vintage photograph is 3 1/2 x 5 inches.

The 101 Ranch, established by Col. George W. Miller in 1879 on the banks of the Salt Fork River southwest of what is now Ponca City, began with thousands of acres of land which Miller both leased and purchased from his friends — the Ponca, Tonkawa and Osage tribes. The Colonel, who died in 1903 at the age of 61, and the ranch, which was already successful came into the capable hands of his sons, George, Joe and Zack.

It was 1905 when the Millers offered to perform what they called a “round-up” or “buffalo chase” as an entertainment incentive for a National Editorial Association convention. Visitors were said to come to the ranch in 30 regular and special trains, and the crowd estimated at nearly 60,000 was thrilled to the exhibition of cowboys recreating real life ranch work from bronc riding and roping to Tom Mix’s debut as a roper and rider.

The ranch continued to operate while the Wild West Show toured the country and the world to huge crowds and great acclaim.  {See Harry Doll's 101 Wild West Show Saddle} They eventually merged with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in 1909. {See Buffalo Bill and 101 Wild West Show Pennant} After years of success as the “101 Ranch Real Wild West and Great Far East Show” things at the ranch began to crumble in the late 1920s, due to the deaths of Joe in 1927 and George in 1929.

101 Ranch Cowboy Trunk / Item #C200 /  $1,200.

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Members: National Bit, Spur & Saddle Collector's Association

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