All Episodes

The 101 Ranch episode explains many "firsts" in the history of cowboys in tall grass. G.W. Miller was one of the very early settlers, arriving in the late 1890's before Oklahoma was a state. His sons, George, Joe and Zack developed what became one of the first "dude ranches", hosting famous names from all over the country. Bill Pickett, the black cowboy who invented bull dogging, the first women entertainers and rifle shots, the ranch currency that became known as "bucks" all were incubated on the 101 Ranch. It is truly a story of rags to riches to rags.

The saga of Tom Mix got started on the 101 Ranch. Mix drove cattle for the first western movie, "Life in the Great Southwest." He went on to perform in over 350 early western movies. His performing horse, Tony, was almost as famous as he was. His radio show for Ralston Purina was one of the longest running radio serials. More than any other cowboy, Mix started what became western movies.

Frank Phillips lived in two worlds. He was a full time oil man and he built a Legacy in the oil business. But Phillips had a deep sense of western history and loved to play cowboy. He would entertain eastern guests at his ranch, Woolaroc, which in time would house his vast collection of western art, Indian artifacts and homed animals. His Cowboys and Cattle Thieves reunions drew thousands of people, including many outlaws who were granted a day of amnesty to attend the event. He contributed to the many stories of Cowboys in Tall Grass.

The Dewey Roundup was one of the earliest, big rodeo events. It would rival Calgary, Pendelton and Cheyenne. It featured not only the Oklahoma rodeo stars who became nationally famous, but drew performers from all over the country. Train loads of people would attend the event promoted by Joe Bartles who paid the winner's purses in gold! Henry Grammer, Shoat Webster and Jim Shoulders were some of the Oklahoma performers who gained national acclaim.

Osage County in Oklahoma is the heartland of tall grass country. It drew early cattlemen who found the rich grass an ideal way to fatten cattle. Over time some of the countries largest ranches were located there. Most of these are gone now. But one, the Drummond family has survived. In the Drummond episode, Frederick and Tom Drummond tell the stories of how their klan was able to stick it out and survive to this day.

Ben Johnson, Sr. was a rodeo star, a world's champion roper. He gave up that career to become the foreman of the storied Chapman-Barnard Ranch. Johnson was a gambler and loved to bet on horses, dogs, foot races and cards. His son, Ben Jr. left the ranch to deliver horses to Hollywood and went on the become a movie star, most famous for his role in, "The Last Picture Show. The Johnsons left a legacy in the tall grass country.