In 1907 rancher James H. Cook described his experiences herding cattle from Texas to Nebraska to Eli S. Ricker. While Cook talked Ricker recorded the story in a notebook. The following is an excerpt quoted from that record: “The trailing of cattle from southern Texas to Kansas and Nebraska began in 1868. Immense herds were, during the existence of the industry, driven through to the north, the first destinations being Abilene, Wichita, and finally Ogallala. “In the beginning there was no market down in Texas, and southern men started to running their stock north to find a market.