Country Lifestyles
Photographing the Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch
By Jessica Crabtree
What is a photo worth? Can a price be placed on an image, or does it remain priceless? What if a photo captures a piece of living history and preserves it for years so that multiple generations will know it existed? That is the sentiment behind the book, Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch. The glossy, bound book is comprised of 180 images displaying true Texas history and documenting a way of life.
Photographer, Jeremy Enlow, of Weatherford, is the master-mind behind the outstanding book. Page by page the photos are made up of magnificent colors created by Mother Nature and the individuals who inhabit the Waggoner Ranch, the cowboys. Each presents his own story and ties to the colossal ranch. Some are third and fourth generation; some have been there since graduating high school, while others came home after a stint in the army. Whatever their reason, their living places them as part of the Waggoner Ranch tradition handed down from founder Daniel “Dan” Dale Waggoner to his son W.T. “Tom” Waggoner and every generation of cowboy after. It categorizes them as part of the largest ranch within one fence—at 510,572 acres. It also attaches them to the Waggoner name as Tom became known as the greatest cattleman in Texas and wealthiest man this side of the Mississippi.
Enlow first visited the ranch in April of 2015, expanding his equestrian photos. A photographer by trade, Enlow grew up a newspaper editor’s son and was always around cameras. To read more pick up the April 2016 issue of NTFR.
Jimbo Glover (left), coffee cup in hand, watches to see that everyone is loaded and then leads the long line of vehicles out to the pasture on the Waggoner Ranch. George Calvin Self rests on the toolbox of the truck.
The Waggoner Ranch, located in North Texas, is the largest ranch under one fence in the United States spreading 510,00 acres into six counties.
Photographer Jeremy Enlow documented the 26 cowboys who work on the ranch and published a 140 page coffee table hardcover book, Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch, which was released Nov. 1, 2015.
The book is available to purchase at waggonercowboys.com
The calvesÕ right ears are marked with a nine underbit with a crop, a mark that is registered along with the Waggoner brand. A nine underbit means the crop is on the bottom, or underside, of the ear, and is curved similar to the back of the number nine. The end of the ear is lopped off straight. The ear crop began to be used in the late 1800s to thwart cattle rustlers who attempted to alter ownersÕ brands and claim the cattle as their own. The crop also helps cowboys identify a cowÕs ownership when they are riding on the wrong side and canÕt see a cowÕs brand. Calves also are given an ear tag they will wear all their lives.
The Waggoner Ranch, located in North Texas, is the largest ranch under one fence in the United States spreading 510,00 acres into six counties.
Photographer Jeremy Enlow documented the 26 cowboys who work on the ranch and published a 140 page coffee table hardcover book, Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch, which was released Nov. 1, 2015.
The book is available to purchase at waggonercowboys.com
The Waggoner D is applied to the right hip with the round part facing the calfÕs rear. The reversed triple D is the registered brand, but one D is sufficient for branding.
The Waggoner Ranch, located in North Texas, is the largest ranch under one fence in the United States spreading 510,00 acres into six counties.
Photographer Jeremy Enlow documented the 26 cowboys who work on the ranch and published a 140 page coffee table hardcover book, Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch, which was released Nov. 1, 2015.
The book is available to purchase at waggonercowboys.com
The Waggoner Ranch, located in North Texas, is the largest ranch under one fence in the United States spreading 510,00 acres into six counties.
Photographer Jeremy Enlow documented the 26 cowboys who work on the ranch and published a 140 page coffee table hardcover book, Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch, which was released Nov. 1, 2015.
The book is available to purchase at waggonercowboys.com
By Bryce
He kicked the goose down blanket to the cold and wood planked floor.
You could see his breath as he was headed for the bathroom door.
He tiptoed down the hall. His feet were bare, in need of socks. And wished that he’d at least tried on his Christmas present Crocks.
His gout caused him to stumble, bumped a cracked and aging mirror. The cowboy’s true reflection forced an old man to appear.
The cowboy hesitated. Both hands were aged and shook. But he stretched and straightened out the mirror. This time he dared a look.
His face was worn and wrinkled, gray hair knotted on his head. Eyebrows kinked and twisted showed a hint of younger red.
The wrinkles in his face proved years of riding in the sun, and maybe too much bourbon from his younger days of fun.
The cowboy quizzed the old man, “Are you sure you’re really me?” The old goat in the mirror replied, “You don’t like what you see?”
“You’ve walked past me a thousand times and never shot a glance. Your gaze into the mirror today is more than happenstance.”
To read more, pick up a copy of the July issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Dal Houston
I have always liked dogs. Well, to say I have always really loved dogs would be more truthful – especially mutts or dogs from the pound. Until recent years, the only dogs I really did not like were pit bulls. It seemed like every other day there would be a news story about a pit bull mauling some child or elderly person, and in some cases, killing them. After hearing these stories, I often wondered why someone would want such a dangerous dog. I even remember hearing about some wanting to ban pit bulls from their communities, and at one time, I thought that may not be a bad idea.
I do not think I had ever had an encounter with a pit bull, nor did I know anyone who did, that caused this negative opinion, rather it was what I heard about the breed from others that turned me against them. Then, about eight years ago, while looking for cattle along the river, a pit bull pup, likely having been dumped, came out of the brush. Had it been a dog of any other breed, I would have had no qualms about approaching it, but I saw that thick, wide head, and all I could think was that I had better be careful because it was probably a dangerous dog. The pup was scared and standoffish, but after a while, we finally approached each other. This was the beginning of a wonderful relationship, and, as I have recently learned, a dramatic eye-opening life lesson.
To read more, pick up a copy of the July issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Annette Bridges
My country boy and I are in our fifth decade together, and that sounds like forever when I write it. I am thankful for our many years together, but these days I wish I could shake the feeling of time as fleeting. I am doing my best, however, to accept the progression of time as part of the miracle of life and focus on living each and every moment to its fullest potential.
Our past decade has been one of many changes, but maybe all decades are like that. Some
changes we want, some we do not. Some we create ourselves, some when we have no choice other than to accept them as part of life. I admit I have not been super happy with myself in recent years. I am carrying the extra pounds I promised myself I would not gain back. I still struggle with sadness and regret so deep that at times takes my breath away.
To read more, pick up a copy of the July issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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