Nat Love, aka Deadwood Dick

image source

Nat Love:

Love was born a slave in Davidson County, Tennessee, in 1854. Despite slavery era statutes that outlawed black literacy he learned to read and write as a child with the help of his father. He later went west to Dodge City, Kansas, and became a cowboy. He entered a rodeo on the 4th of July in 1876. He won the rope, throw, tie, bridle, saddle and bronco riding contests. His fans called him by the nickname "Deadwood Dick."

In October 1877, he was captured by a band of Akimel O'odham (Pima) while rounding up stray cattle near the Gila River in Arizona. Love reported that his life was spared because the Indians respected his fighting ability. Thirty days after being captured, Love stole a pony and managed to escape into West Texas.

Love spent the latter part of his life working as a Pullman porter. He died in Los Angeles at age 67 in 1921.

The Life and Adventures of Nat Love, Better Known in the Cattle Country as "Deadwood Dick" by Himself; a True History of Slavery Days, Life on the Great Cattle Ranges and on the Plains of the "Wild and Woolly" West, Based on Facts, and Personal Experiences of the Author (electronic edition with cover, photos and illustrations)

The Life and Adventures of Nat Love, Also Known As Deadwood Dick (LibriVox audiobook)