Monday

Bill Pickett - cowboy and rodeo performer.

A handbill from1922 advertising The Bull- Dogger movie starring Bill Pickett
Pickett was born in Travis County, Texas in 1870. He was one of of 13 children whose family ancestry was African, white and Cherokee Native American.
He invented the technique of bulldogging, which is grabbing cattle by the horns and wrestling them to the ground. 
Pickett and his 4 brothers started the Pickett Brothers Bronco Busters and Rough Riders Association. He also made a living demonstrating his bulldogging skills and other stunts at county fairs.
In 1905, Pickett joined the Wild West Show that featured  Buffalo Bill and Will Rogers where he was dubbed the "Dusty Demon."
In 1932, Bill Pickett was kicked in the head by a wild bronco while working horses at the 101 Ranch and died of his injuries eleven days later.
Pickett was the first black man named to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1971.

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