Bull Whackers

Ever yearn to be a bull whacker, driving a team of eight oxen, heading to Fort Laramie? 

William Parker Carr did, whacking his bullocks to get them to move..

"Off he went, inspiring his oxen team to move alongside the flat, meandering Platte River. 

"By night around the campfire, Carr listened to bull whackers' tales: About the guy who drove a flock of turkeys a thousand miles to Utah. Or the chap who hauled frozen oysters to market along the trail. Or the freighter who made a mint selling cats to Denver miners. They used the cats as mousers—or even as companions. At least that's what those bull whackers said.

"And by day Carr brandished his long whip until it split the sky with cracks. Highdy, highdy, highdy, haw! He also engaged in the fine art of twisting an ox's tail to get his attention."

Read about it 

in my upcoming book, THIEVES, RASCALS & SORE LOSERS.