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True Tales from the Texas Fence Cutting Wars, 1880-1890

May 5, 2019 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Across the Texas in the 1880s, battles broke out between permanent ranchers and landless cattlemen over access to resources that were vital to them both—grass and water.  Before this chapter in Texas history closed, enemies were made, property was damaged, and lives were lost.  This month historian Brooke Wibracht will share true tales from her research into the men and women who participated in the Texas Fence Cutting Wars.  Ranchers, cutters, and the Texas Rangers all had their parts to play as state and local authorities sorted through accusations and quelled violent outbursts—or did not in some cases.  After you hear how this complex struggle over Texas lands unfolded, we think you will agree with Wibracht that in the end “finding justice was complicated.”

Brooke Wibracht received her Ph.D. from Texas Christian University, M.A. from Loyola University Chicago, and B.A. from Texas A&M University.  Her research focuses on the Texas Fence-Cutting Wars, and she examines the role of the state government, the Texas Rangers, and ranchers as they fought over barbed wire and public land.  She contributed to the forthcoming book, Texas Women and Ranching: On the Range, At the Rodeo, In their Community with a chapter titled, “Mabel Doss, Mary Ketchum Meredith, and the Texas Fence-Cutting Wars” and teaches Texas History at TCU.

Admission is free and street parking is plentiful.

Details

Date:
May 5, 2019
Time:
10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Venue

Fort Worth Public Library – Southwest Regional
4001 Library Ln
Fort Worth, TX 76109 United States
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