12/03/2024
A.B. Blocker: The Legendary Texas Trail-Rider at 83
In San Antonio, circa 1939, an elderly cowboy by the name of A.B. Blocker stood as a living testament to the era of the great cattle drives. At 83 years old, A.B. Blocker was still as sharp and resilient as the Texas prairies he had traversed countless times throughout his life. A true pioneer of the trail, he was known to many as perhaps the greatest trail-riding cowboy of all time.
Born in the rough and untamed lands of Texas, A.B. Blocker epitomized the grit, determination, and resilience that characterized the state's early cowboys. With a lifetime spent on horseback, he was a figure larger than life, having driven cattle from the expansive ranches of Texas northward so many times that even he likely lost count. His prowess on the trail made him a legend not only in Texas but across the entire cattle-driving community.
But it wasn’t just his experience on the trail that set A.B. Blocker apart. Among his many contributions to the cowboy legacy was his design of the iconic XIT brand, a symbol that became synonymous with the ruggedness and enterprise of the Texas cattle industry. The XIT brand, standing for the "Ten in Texas," marked the vast XIT Ranch, which covered over three million acres in the Texas Panhandle. A.B.'s role in its creation is a testament to his influence and vision, leaving a lasting legacy on the landscape of Texan ranching.
A.B. Blocker’s reputation as a no-nonsense Texas man also drew the attention of esteemed folklorist and historian J. Frank Dobie, who immortalized his stories and character in writing. To Dobie and many others who chronicled the lives of these larger-than-life figures, A.B. was more than just a trail-rider; he was the embodiment of the cowboy spirit, a man whose life story deserved to be passed down through generations.
As he reflected on his life in San Antonio during his twilight years, A.B. shared a treasure trove of stories, each filled with the dust, grit, and adventure of the open trail. His tales were not just about driving cattle but about the friendships forged under the stars, the dangers faced from rustlers and stampedes, and the sheer tenacity required to guide massive herds across rivers, plains, and hostile territories. These stories, soon to be shared in full, promise to paint a vivid picture of a life spent in pursuit of excellence on the trail.
By 1943, when A.B. Blocker passed away, he left behind a legacy that few could rival. He was more than a cowboy; he was a trailblazer whose exploits defined an era and whose name should be remembered alongside the greats of Western history. In the coming days, his complete account will be shared—a narrative that promises to capture the essence of what it meant to be a true cattle-driving cowboy in the wild frontier of Texas. A.B. Blocker, at 83, was still every bit the indomitable cowboy, a living legend of the Lone Star State.
Take the time to share this incredible Texas history.
History courtesy of Historical memories.
