Robert Rayner's Coming of Age

Ozona—In the vast, untamed terrains of 1890s Texas, a young boy orphaned by the frontier embarked on a journey that would lead him through the enormous and dissimilar regions of West Texas, the Chihuahuan Dessert, and the western frontier. His account is marked by adventure, hardship, and the raw spirit of cowboy life. Born into a family touched by tragedy, with his mother Alice Taylor, a survivor of Indian captivity, and his father killed in a violent dispute, Robert Rayner's early life was a testament to his resilience.

Robert's narrative began along the banks of the Pedernales River, where the echoes of his family's past linger still. By age fourteen, he found himself along the South Llano River in Junction, working at the Junction City Clipper under J. M. Borland. This early venture into the printing world was short-lived; however, as the Clipper fell on tough times, they moved to Center Point, Texas, where they soon went out of business, and fate beckoned Robert to follow a more vigorous path.

"I cannot give much of an account of my parents, as my father was killed by Ed Jaynes when I was nine years old, and my mother died of pneumonia in Junction City when I was 14 years old. I was the oldest of nine children. After my mother's death, we all became separated and have never all been together since then. That was in 1889. We are all living, except the youngest sister, who died in 1912," explained Robert (circa 1946).

The turning point came during a fishing trip in 1892, where Robert met Lewis Lockhart, who proposed an adventure to New Mexico. With little more than youthful enthusiasm and a desire for change, Robert agreed. The journey was arduous, marked by encounters with the harsh realities of the frontier. From deep sands that slowed their wagons to five miles a day to the challenges of finding drinkable water in the desolate stretches, each day was a test of endurance.

One memorable incident involved a well where dead skunks tainted the water. Robert explains, "The first bucketful we drew up had a dead skunk in it. He had been in the well so long he had no more hair on him than there is in the palm of your hand. Well, we pulled up two more skunks, and by this time we had decided that we did not want any drinking water. The horses refused to drink it, too." The group was forced to travel through the night to find sources of clean water. Such experiences were not just tests of physical strength, but they built character, shaping Robert into the cowboy he was destined to become.

Upon reaching Seven Rivers, New Mexico, Robert's transformation was underway. He embraced the cowboy life, driving cattle up the trail to the railheads in Kansas. His first significant job involved driving a herd of Mexican longhorns, a grueling and enlightening experience. A three-day rainstorm during the drive left him and his companions without sleep, illustrating the relentless nature of their work.

Robert's tales are filled with vivid imagery of the West, from sleeping under the stars to the camaraderie around campfires. One night, after days of relentlessly riding the trail, he dreamed so vividly of chasing cattle that he leaped from his bed, believing he was still in pursuit, only to find himself downstairs and out the door.

His adventures continued as he joined the "Turkey Track" outfit, where he encountered Old Blackhead, a horse known for unseating riders. Yet, in a twist of fate or perhaps sheer beginner's luck, Robert rode him without incident.

Robert Rayner's story is more than a recount of personal exploits; it's a window into an era when the American West was still being tamed. His narrative captures the essence of a time when men lived by their wits and strength, where each day could bring new challenges or adventures. His journey from a young orphan to a seasoned cowboy reflects the spirit of the frontier—tough, resilient, and ever-moving toward new horizons.

As Robert reflects on his life at "three score and eleven years," his story serves not just as a personal memoir but as a historical document, preserving the lore of the Old West for future generations. His life, marked by loss, adventure, and the unyielding pursuit of a new life, sums up the very essence of the American Dream, forged on the trails of the Texas frontier.