A look at history: Molly Goodnight was darling of the Plains

This month marks 141 years since the marriage of Mary Ann "Molly" Dyer - known as the "Mother of the Panhandle" - to one of Texas' most famous ranchers, Charles Goodnight. Married on July 26, 1870, the couple spent a seven-year stint ranching in Pueblo, Colo., before a number of unfavorable conditions resulted in their relocation to the Palo Duro Canyon. According to historical accounts, Molly, as she would be regarded by cowhands throughout the years, considered Texas to be much more civilized than Colorado and was particularly disturbed when two men were found hanged on a telegraph pole nearby. This lack of civility, coupled with the ensuing drought and the Panic of 1873, resulted in the Goodnights relocating to Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas Panhandle. Charles found a financial backer in John George Adair, a wealthy Irish landowner, and the two men and their wives started the JA Ranch in the Palo Duro Canyon. The Goodnights convinced the Adairs to select this location because of the plentiful grass for grazing, a steady water supply and protection for the cattle during the winter by the canyon walls. The group moved a herd of 100 Durham bulls and four wagons stocked with provisions to the site in May 1877 and built a two-room cabin. Soon the Adairs left management of the ranch to Charles and Molly, signing a five-year contract that guaranteed Charles one-third of the ranch's interest and a $2,500 annual salary. Charles began what would become an 11-year career with the JA Ranch, growing the herd and expanding the ranch, which at its peak spanned 1,325,000 acres...more