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| A Connection To The Old West - A Cast Iron Grill |
Cooking everything on one flat hot surface was fun from the sizzle of the sausage to watching the eggs spread out the grill. On the edge of the grill I saw that Lodge, the maker of the cast iron, stamped U.S.A 1896,. That was when my thoughts went back in time.
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| Lodge cast iron grill - USA - 1896 stamped on the edge. |
I began to think of the chuck wagon and the man who cooked the meals, the hungry cowboys who drove the cattle long distances on the dusty range.
The dogs and cats all gathered around the stove hoping for a bite of this delicious food. What was it like to cook for the cowboys that were working out on the range driving cattle all day. I found a few vintage photos of a chuck wagon scene that was public domain.
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| Canvas tarps were fastened over the chuck wagon. |
In this next picture You can see how lonely it could have been out there. The cook didn't just prepare the meals he was also known as the barber, the doctor, the dentist, and banker for the cowboys. He played a very important role and had many responsibilities. Imagine being hot tired, dusty and hungry ready to get some grub in your belly after a full days work. They were dependent on him. No one dared complain about the food.
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| The cook preparing the meals out of the chuck wagon |
Here is a very good video that describes their life.
The cook had many nicknames. The one that I knew before was "Cookie" but I found there were more like Soggy, Pot Rustler, Lean Skillet, Old Pud, Old lady, Belly Cheater, Biscuit Roller, Dough Boxer, Dough Puncher, Greasy Belly, Grub Worm, Gut Robber, Sourdough, and more.
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| Cookie was a nickname for the cook of the chuck wagon Had to be up early in the morning to get the coffee hot and have breakfast ready. For the cowboys who drove cattle across many miles. |
There are good articles on the history of the cattle drives and the chuck wagons. I will list them below. I will surely think of them as I cook on my cast iron grill in the future.
To read more about the chuck wagon in the old west
here are some good links:
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| The men all lined up behind the chuck wagon to get their meal. |
Thank you for visiting little Utah Farm
Until next time,
Here's an old western saying.
Only a fool argues with a skunk, a mule, or a cook.
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| Deborah Moen Little Utah Farm |
Little Utah Farm Store always has a discout. Find the red text by the product and enter it at checkout.
Cow and Moon Square Pillow
This calf is standing in the light of a full moon. This square pillow comes in 2 sizes, 16" and 18 ". It can be ordered in polyester, cotton or outdoor fabric. Tere is a zipper option also.
Whoopie Ti Yi Yo, Get Along Little Dogies
