Fort Worth - The First Bulldogger

THE FIRST BULLDOGGER

W.M. "Bill" Pickett (1870-1932) originated
the rodeo event of bulldogging, known
today as steer wrestling.
Native Texan Pickett developed a unique
style of bulldogging, which hade him world
famous as a wild west show and rodeo per-
former. Bill would leap from the left side of
his horse, catch the steer by the horns, twist
the animal's neck until he was able to reach
over ans sink his teeth into the steer's lip.
In 1908, Pickett appeared in the Coliseum
during the Fort Worth Stock Show. It was
one of several performances here.
Bill died of injuries received when he was
kicked in the head by a wild horse while
working for the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch.
Colonel Zack Miller wrote a poem to his
memory, these last lines sum up the respect
earned by this cowboy:

like many men in the old-time West,
on any jobm he did his best
he left a blank that's hard to fill
for there'll be never another bill.

In 1972, Bill Pickett became the first black
cowboy to be inducted into the National
Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Artist: Lisa Perry

Presented to the City of Fort Worth on May 23, 1987.
Sponsor: The North Fort Worth Historical Society

Plaque with names 'in appreciation to' not copied (but we have it photographed for those interested).

Statues - Hither & Thither

The First Bulldogger - Bill Pickett

Description

Signature

Information Sign

Sculptor

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Locatie (N 32°47'20" - W 97°20'52") (Satellite view: Google Maps)