Dale “Wild Rag” Masden will be the featured speaker at the Barton County Historical Society monthly program meeting at 7:30. Monday, June 25. Masden has lived in Ellinwood the past 18 years and has worked for H&B Communications of Holyrood for 33 years.
“Wild Rag” will describe the history of the Cox Cattle Trail that was a branch of the old Chishom Trail that ran from Caldwell into Wichita. The Cox trail branched off toward Raymond, Ellinwood and the “Big Bend” area near Great Bend.
He will give a brief resume of how the 150th anniversary cattle drive was organized, the difference between cowboys of today and yesterday, and what it was like to “ride with the herd” again after several years of being in business rather than having “fun” on the ranch.
Items, journals and equipment used on the trail ride will be on public display. The history talk will be presented in the Schulz Research Library at the museum building. The Barton County Historical Museum and Village is located just south of the Arkansas River Bridge on U.S. 281. The meeting is open to the public. There is no admission charge, director Beverly Komarek said.