The Most Land, The Best Cattle: The Waggoners of Texas by Judy Alter, is a colorful non-fiction history of Texas’ most influential ranching family. The book covers the period 1854 to when the ranch eventually sold in 2016.
In the 19th century, widower Daniel Waggoner and his young son, W.T. founded a cattle ranch in the Red River Valley of North Texas which through generations became the largest ranch in the nation. The ranch, expanding to 520,000-plus acres or 800 square miles, all under one fence, eventually consisted of various divisions—cattle, oil, horses, plus other holdings pertinent to ranching.
While founding a ranch in an area where Comanche raids still terrified families is fascinating, the stories of the following generations are equally captivating. The Waggoner men built the empire, though many of them eventually moved to the city while still involved in the daily workings of the ranch. Most of the wives and daughters lived in a luxurious whirl of social events. However, one woman, Electra Waggoner Biggs became a well-known sculptor. Among her many accomplishments is a life-size statue of cowboy-humorist Will Rogers (a friend of the family) riding his horse. Another notable work of Electra’s is a sculpture bust of President Harry Truman.
The book is divided into three parts: The Waggoner Men, The Waggoner Women, The Waggoner Legacy. I found all aspects of this amazing extended family riveting. Interspersed with the story are sidebars that delve into particular people, places, or situations that relate to the story.
The core of a ranch— its land and livestock— is dependent on the people involved. The Most Land, The Best Cattle describes in fascinating detail how a cattle dynasty is built, from its early, humble beginnings to becoming a world-famous empire.
