11th Annual Junior Cypress Cattle Drive

Runaway Cattle Lead to Impromptu Cow Hunt

By Judy Weeks

BIG CYPRESS — What started out as the 11th Annual Junior Cypress Cattle Drive on March 31 turned into an event of much larger proportions — including a hunt for runaway cows.

A record crowd of over 400 cowboys and cowgirls ranging from 2 to 84 gathered at the Billie Swamp Safari to register for the day’s activities. They received their commemorative handkerchiefs with numerous tribal brands surrounding the logos of both the Council and Board of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Then they headed for the Swamp Water Café, where an enormous breakfast buffet awaited them.

Then a steady stream of horse and livestock trailers made their way to the far end of the West Boundary Road, where a herd of longhorn cattle had been assembled for the 12-mile cattle drive to the Junior Cypress Entertainment Center and Rodeo Grounds. Horses were quickly saddled, riders mounted and the entourage assembled in preparation for the release of the cattle.

Big Cypress Board Representative Paul Bowers Sr. welcomed participants and gave them a brief history of the cattle drives that originated in this very same location more than 50 years ago. He then introduced Jonah Cypress, a son of Junior Cypress, in whose memory this annual event was organized and whose family members are eager participants each year.

From his perch aboard a tall swamp buggy, Moses Jumper Jr. told the audience about the Tribe’s first contact with the cattle brought to Florida by the early Spanish explorers. These animals flourished on the lush, green vegetation of the Florida peninsula and produced a vast number of wild cracker cattle that inhabited the area and were the foundation stock for the initial Seminole herds.

Chairman Mitchell Cypress said: “Looking across this sea of smiling faces, I can’t help but think of what a great tribute your participation is to the memory of Junior Cypress.”

“Today’s trail drive is one of many organized by the Seminole Tribe in which I have participated. As veterans we all have great stories to tell, but I can’t stress enough that we don’t want any of you to become one of those stories today,” remarked Hendry County Commissioner Bill Maddox.

Miss Florida Seminole Brittany Yescas rode forward and said, “This is my first time on a horse in over a decade and I am looking forward to enjoying a great day in your company. Let’s all have a good time, be safe and take home some great memories.”

The Rev. Salaw Hummingbird led the group in prayer, saying, “This is your opportunity to relive a glorious moment in the history of the everyday lives of many of our ancestors who drew their sustenance from this wonderful world provided by our Creator. As you ride down the trail today, look around you and marvel at God’s creations.”

Then the riders moved to one side to allow for the release of the cattle so the drive could get under way. But the cattle had other ideas, and approximately 1,000 feet from the pens they made a rapid dash off the road right-of-way into the cypress swamp. The less experienced riders went crashing after them, driving them further astray and scattering the herd in the heavy underbrush.

After half an hour of fruitless effort, the riders reassembled on the access road and it was decided that the cattle drive would have to become a daylong horseback ride. As the group proceeded along the planned route, Benny Hernandez of the Big Cypress Arena and his hand-picked crew of approximately 10 veteran cowpunchers moved off into the woodlands and began to encircle the cypress slough.

Just like the original cow hunters of the Seminole Tribe, these cowhands began moving carefully among the cypress knees, jumping fallen logs and pushing through dense thickets to seek out the strays and start bunching up small groups of cattle.

These were pushed slowly toward the main road, while outriders rode ahead of the remaining stock, cutting them off and circling them back to join the others. Before long they had retrieved all but 10 head, which could be reckoned with another day.

A few miles down the road, the main force of riders were taking a short rest beside the canal when someone spotted the herd rounding a bend in the trail. As word spread of their arrival, people began to shout and cheer. Hurrying to mount their horses, they formed a corridor to let the cattle pass and then fell in behind. It was time to head ’em up and move ’em out!

A tent and refreshments greeted the riders at the half-way point, where they took an hour’s break to rest the cattle and horses. Riding point in a covered wagon was this year’s honorary trail boss, Frank J. Billie.

One of the Seminole Tribe’s treasured senior citizens, Billie has been working cattle most of his 84 years. His early years were spent learning the survival techniques of his ancestors and living off the land. In 1940, he moved to Big Cypress and became involved in the cattle program, which was in its early stages.

Sitting beside Billie, Chairman Mitchell Cypress confided, “This man was very influential in my upbringing. He took care of me from toddler age all the way until it was time to go off to school. He was my guardian, put the bologna on the table and taught me about honesty, integrity and self-respect. He is my mentor and I owe him a great deal.”

Laughing, Billie said, “I didn’t have to discipline him until he was 3 years old, but then the fun began. He was all boy and full of big ideas.”

During the rest stop, Richard Bowers said: “We all need to thank Benny Hernandez, his son Little Benny, and his excellent string of cowpunchers who kept this from being a cattle drive without cows. If Junior Cypress were alive today, he would be very proud of their efforts which signify what this cattle drive is all about. … Reliving this cattle drive gives us a sense of where we come from and who we are. We are currently working on a project for a cattle exhibit for the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in an effort to pass this wonderful legacy on to our next generations.”

“The Seminole Tribe was a generous sponsor of the Great Florida Cattle Drive of 2006,” said Tara Johns. “Approximately 520 people mounted on horses, mules and wagons participated in driving 600 cattle across many miles of family owned ranches in rural Osceola County. Mr. Tom Mullany is here today on behalf of this fine group of individuals to present Chairman Mitchell Cypress with a flintlock rifle and custom made scrimshaw powder horn depicting his Otter Clan and their gratitude.”

Cecil Tucker II presented Seminole Tribe President Moses Osceola with a custom-made knife and decorated sheath on behalf of the same organization.

Florida Cracker Storyteller Butch Harrison returned for a second year and entertained the audience with one of his tales while cracking his bull whip to the delight of the younger set.

Paul Bowers Sr. next introduced Dale Oldham, Council Delegate for the Crow Nation, and special guest of the Seminole Tribe for the Cattle Drive and Rodeo.

Special recognition also went to:

The numerous descendents of Junior Cypress who are carrying on his legacy and have made the cattle industry a family tradition;

Stanlo Johns of the Brighton Reservation, who has been designated Pioneer Cracker Cattleman of the Year;

Iris Wall, Florida Agricultural Woman of the Year;

The Yarborough Family Ranch, which has been elevated to the Agricultural Hall of Fame.;

Mary Jene Koenes, who permitted the use of her pasture for the Cattle Drive rest area. She said she was the fifth generation in her family to have this particular pasture, and shared childhood memories of the cattle industry her great uncle, Junior Cypress.

Returning to the trail, the riders proceeded to the Josie Billie Highway, wound their way down through the Big Cypress community and pushed the cattle into the holding pens at the Junior Cypress Entertainment Center and Rodeo Grounds.

At the end of the long day on the trail, they were welcomed by a sumptuous buffet dinner served by Renegade Barbeque Company from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. EIRA provided the evening’s entertainment.