Nat Love

Nat Love (1854 – 1921), also known as Nate Love, was an African American cowboy during the time of the claim to that moniker. In 1907, Love wrote his autobiography, “Life and Adventures of Nat Love.”

Love was born a slave in Davidson County, Tennessee, in 1854. Despite slavery era statutes that outlawed black literacy he learned to read and write as a child with the help of his father. He later went west to Dodge City, Kansas, and became a cowboy. He entered a rodeo on the 4th of July in 1876. He won the rope, throw, tie, bridle, saddle and bronco riding contests. His fans called him by the nickname “Deadwood Dick.”^[1]

In October 1877, he was captured by a band of Akimel O’odham (Pima) while rounding up stray cattle near the Gila River in Arizona. Love reported that his life was spared because the Indians respected his fighting ability. Awhile after being captured, Love stole a pony and managed to escape into West Texas.