Margaret Borland: Rancher, Survivor, Trail Driver

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I’m constantly amazed at the larger-than-life men and women who settled the western states and Texas. Men and women who, despite great personal sacrifice, became a strong symbol of extraordinary strength and courage. The ghosts of those people hover around us to this day with a reminder to keep carrying the torch they lit for us long ago.

One such woman gave her all and scrawled her name across the land – Margaret Heffernan Borland. It’s fair to say that life dealt Margaret a poor hand, but she didn’t stand around crying and moaning. She anted-up and made things happen each time adversity came calling. I admire this woman’s tenacity and pure grit so much.

Margaret was five years old when she arrived on the first ship bringing Irish colonists to Texas in 1829. Her family settled on the wild prairies around San Patricio, but her father died in an Indian attack a few years after they put down roots. Then they found themselves in the crosshairs of the Texas Revolution. Margaret’s mother fled with her children to the fort at Goliad. When the Mexican army won the battle of Goliad, it’s said they escaped the massacre by speaking Spanish so fluently that the officers believed them to be native Mexicans. After the war, the Heffernan family returned to San Patricio where nineteen-year-old Margaret met and married Harrison Dunbar. Shortly after the birth of a daughter, Harrison was killed in a pistol duel on the streets of Victoria. Margaret found herself a widow and single parent at the age of twenty.

A year later, she married again, this time to Milton Hardy and they settled down to ranch on 2,912 acres of land. Margaret gave birth to a son and three daughters, one of whom died in infancy. Again, tragedy struck and her second husband along with her young son succumbed to cholera. She was left with one daughter.

In the four years that followed, she worked the ranch near Victoria and raised her children. Then she met Alexander Borland. He was one of the richest ranchers in South Texas. After a short courtship, she married him and bore this husband four children. In 1860, Alexander and Margaret Borland owned 8,000 head of cattle and they began to hear about trail drives from Texas to Missouri and beyond. They dreamed of together taking a herd to northern markets. But before they could realize their dream, Alexander died in a yellow fever epidemic. Despite Margaret’s best efforts, she was unable to halt the terrible toll yellow fever took on her family. Before it was over, in addition to her husband, she buried three of her daughters, a son, and an infant grandson. Only three children out of nine survived. I’m sure this rocked the very foundation of her soul. She’d given Texas almost everything she had.

After the devastating loss, she threw herself into running the ranch and managing the huge herd of livestock alone. Yet, tragedy again struck. A great blizzard swept down upon the plains during the winter of 1871-1872 and tens of thousands of Texas cattle froze to death, their carcasses dotting the landscape. The storm took a huge toll on Margaret’s herd. When early spring rolled around, Margaret weighed her options. In April 1873, she concluded that her only choice was to drive 2,500 head of the cattle that weathered the blizzard up the famed Chisholm Trail where she could get $23.80 per head compared to $8.00 in San Antonio. But no woman had ever driven a herd up the trail by herself.

Although Margaret was 49 years old, she never backed down from a challenge or doing what she felt in her gut she must. She gathered her three remaining children (aged sixteen, fourteen and eight,) a six-year-old granddaughter, her 25 year-old-nephew, and with a handful of hired drovers embarked on the long, grueling trip. It took them two months to reach Wichita, Kansas. Upon arriving, Margaret and the children took a room at a boardinghouse, The Planter House. Word quickly spread through town of the amazing feat she’d accomplished. The newspaper wrote articles about her saying she had “pluck and business tact far superior to many male trail drivers.” One article remarked that she had “become endeared to many in town on account of her lady-like character.”

Before Margaret was able to complete the sale of her cattle, she took ill. On July 5, 1873, the woman who’d spent her entire lifetime staring down the barrel of calamity and misfortune died in her room at The Planter House in Wichita. Speculation quickly spread that she died from “brain congestion” and “trail driving fever.” Whatever that was. It sounds like something quickly made up by men who envied her accomplishment. Cause of death was never determined but doctors today think she contracted meningitis. Here’s a map of the trail and you can see it went right across dangerous Indian Territory.

Compliments of artist Jose Cisneros

The nephew was saddled with the difficult task of getting her body home in addition to the children. She’s buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Victoria, Texas.

The woman who’d once single-handedly managed over 10,000 head of cattle, and did it quite expertly, became a legend up and down the Chisholm Trail. She overcame such adversity and is revered to this day for her courage and strength to take what life handed her and make the best of it.

I always love when I find little gold nuggets like this that add depth and emotion to my books. History is full of these remarkable pioneers who did the impossible and etched their stories in the sands of time. They’re just waiting for us to stumble across the indelible marks they left.

I ran across Margaret’s story when I researched for  THE HEART OF A TEXAS COWBOY about cattle drives. CLICK HERE The story revolves around Houston Legend and his attempt to take two thousand head of longhorns up the Great Western Trail to Dodge City. I reference Margaret Borland in this book and her fame provides Houston’s new wife, Lara, ammunition in attempts to convince him to let her go along. He does but soon regrets it, when two days out, he discovers three shadowy riders trailing them. Soon, their very survival is left in question. This was one of my favorite stories to write but please note, this is not a sweet romance. There are a few love scenes.

I’m giving away an ebook copy only of my current book, Cade’s Quest to two commenters. Just tell me if Margaret Borland’s story touched you in any way. Would you have attempted what she did?

 

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Here in the Texas Panhandle, we do love our cowboys. There's just something about a man in a Stetson and jeans that makes my heart beat faster. I'm not much of a cook but I love to do genealogy and I'm a bit of a rock hound. I'm also a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of historical western romance. You can contact me through my website and I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more. HAPPY READING!
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52 thoughts on “Margaret Borland: Rancher, Survivor, Trail Driver”

  1. It was a very touching story. She did a lot of things most people only dream about. There were a lot of men who could not do what she did.

    • Ann, thank you for coming. All men were envious of her and were quick to say after she died that she was doing something women weren’t supposed to and encroaching on their domain. Too wild. It’s kinda ironic that she survived so many horrible things and died making history. I’m glad you enjoyed reading about her.

    • Rhonda, thank you for liking this post. Margaret sure set a high bar for women. I don’t know anyone who had her level of grit and courage. Whatever catastrophe befell her, she just picked up and went on. Thanks for coming.

  5. I wonder what happened to the children after she died. I don’t think I’ve would have attempted the cattle drive.

    • Karijean, I’m not really sure what happened to them but she had brothers and one of them must’ve taken the kids. I’ll have to dig deeper. 🙂 I know I wouldn’t have attempted what she did. It would’ve been beyond me to drive that many cattle across town. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed reading about her.

  6. Hey Linda! Thanks for this article today! What an amazing woman! I’m not sure I could live up to that feat! Wow. Again, I enjoyed Cade’s Quest! Can’t wait for book #2!

    Best Wishes!

    • Tracy, seeing your name pop up brought a smile. I’m happy to post something of interest. I just can’t say enough how much I admired Margaret’s pure grit. To have escaped death so many times boggles my mind. God had a plan for her. That’s all I can say.

      I’m very happy you liked Cade’s Quest. Thank you for the nice words. Sending blessings and love.

  7. I find it’s interesting that someone could probably tell a similar tale of her nephew, a 25-year-old man stuck with four minors. What other tragedies did that young man face? I definitely wouldn’t have taken on the cattle drive. I find no need to challenge myself in any way and would prefer to sit at home with a cup of hot chocolate. 😉 Yeah, not for me.

    • M.J., thanks so much for coming over. That young nephew sure had his hands full, that’s for sure. I’ll have to dig deeper and see if I can find out more about him and about the children. I agree with you about the cattle drive. I would’ve been waiting at home. 🙂 Send me a wire when you get there. I hope you have a blessed day.

  8. Amazing what she endured during her lifetime. I don’t know if I would have had the courage to even try again after losing one husband let alone three, and so many of her babies. The women back then were a lot stronger and tougher than most of us these days. I know my mother was a very strong person. She had 7 children and went through the Great Depression. I remember her doing without so many times so that we could have, even food. She would only eat a small amount, saying she wasn’t very hungry, so there was enough for daddy and all of us. Thanks for your amazing research and for this article. Really enjoyed it.

    • Sarah, I just can’t say enough how much I admire Margaret. Didn’t matter what happened, she picked up and went on. And how amazing to escape death so many times. God had a plan for her. 🙂 I agree about the strength of the women in the past. My mother only had three children during the Depression but she worked right alongside my daddy picking cotton, hoeing, picking fruit, whatever work they could find. Food was always a shortage. Even after the Depression ended, we were the poorest of the poor and she often did without so me and my little sister could eat. That’s what mother’s did back then.

      Years ago, I wrote a short story called The Miracle that might touch you. It’s free on my website. Here’s the link: https://lindabroday.com/free-short-stories/the-miracle-a-short-story/

  9. What a remarkable woman. I’m sad that she didn’t get to enjoy the satisfaction of her accomplishment, but to think she finished that driving when she was likely unwell is just a further testimony to her strength and fortitude. What a hard life. But she made the most f it.

    • I agree, Karen. She is at the top of my list of the most remarkable women I’ve ever read about. I don’t know that much about meningitis, but you’re probably right that she was ill before they reached Wichita. Just really sad. And also sad that the men tried to say she died from doing a man’s job. Margaret definitely used up every second of her life. She didn’t waste any. To have escaped death so many times tells me God had a plan for her. She had grit in spades. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.

  10. What a great piece of history! I cannot imagine so much loss but she carried on and did what was needed. She was probably better than most men.

    • Debra, I was simply astounded when I ran across her when I was researching. Whatever befell her, she just picked up and went on. There was no sitting around for her. I think she surpassed most men. That they tried to say she died because she had invaded their territory told how much they envied her grit. Almost all the heroines in my stories have this same kind of strength and courage. Thanks for coming.

  11. Margaret was amazing woman. I would not have the strength he had. To bury children and grandchildren, is unthinkable. It makes me often wonder, why isn’t there a name for it? We have, orphan , widow and widower. She was a widow several times. But, yet she picks up and goes on. Amazing.

    • Nancy, she certainly was well acquainted with loss. It’s really sad, yet she didn’t wallow in her grief. Like you said, she picked up and went on. What a role model. Life was sure hard back then and it wasn’t for sissies. For her to have escaped death so many times tells me God had a purpose for her. Thanks for coming.

  12. She was definitely a strong woman! I hope I would be like that if faced with the things she was! Actually, I know in some ways I’m very much like that, considering things I’ve been through! With God, I can get through anything!

    • Trudy, I’ve often heard preachers say that God won’t put more than we can bear on us. But he sure loaded Margaret down. She must’ve had a lot of faith. One thing for sure she had grit and courage. I guess this was her lot in life and God had a purpose for her. I’m so happy you see in her the things I do.

  13. Margaret was a brave and determined lady. It seems impossible the things she was able to accomplish with all the sadness and sorrow from losing so many family members. I admire her very much.

    • I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Connie. Margaret had the most courage, grit, and strength of any woman of her time. I dare say few of us could do what she did. She saw the cattle drive as a last-ditch effort to save her ranch and I’m sure she was very ill toward the end. Meningitis symptoms are high fever, headache, stiff neck. She must’ve already have suffered through those last several days. Thanks so much for coming.

  15. She was an awesome lady. I have always thought a women could do anything she wants to do if you have the determination to do so. I am not sure I would have tried it but you never know.

    • Quilt Lady, I believe you could’ve done it. You’re right. Women can do whatever they have to when it comes to survival. And we have. We’re not meant to walk behind a man. Blessings and love.

  16. Wow. No. I’d like to say I would have attempted to do what she did but I doubt it and especially not with an eight year old along too although I imagine the children were competent and helpful. Pure respect for her and the life she led.

    • Louise, I fell in love with history way back in my childhood and I love writing stories around some incident that happened. I agree, Margaret is a larger than life heroine and one that I create each female character from. Thanks so much for coming.

  21. Hi Linda! I enjoyed this story so much! All I can say about Margaret Boreland is she was one strong, tough lady! I can’t imagine being widowed three times, one was hard enough for me, plus losing that many children, grandchildren! Thank you for sharing your research with us.
    I already have Cade’s Quest in ebook so don’t put me in the drawing. (I bought it the day it came out!)
    I really enjoyed Cade’s story! It’s a great heartwarming story!

    • Hey, Ruth! This is wonderful. Thank you for coming to read my post about Margaret. I agree with everything you said. I really, really admire her courage. Oh, I’m tickled to death that you enjoyed Cade’s story! I’m nearing the end of Book 2 which will be Summer’s turn. It’s always a pleasure to have you.

  22. Margaret Borland was a very tough woman, who did what she had to do in order to provide for her family. It’s really sad that she passed away before seeing the fruits of her labor. And it must have been hard on her young nephew to take over for her. I’m curious what happened to her surviving children after her passing, especially the youngest. As a single mom myself, that’s my biggest worry: what will happen to my kids if something happens to me. I’ve supported my kids on my own for 9 years and managed to pay off my house and keep all of the bills paid, so if a cattle drive had been my best option to keep my family fed, I would have saddled up and done it.

    • Kim, I think Margaret’s character lives inside you! Your life hasn’t been any picnic. Wow! You’re equally as determined. When my children were little I worried a lot about what would happen to my three if I should die. Thankfully, I shouldn’t have given it a thought. Everything turned out well. But, in your case, I believe God would provide an answer. To answer your question about Margaret’s children….her older brother took them in and raised them as well as kept her ranch going. Thanks for coming.

  23. I had heard her story several times. One was likely when you may have posted when you were writing The Heart Of A Texas Cowboy. For some reason, I don’t remember reading that she died at the end of the trail drive. It is such a shame that she never was able to receive the recognition for her feat while she lived. She went through so much, she deserved to be able to enjoy the rewards of her accomplishment. She ws one tough lady.
    Would I have done it. In my youth, I very likely would have. Today, I doubt I would last one day on a horse and maybe only a few days in a wagon. Interesting how age and physical issues change one’s perspective and abilities.
    Best wishes for the success of Cade’s Quest and your future books.

    • Patricia, yes, you probably saw my first post. It was truly sad that she passed on without seeing the culmination of her enormous efforts. I imagine she was in great pain the week of her life. Meningitis would mean she had a high fever, bad headaches, unable to eat and drink among other things. Plus, she had to stay on a horse. I totally agree about age and perspective. Love you, lady.

  24. Hi Linda,
    This is just such an amazing story. I would love to have met her–can you even imagine? She was so, so tough, and overcame so much in her life. It had to be really hard for her. I don’t think I could have done what she did, not for one minute! So interesting–I’m glad you posted this! Good luck with Cade’s Quest–it looks like a real winner! XOXO

    • Cheryl, everyone was really interested in her so how could I not blog about her? She escaped death over and over and buried so many of her family. Her grief would’ve been unimaginable. I doubt few of us could’ve tackled the cattle drive. Thanks for the best wishes for my newest. Love you, Filly Sister!

  25. Wow, what a brave lady she was, she persevered , never gave up especially after everything she lost, especially all her loved ones that she lost. What a beautiful person she was. I am not entering this ebook giveaway as I dont read ebooks because I am not tech savvy, plus I already have this book Thank you Linda for my print copy of Cade’s Quest, I really enjoyed this book, I highly recommend it to anybody who loves a good western story, I am looking forward to the next one! The book cover is even more Beautiful in person!

    • Alicia, thank you so much for liking Cade and Rain. And the cover! I knew it was special the minute I saw it. It was designed by Charlene Raddon. She’s so talented. Also, thank you for reading about Margaret.

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