Pickett, Bill (1870?-1932), was a famous African American cowboy. As a working cowboy, he showed great skill at such jobs as branding, bronco riding, herding, and roping. He went on to become a star rodeo performer.
Pickett was born in Jenks-Branch, near Austin, Texas, most likely on Dec. 5, 1870 or 1871. His full name was Willie M. Pickett. By age 10, he had developed a unique style of bulldogging (now often called steer wrestling). By 16, he was performing professionally. His bulldogging style involved leaping from his horse, grasping the steer by the horns, twisting its head upward, and biting its upper lip–forcing the animal on its side. This so-called “bite-em” style made Pickett the star of the 101 Ranch Wild West Show, in which he performed off-and-on from 1907 to the mid-1920’s. He was billed as the “Dusky Demon.” He performed before royalty in England.
Despite his stardom, Pickett was kept out of many rodeos by racial discrimination. He worked as a cowboy on ranches throughout his rodeo career. Pickett suffered severe injuries in March 1932 after being kicked in the head by a horse he was trying to break (tame). He died on April 2, 1932.
