Section 4: Wall Bio Hector Bazy

Hector “Heck” Bazy (1851-1924)

In telling of the cowboy scenes and incidents, I do so, with modesty. No one, and a man who has lived in the midst of the cowman’s life for years would have the right to do otherwise.

Hector Bazy, Introduction, 1910.

Hector Bazy recorded the story of his life in a 30-page manuscript in 1910. Bazy began working as a cowboy after Emancipation when he was fourteen years old. He describes breaking and training horses, working cattle on ranches, and driving thousands of heads of cattle to Kansas. His manuscript offers a

glimpse at the danger, excitement, and camaraderie of cowboy life.

Throughout his manuscript, Bazy states that white and Black cowboys “made no color distinction when out on the plains.” Yet, he highlights moments of isolation, discrimination and frustration. Bazy recalls attempting to sell horses to a potential buyer that did not believe the horses were his and thought them

stolen. The buyer had Bazy arrested. It was only due to Bazy’s honest reputation that prominent cattlemen convinced the buyer of the error.

There is an exhibit case with artifact on display. The following is the exhibit label. 

OBJECT LABEL: chaps

Chaps, early 1900s

Miles City Saddlery Company

Miles City, Montana

Hector Bazy was photographed wearing his white angora chaps. The chaps, called “woolies,” not only protected a rider’s legs but provided warmth in the winter and through cold desert nights. These woolies are made from the hair of an angora goat, but similar chaps were made from bison, bear, and jaguar.

Witte Museum, The Donald and Louise Yena Collection

Panel images captions follow:

Caption: Hector Bazy’s manuscript includes eleven images documenting his life as a cowboy, 1890-1910.

Creditline: Courtesy Anacostia Community Museum Archives,

Smithsonian Institution.

Caption: Hector Bazy cooking in camp over an open flame, 1890-1910.

Creditline: Courtesy Anacostia Community Museum Archives,

Smithsonian Institution.

Caption: Hector Bazy herds horses and foals on horseback, 1890-1910.

Creditline: Courtesy Anacostia Community Museum Archives,

Smithsonian Institution.