Black History Month: John D. Ware
By Erica Phillips
Did you know that John D. Ware, a former slave and cowboy from Texas helped establish the Calgary Stampede? Ware moved to Alberta in 1882 and regularly won prize money at rodeos.
Ware was born into a South Carolina slave family; at the end of the Civil War, he went to Texas where he became skilled with horses and the lariat. Ware left for Canada in 1882 when he was offered the chance to join a 3,000 head cattle drive.
At 6-feet tall and 230 pounds, Ware had quite the presence; in 1892, he earned the title of Steer Wrestler, the first person in Western Canada to do so and later performed publicly, winning objects.
His work with cattle and horses— especially wild ones— was legendary throughout the province and made him a much in demand horseman. His work and knowledge helped build Alberta.
“He was a pioneer member of the Calgary Stampede, where his demonstrated ability to wrestle steers became a popular highlight of the event that continues as a major competition to this day,” Fil Fraser in How the Blacks Built Canada.
John D. Ware died in 1905 in a horse riding accident.
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