Legal Definitions - drover's pass

A drover's pass was a complimentary ticket issued by a railroad company to an individual whose primary responsibility was to accompany and care for livestock, typically cattle, during their transportation by train. This pass allowed the drover to travel alongside the animals without charge, ensuring their welfare and attending to their needs throughout the journey.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a drover's pass:

• Imagine a large cattle ranch in Montana needing to ship hundreds of steers to a processing facility in Chicago. The ranch owner would designate an experienced cowboy, let's call him Jed, to travel with the cattle on the freight train. The railroad company, recognizing the need for an attendant, would issue Jed a drover's pass. This pass allowed Jed to ride on the train for free, enabling him to monitor the cattle's condition, provide water if necessary, and address any issues that might arise during the multi-day journey, ensuring the valuable cargo arrived safely.

• Consider a specialized breeder transporting a small herd of prize-winning dairy cows from a farm in Wisconsin to a livestock show in New York. Due to the high value and delicate nature of the animals, the breeder hires a professional livestock handler, Maria, to accompany them. The railway company, understanding the importance of expert care for such valuable cargo, would provide Maria with a drover's pass. This allowed her to travel with the cows without purchasing a separate ticket, ensuring she could closely supervise their health and comfort throughout the rail journey to the exhibition.

• In the late 19th century, as railroads expanded across the American West, a cattle baron might move thousands of head of cattle from his vast Texas ranch to distant markets in the East. He would employ several individuals, known as drovers, to oversee different sections of the train cars filled with livestock. Each of these drovers, such as Thomas, would be issued a drover's pass by the railroad. This free pass was essential for Thomas to perform his duty of riding with the cattle, checking on their well-being, and ensuring the integrity of the shipment over the extensive rail network, which was crucial for the success of the cattle drive by rail.