I'd be a buffalo hunter. Probably operating out of Dodge City and Denver as long as the southern herd lasted. Then moving north to operate out of Ogallala and Miles City when the hunting moved on to the northern herd.

That might offend some folks who look at the buffalo slaughter (and truly it was a slaughter) from today's perspective. But in that era you would think differently and your outlook and values would be shaped by the events of your time.

"I'm often asked now what my feeling is toward myself that I helped wipe out a noble American animal by being a sort of juvenile delinquent with a high-power rifle. I always am frank in answering. I always say I am neither proud nor ashamed. At the time it seemed a proper thing to do. Looked at from a distance, however, I'm not so sure. The slaughter was perhaps a shameless, needless thing. But it was also an inevitable thing, an historical necessity." - Former buffalo hunter Frank Mayer (died at 104, 1850-1954)

Explorer

A nation of sheep breeds a government of wolves

******************************************

May we live to learn well, and learn to live well.
May you live as long as you want,
and never want as long as you live.

Wow, just after the Civil War, huh? ... Well, I reckon I'd head out for the Oregon/Idaho country for cattle and Nez Pierce horse ranching.
Also I'd do a bit of mining. I believe I'd have enough land to "have it all" as I'd be like Ben Cartwright. But, as I remember, he had a devil of a time holding onto it. I reckon it is a safe assumption that if'n you have something of worth, somebody will try and get it from you. By hook or crook. So I'd keep my guns oiled and loaded.

Tennessee Dave

I'd be a buffalo hunter. Probably operating out of Dodge City and Denver as long as the southern herd lasted. Then moving north to operate out of Ogallala and Miles City when the hunting moved on to the northern herd.

That might offend some folks who look at the buffalo slaughter (and truly it was a slaughter) from today's perspective. But in that era you would think differently and your outlook and values would be shaped by the events of your time.

"I'm often asked now what my feeling is toward myself that I helped wipe out a noble American animal by being a sort of juvenile delinquent with a high-power rifle. I always am frank in answering. I always say I am neither proud nor ashamed. At the time it seemed a proper thing to do. Looked at from a distance, however, I'm not so sure. The slaughter was perhaps a shameless, needless thing. But it was also an inevitable thing, an historical necessity." - Former buffalo hunter Frank Mayer (died at 104, 1850-1954)