Whether it be ancestors of the past harvesting native vegetation or present-day farmers bailing hay for their cattle to graze in the winter, the Chickasaw people have long appreciated and utilized agriculture for self-sufficiency.
Montford Johnson is a prime example. His life story inspired the feature film, “Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher,” produced by Chickasaw Nation Productions. The 2021 movie is currently available for streaming on Peacock.
“Filmmaking has proven to be extremely effective in reclaiming our narrative sovereignty,” Chickasaw Nation Director of Creative Development Jeannie Barbour said. “We know the films we produce increase the visibility of Chickasaw people and their contribution to society.”
Born in 1843, Johnson lived during a time First American cattle production was progressing in the western plains.
Months after his birth, Johnson’s mother, Rebekah, became ill with pneumonia and died. His father left Johnson and his sister, Adelaide, with their maternal grandmother, Sallie Tarntubby, who raised them until her death in 1858.
Johnson’s time with his grandmother proved pivotal to his future. He learned valuable Chickasaw traditions and gained a greater appreciation for livestock husbandry. He attended the Chickasaw Manual Labor Academy for boys near present-day Tishomingo, Oklahoma, where he took classes in farming techniques for successful crop and cattle production.
“He learned more advanced methods in animal husbandry, the cultivation of land and agribusiness,” Barbour said.
As a young man, Montford set his sights on a cattle ranch empire. After the Civil War, many ranchers were struggling, but Johnson was among those who strategically rebuilt agriculture in the region.
He purchased branding rights from relatives, networked with neighboring cattlemen and worked diligently to corral livestock displaced during the war, offering to pay owners for branded cattle he would round up.
“Montford treated business endeavors with fairness and inclusion,” Barbour said. “Today's business leaders could probably learn a great deal using Montford’s practice of sharing ideas and seeking diverse perspectives.”
His witty thinking in a time of agricultural depression helped transition ranching from a subsistence-based model to something more organized and commercially scalable.
Johnson also implemented innovative ranching practices. While corralling wild cattle, he noted their desire for salt. He devised a trapping method using salt blocks as bait.
Salt licks would be placed in large pens with entrances cattle easily accessed but could not exit. This inventive strategy not only helped Johnson rebuild and expand his herd after the Civil War but also foreshadowed more sustainable, land-smart practices foundational to modern-day agriculture.
A true business owner to his core, Johnson capitalized on the unique structure of land ownership and community in Indian Country in the late 1800s. He amassed more than 1 million acres across current-day central Oklahoma and 35,000 cattle in his prime. His great success was in part due to his respectful, working partnerships.
Jesse Chisolm, a Scottish, Cherokee frontier trader, was one of Johnson’s associates. Chisolm encouraged Johnson to negotiate with local tribes along the Chickasaw Nation’s Western frontier, allowing him to use the underdeveloped land to range cattle.
“He knew from personal experience as a Chickasaw that cross-cultural partnerships could help create an inclusive environment where all those involved felt valued and respected,” Barbour said.
The negotiations were prosperous, proving cooperative agricultural models could succeed across cultural lines.
“By meeting with leaders of these tribes, all parties were able to establish clear goals and expectations of the land,” Barbour said.
With forward-thinking ranching strategies and collaborative, inclusive business models, Johnson became a household name for Western plains farmers.
His induction into the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 2020 demonstrated his contributions were not only regionally important but recognized nationally as influential to Western agriculture and culture.
“Montford’s legacy encompasses the passing down of ranching traditions, family values and the connection to the land,” Barbour said. “He believed in stewardship, the protection of the natural world and nurturing a sense of community among neighbors. I think these ideas are becoming more to the forefront of many of our ranchers today.”
His impact on the development of cattle ranching and land management practices in the central U.S. ripples into present-day ranching.
Learn more
Chickasaw Nation Productions was established in 2009 as part of Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby’s vision to share the rich legacy of the Chickasaw people and highlight the lasting impact of Chickasaw individuals throughout history.
In addition to streaming on Peacock, “Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher” is available on Amazon.com. The film can be purchased on DVD or Blu-ray at ChickasawPress.com or ChickasawMarket.com or by visiting the Chickasaw Market at 105 W. Main St., Ada, Oklahoma.
Learn more about the film and other productions at ChickasawFilms.com