How did cattle get from abilene or dodge city in Chicago?

The most common method of transporting cattle from Abilene or Dodge City to Chicago in the late 19th century was by walking them along cattle trails. These trails, such as the Chisholm Trail, were hundreds of miles long and covered rough terrain. The cattle drives often lasted several months and required experienced cowboys and well-trained horses to manage the herds and protect them from predators.

Once the cattle reached a railhead, such as Chicago, they would be loaded onto railroad cars and transported to their final destination. This method of transportation was more efficient and faster than walking the cattle the entire distance, and it also reduced the risk of losing or injuring animals during the journey.

In addition to cattle drives and rail transport, some cattle were also transported by steamboat up the Missouri River to markets in Kansas City or Omaha, where they could be loaded onto trains for the rest of the journey to Chicago.