Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on approving the concept for the placement of a life size bronze statue of African-American Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Cowboy “Bill Pickett” and his horse Spradley to be located in the arena area of the Williamson County Expo Center, Taylor, Texas.

Gerald Anderson, a relative of Bill Pickett, is working with local sculpture artist Adam Davenport of Taylor to commission the life size statue of Bill Pickett and his horse Spradley. They are asking to place the statue, once complete, at the Expo Center.
Willie M. “Bill” Pickett (December 5, 1870 – April 2, 1932) was a cowboy, rodeo, Wild West show performer and actor. In 1989, Pickett was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

He invented the technique of bulldogging, the skill of grabbing cattle by the horns and wrestling them to the ground. It was known among cattlemen that, with the help of a trained bulldog, a stray steer could be caught. Bill Pickett had seen this happen on many occasions. He also thought that if a bulldog could do this feat, so could he. Pickett practiced his stunt by riding hard, springing from his horse, and wrestling the steer to the ground. Pickett’s method for bulldogging was biting a cow on the lip and then falling backwards. He also helped cowboys with bulldogging. This method eventually lost popularity as the sport morphed into the steer wrestling that is practiced in rodeos.

Honors:

• 1971 Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
• 1989 Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame
• 1997 Texas Trail of Fame
• 2003 National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame

If this concept is approved by the Williamson County Commissioners Court, Gerald Anderson and others will work to obtain donations and funds for the creation of the statue.  If sufficient funds are obtained, the county will then need to enter into a license agreement with Gerald Anderson and/or the non-profit organization supporting this effort setting out the rights and responsibilities of the parties in relation to the statue (i.e. maintenance responsibilities, release of liability for damage by third parties, etc.).