From his childhood through his political career, Lyndon Johnson drew on his western heritage. As the grandson of Chisholm Trail cattle drover Sam Ealy Johnson, Sr., he never forgot the “can do” spirit of the cowboy way, and he grew up hearing stories of cattle drives from his grandfather. The LBJ Ranch became the best place for national and world leaders, celebrities, and respected journalists to encounter the real LBJ: a progressive Westerner in a big hat, with big dreams and big goals, under a big sky. In January 1964, Lyndon Johnson showed one of his prized Hereford bulls to guests including New York Times journalist James “Scotty” Reston.