The American Cowboy, in reality, tried to guard his own pocketbook. At $40 per month plus room and board (such as it was)for a top hand who might work 18 hours a day they didn't get rich. Prejudiced, opinionated, sometimes drunk, yes, but few had more than a few dollars at any one time.

The "cattle barons" on the other hand (including those from Europe, who might have been bilked of their money) did have a lot of money, at least until the blizzards of 1878 and 1879. And they didn't like the small rancher (more than a few of whom had been cowboys). See the Johnson County War, for example.

But those dudes in Oregon are just loudmouths who want their 15 minutes of fame and what they think are their rights. Unfortunately, very unfortunately, they are allowed to have weapons and to spew their garbage to the media.