I am glad the info about Charlie Goodnight and the "chuck wagon" was posted...I was going to add it if not...He found out that cowboys worked better, stayed with the cattle drive with more loyalty and were more healthy and happy if you fed them! these days there are many cook-off contests named after Charlie and his wagon,
http://wildwesthistory.blogspot.com/2012/08/charles-goodnight-and-his-famous.html
http://www.cowboy.org/Visit/Chuck-Wagon-History