davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14
The Cowboy AS He observation-disclosures
of a Western Type That Has Passed

I'm glad to see in the last few
years that them that know the
business have been writin' about
cowpunchers," remarked an old
time cowpuncher to me the other
day. 1T begin to look like they'd
be wiped out without a history. Up
to a few years ago there's mighty
little known about COWS and COW
people. 1t was sure amusin' to
read some of them old stories about
cow punchin'. You'd think a pun
cher growed horns n was haired
over.
1T put me in mind of the eastern
girl that asks her mother: Ma
says she, do cowboys eat grass?'
No, dear says the old lady,
they're part human n 1 don't
know but the old gal had 'em sized
up right"
If they are human, they're a sep
arate species. I'm talkin' about the
old-time ones, before the country's
strung with wire n nesters had
grabbed all the water, n a cowpun-
cher's home was big. 1t wasn't
where he took his hat off, but
where he spread his blankets. He
ranged from Mexico to the Big
Bow river of the north, n from
where the trees get scarce in the
east to the old Pacific. He don't
need no iron boss, but covers his
country on one that eats grass N
wore hair. All the tools he needed
was saddle, bride, quirt, hacka-
more n rawhide RATA or seagrass
that covered his boss.
A Cowboys Outfit
The puncher himself was rugged,
'tartin' at the top, with a good hat
not one of the floppy kind you
zee in pictures, with the rim turned
Up in front. The topcover he wears
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14

monte, SO they can't tell what kind
of a rig they'll be ridin' the next
day. I've e many a good rig
lost over a blanket. 1t depends
how lucky the cards fall what kind
of a rig a mans ridin'.
I'm talkin' about old times, when
cowmen were in their glory. They
lived different, talked different n
had different ways. No matter
where you met him, or how he's
rugged, if you'd watch him close,
he'd do something that would tip
his hand. | had a little experience
back in '83 that'll show what I'm
gettin' at.
I was winterin' in Cheyenne. One
night a stranger stakes me to buck
the bank. I got off lucky n cash
in fifteen hundred dollars. OF
course I cut the money in two with
my friend, but it leaves me with
the biggest roll I ever packed. All
this wealth makes Cheyenne look
small, n | begin longin' for bigger
camps, so I drift for Chicago. The
minute | hit the berg, | shed my.
COW garments N get into white
mans harness. A hard hat, boiled
shirt, laced shoes-all the gearin'
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14
By Charles M. Russell

California pants, light buckskin in
color, with large, brown plaid,
sometimes foxed, or what you'd
call reinforced with buck or antel-
ope skin. Over these came his
chaparejos or leggin's. His feet
were covered with good high-heel-
ed boots, finished off with steel
spurs of Spanish pattern. His
weapon, generally a forty-five Colt
six-gun, which is packed in a belt,
swingin' a little below his right
hip. Sometimes a Winchester in
a scabbard, slung to his saddle I'M
der his stirrup leather, either right
or left side, but generally left; the
stock forward, lock down., as his
rope hangs at his saddle-fork on
the right.
BY all I can find out from old,
gray headed punchers, the COW
business started in California, N
the Spaniards were the first to
burn marks on their cattle n bosses
n use the rope. Then men from
the states drifted west to Texas,
pickin' up the brandin' iron n lass
rope, n the business spread north,
east n west, till the spotted long
horns walked in every trail mark
ed out by their brown cousins-the
buffalo.
Texas n California, bein' the
startin' places, made two species of
cowpunchers those west of the
rockies rangin' north, using cen
terfire or single-cinch saddles, with
high fork n cantle; packed a sixty
or sixty-five foot rawhide rope, n
swung a big loop. These cow peo-
pie were generally strong on pretty,
usin' plenty of boss jewelry, silver
mounted spurs, bits n conchas in
stead of a quirt, used a romal, or
quirt braided to the end of the
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14
Will Remain Military Fort

That Fort Missoula must be re-
served for occupation by troops of
the regular army and that nothing
must be allowed to interfere with this
program is the gist of a communi-
cation received by the chamber of
commerce at Missoula.
The chamber had taken up the
proposition of establishing a landing
base for airplanes on the local mill
tary reservation. Plans to make it
the site of a hospital for reconstruc-
ton work among disabled soldiers
also have been voted down.
Fort Missoula is n of the most
modern army posts in the northwest.
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14

Governor Joseph M. Dixon last
week appointed Daniel S. Williams,
superintendent of schools at Glas-
gov, as a member of the state text
book commission, succeeding Miss E.
NJ. Shearer of Butte, who resigned.
Superintendent Williams has been a
resident of Glasgow for a number OF
years and is prominent in the edu-
cational circles of the state.
The commission meets every two
years to choose the books to be used
in the common schools.
Members of the board, in addition
to superintendent Williams, are:
Miss May Trumper, state superinten-
dent of public instruction; G. V. Full
ton, Butte; r. j. Cunningham, Boze-
man; w. X. Dwyer, Anaconda; Ward
H. Nye, Billings; F. P. Baird, Billings
Polytechnic institute.
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14

boards, plunged down a 25-foot en-
bankment and into and through the
side of one of the fair grounds barns.
Liston was instantly killed, the
broken ends Of boards of the barn
probably taking his life. Reynolds
injuries are of a serious nature and
attending physicians believe he has
small chance for recovery. He is at
St. Patrick's hospital.
Liston was employed at Missoula
garages and was considered an ex-
pert mechanic. He was we'll known
locally and more a good reputation.
Reynolds is an old timer in Mon
tana and has been in the motor rae
ing game for years. He was former
ly active in politics in Silver Bow
county, serving as chief of police OF
Butte under the Davey administra-
ton, having managed the campaign
which resulted in Davy's election to
thai office. He also served as deputy
sheriff of Silver Bow county, and
was a candidate for delegate TO the
democratic national convention in
the primaries last fall. He is We'll
known and has many friends all owe
the state, his management of the
Boulder Hot Springs hotel having
given him a wide acquaintance.
Before going in for motor racing
he. had achieved distinction as an
athlete. He won the amateur ice
skating championship of the state
when he was SO years old, and on
his birthday of the same year, a
from Butte to Gregson Springs, Il
distance of 20 miles, in record time.
He is past so years of age, but is in
perfect condition physically, and be-
cause of this fact has a fighting
chance for his life.
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14

James M. Reynolds of Boulder
Hot Springs, Montana's dare devil
auto racer, is at the point of death
in a Missoula hospital, as the result
of a collision in the motor races held
at that place recently.
Burnell Liston, who was riding
with Reynolds when the smashup
occurred. was instantly killed.
Reynolds, with Liston as mechani-
clan, had just crossed the wire, a
winner in the 25-mile free-for-alI,
and in completing the lap the front
wheel of his car, a Hudson six, caught
the ear wheel of the car driven by
Wilbur Ziesing, throwing the wheel
from the latter's car and turning his
car into the fence. The powerful
machine tore through the wooden
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14

wasn't SO much for pretty his sad
die was low horn, rimfire or dou-
ble-cinch; sometimes "macheer.'
Their rope was seldom over forty
feet, for being a good deal in a
brush country, they we're forced to
swing a small loop. These men
%generally tied, instead of taking
their dallie-welts, or wrapping
their rope around the saddle horn.
Their chaparejos were made of
heavy bullhide, to protect the leg
from brush n thorns, with hog
snout tapederos.
Cowpunchers we're mighty parti-
cular about their rig, n in all the
camps you'd find a fashion leader.
From a cowpuncher's idea, these
fellers was sure good to look at,
n I tell you right now, there amt
no prettier sight for my eyes than
one of those good-lookin', long
backed cowpunchers, sittin' up on
a highforked, full-stamped Califor-
MIA saddle, with a live boss between
his legs.
OF course a good many Of
these fancy men were more orna-
mental than useful, but one sof the
best cow-hands | ever knew be-
1onged to this class. Down on the
Gray Bull, he went under the name
of Mason, but most p~unchers called
him Pretty Shadow. This sounds
like an Injun name, but it amt. 1t
comes from a habit some punchers
has of ridin' along, lookin' at their
shadows. Lookin' glasses are scarce
in COW outfits, so the only chance
for these pretty boys to admire
themselves is on bright, sunshiny
days. Mason's one of these kind
that doesn't get much pleasure out
Of life in cloudy weather. His hat
was the best; his boots was made
order, with extra long heels. He
rode a %centerfire, full-stamped sad
lie, with twenty-eight-inch tapa-
1eros bearskin ancaroes, OF saddle
pockets; his c~haparejos were of
he same skin. He packed a sixty
rawhide. His spurs n
lit were silver inlaid, the last bein'
Spanish spade. But the gaudiest
,art of his regalia was his gun. It's
forty-five Colts, silverplated N
.hased with gold. Her handle is
earl, with a bulls head carved on.
A Fancy Cow Dog
When the sun hits Mason with
this silver on, he blazes up like
ONE big piece of jewelry. You
ould see him for miles when he's
idin' high country. Barrin' Mexi-
ans, he's the fanciest COW dog /
yer see, n don't ever think he
ont savvy the cow. He knows
hat she says to her calf. Of
purse there wasn't many of his
ripe. All punchers liked good
gs, but palmer n as most punch
s re fond of gamblin' n spend
leir spare time at stud poker or
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14

drawn over the face to the eyes,
hold-up fashion, to protect the nose
n throat from dust. In old times, a
leather blab or mask was used the
same. Coat, vest n shirt suitin'
his own taste. Maybe he'd wear
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14

known to civilized man. N when
II pull on all this rig, I sure look
human, that is, | think so. But
them shorthorns know me, n by
the way they trim that roll, it looks
like somebody's pinned a card on
my back with the words, easy"
in big letters. | amt been there a
week till my roll don't need no
string around it, n / start thinkin'
about home. One evenin' I throw
in with the friendliest Teller I ever
met. 1t was at the bar of the hotel
where I'm camped. l don't just
remember how we got acquainted
but after about fifteen drinks, we
start holdin' hands n seem who
could buy the most and fastest. /
remember him tellin' the b~arslave
not to take my money, cause I'm
his friend. Afterwards, I find out
the reason for this good-hearted-
ness he wants it all n hates to see
me waste it. Finally, he starts to
show me the town n says it won't
cost me a cent. Maybe he did, but
| was unconscious, n wasn't in
shape to remember. Next day,
when | come to, my hairs sore n
I didn't know the day of the week,
month or what year it was.
The first thing I do when | open
my eyes is to look at the winders.
There's no bars on EN-, n | feel
easier. I'm in a small room with
two hunks. The n opposite me
holds a Teller that's smokin' a Gig
arctic n sizin' me up between
whiffs while I'm dressin'. / go
through myself, but I'm too late.
Somebody beat me to it. I'm lacin'
my shoes n thinkin' hard, when
the stranger speaks. "Neighbor,
a long way from your
range"
"You call the turn" says l, but
how did you read my iron?"
II didn't see a burn on you,"
says he, n from looks, you'll go
a slick-ear. It's your ways,
while I'm layin' here, watchin' you
get into your garments. Now hui
mans dress up n punchers dress
down. When you raised, the first
hing you put on is your hat. An
other thing that shows you up is
you don't shed your shirt when
you bed down. So next ome
your vest n coat, keepin' your
lindquarters covered till you slide
nto your pants, n now your lacin'
your shoes. I notice you done all
If it without quittin' the blankets,
ike the grounds cold. | don't
lnow what state or territory you
lail from, but you've smelt sage
brush n drank alkali. ! heap saw
W you. You've slept a whole lot
With nothin' but sky over your
read, n there's times when that old
-oof leaks, but jrTgin' from APP
,earances, you wouldn't mind a
title open air right now"
This feller's my kind, n he
takes me with enough to get back
the COW country.
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14

holds its shape n was made to pro-
tect his face from the weather /;
maybe to hold it on, he wore a
buckskin string under the chin or
back of the head. Round his neck
a big silk handkerchief, tied loose
n in the drag of a trail herd it was
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14

selves %buccaroos, coming from the
Spanish word, "Vacquero."
Came From Texas
The cowpuncher east of the
Rockies originated in Texas and
ranged north to the Big Bow. He
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14

reins. Their saddles were full
stamped, with from twenty-four to
twenty-eight ~eagle-bill tapaderos.
Their chaparejos were made of
fur or hair, either bear, angora boat
or hair sealskin. These fellows
we're sure fancy, n called them
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-14
JAMES REYNOLDS
BADLY INJURED
HAD JUST WON FREE-FOR-ALL
MOTOR RACE WHEN HE RAN
INTO ANOTHER CAR

Burnen Liston, His Mechanician, Is
Instantly Killed; Reynolds Sc
riously Injured But Has a Chance
to Recover; Has Been in Racing
Game for Years.
American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1921-12-03
SCHOOL BOARD IN
SPECIAL SESSION

The Alpine district school board
met In special session Tuesday al the
offices here. All memberp were pre
sent with the exception of Mr. Wal
ten OF the Lincoln district.
The main topic of discussion WINS
the program for American Education
al week. II was decided that patriot
ic services will be given a, all the
schools OF the district. special lee.
turers will be secured an6 ali school
patrons will be invited TO come out
and pay homage to our American
language, flag and nation.
Another proposition discussed was
the probability OF starting winter
semester for high school students
who have not attended school thus
far this year. Whether or not this
viii be done will be decided at the
ierular meeting OF the board next
Tuesday.
American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1921-12-03
DEFECTIVE TEETH
CAUSE OF
MALNUTRITION

Defective teeth IN the school child
rem OF Utah are the chief cause of NAL
nutrition or under-nourishmcnt and I'm
some districts OF the state the per-
ccntage of children with bad teeth
runs n trifle over 80 per cent" de-
clcred DR.. Heber J. Sears. head Of the
department OF hygiene and preyenta-
tive medicine mt the University Of
Utah.
II takes the average child with de-
fective teeth six months longer 10
complete HIS eight grades in school
thnn II does the normal child. Diseas-
ed tonsils or adenoids also retard the
child in his studies at school accord
ing to statistics at the University.
Any church. society or any other or
Goniatlon OF the state may receive the
benefit OF health lectures sent out by
he University without cost
DR.. Sears is now devoting practic-
ally all his time to lecturing on vital
problems Of health and social problems
connected with health Already this
fall he has reached nearly 10000 peo-
pie. Tweuty-four other lecturers,
mostly physicians, are also available
for these extension health lectures
furnished by tho University.
American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1921-12-03
CITY COUNCIL IN
REGULAR SESSION

The regular monthly session OF the
city council was held in the city hall
last Saturday night The Mayor and
all councilmen were present with the
exception of councilman S W. Chip
man who was excused.
Minutes of the special sessions of
November 10 and II, at which meet
ings the election returns were canvas
ed, closing regulations on confection-
aries and cafes were made and a de-
cision to remedy the flood water on
Main Street was reached, were read
and approved.
Thos. Shafter met with the coun-
ell and petitioned the council TO modi-
fy the closing regulations from IL p.
NJ. Sunday night to A. NJ and after
considerable discussion, the closing
hour was set at ~ midnight on Sun
day and at A. NJ. on dance nights
and II p. NJ. on all other nights.
N'' W. DECK HSkeu Tor rebate on
his sidewalk tax as he claimed that
the lot had been enormously assessed.
After investigation the sum OF $3.50
was rebated to Mr.. Beck.
The reports Of the city officers were
read and approved and accompanying
bills allowed. ~
A petition was presented asking
that n water transfer OF Primary
lots and 7-12 Primary acres on. the
Able and Fort bitches be made from
!. ID. Boley administrator to Jack Dem
psey. On motion the matter was left
with the recorder end irrigation bo rrd
City bills were then allowed and the
meeting adjourned.
American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1921-12-03
SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR
WARD CONFERENCE

Ward conference will be held In
tile American Fork First. Second and
Third Wards next Sunday, One men,
her OF the Stake Presidency will be
present at all the meetings. Pres
Jas. H. Clark will be at the first
ward; Pres A. J Evans will be at
the second ward and Pres. s. i. Chip
man at the Ord ward. With them will
be members OF the high council as fol
lows: Eastward, A. n Lowe and
BENJAMIN Walker OF Linden; second
ward, r. d. Wadley OF Manila and
Thos. Carlisle OF Alpine; Third ward,
j. o. Bullock OF Pleasant Grove and
Timothy Mccarthy of this city.
Special programs have been pre-
pnred at each ward. The presidents
and seventies OF each organization will
BE expected to be present with their
records comri,le. The bishops OF
each ward are DESTROYS that the meet
ing houses be filled 20 capacity. p
American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1921-12-03
DRIVE FOR BOOKS
STARTED THURSDAY

The drive to secure more books
for the city library started Thursday
with much enthusiasm. Boy Scouts
from all over the town are engaged
IN the drive and are very energetic
in the work Of canyassing for books.
The drive will last Is days and the
troop OF Scouts collecting the larg-
est number of books will be reward
cd with suitable prize. va
The people Of the town are urged
to give freely OF their books Many
looks in homes are read but once,
while at the library, the books are
worn out from constant usage. The
greater the number of books receiv-
ed, the greater the value Of the H.
brary to the public.
American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1921-12-03
WORK PROGRESSING
ON TRAIL To- NEW CAVE

Work is progressing on the new
trail TO Timpanogos cave in Ameri-
can Fork canyon The government
has force OF ten men at work who
are progressing at the rate OF 300 fee,
per day. About a month more will
sec the trail complete.
The promotion committees OF the
Il rec local Commercial clubs have a
force Of men placing the poles and
wires for the electric lights which
VIII light tha~ cave. About ten days
will see this line complete to the
mouth OF the cave, which, when tho
interior Is lighted. will be one Of the
biggest scenic attractions OF the state.
The trail is being built from both
ends. a ledge Of granite rock has been
blasted away from the mouth OF the
cave. One blast. which toppled over
the face Of the cliff, was heard for
miles around; II Is stated that q
whole armtbisefs dynamite was used
IN this blast.
II the weather permits. both the
trail and the lights VIII be complete
ed this year, ready for the opening
season next summer
American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1921-12-03
american Fork Department
1HREE DAY CHAU-
TAUQUA CONSIDERED

The Commercial Club discussed the
feasibility of having three day Chau-
iauQua in American Fork this year,
:, special meeting held Friday in
,he Club rooms.
Mr.. Charles II Orr. representing
me Radcliffe Chautadqua Company
.,nlained the proposition presented
~ his company. The Chautauqua
would last three days, he stated, and
would have at least two special at
,roctions in the afternoon perform
.pces and two in the evening per-
iormances, the entire program includ-
ing fourteen special attractions.
The purchase price OF this Chautau-
oua Is $3.50; all money over this a
mount taken in will be turned into the
Commercial Club Treasury.
The members present were very fav-
orable to the proposition. however II
was ueClueu tudt no usCibioH WOulu
be made until after the officers of
the Club are elected in January. Mr..
Orr left contracts and the proposition
will be discussed and considered a.
gain before February 10th. 1922. which
n the last day In which to sign the
contract
There has been some talk OF a local
three-day Chautauqua composed of the
towns. American Fork, Pleasant
Grove and Lehi. Each town would
prepare first class program and the
number would be exchanged between
the towns giving each town Chau-
tauqua Of It's own.
The Promotion Committee reported
that they had conferred with Mayor
Walker relative to calling mass meet
ing Of the citizens to ascertain their
sentiments regarding the location Of
the new gymnasium to be built. They
reported that II had been decided that
. meeting would not be necessary and
would not be called. ~. -
American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1921-12-03
HONEY PHILOSOPHY
FOR 1921

What good Is there in any plan that
breaks down under the very condi-
tons II was called up to face? In
every phase OF life In this living world
plans are adipted only for the pur-
pose OF making the conditions OF the
matter Mt hand better. When they
don't they are swiftly thrown into the
discard. Ienine. in admitting he ut
ter failure OF Communism in Rus
sin. blames the failure on the condi-
tons II had to face. Out Of his own
mouth, therefore. he admitted that the
plan called communism IL no good
therefore. an useless, dead one Sho.
vel I'm the dirt, men!
American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1921-12-03
LIGHTHOUSE NAN"
TO BE PRESENTED
DECEMBER 9Th.

The 4th ward Dramatic Co. will
present the play entitled Lighthouse
\sh" in tbs ward chapel Thursday
N'"'wt"r Sth. There will be a matt
reoin the afternoon for the children
End the main performance in the eve
i'g at s o'clock.
The play ia comedy-drama in 3
ects and comes we'll recommended.
The cast OF characters includes some
60 the best dramatic talent OF the
ward and an entertaining evening is
promised. The proceeds will he used
TO help the needy of the ward.
American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1921-12-03
SHOW TO BE RE. szs -ss45l
PEATED TONIGHT

"The Arrival OF Kitty" as presented
by the First ward NJ, I A Thursday
n'pht was. tremendous success. The
house could not accommodate the
large crowd which come ont and
many had to be turned away. Because
81 this the play win be repeated to-
grin tonight, Saturday. Dec. 3.
{, The play was well presented and
was clever comedy. Linford Warner
Playing the rols Of Bobbie Baxter and
flso impersonating female character
was the hit OF the evening, Every
other part was we'll taken and the
play brought forth continuous bursts
OF laughter from the audience.
American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1921-12-03
SUNDAY NIGHT MEETING

The Sunday night meeting in the
Tabernacle will be given under IN,
direction of he Mutuals OF the town.
The third ward will have charge of
30 rro"rnn' and n good speaker and
some splendid musical numbers are
assured. The public is cordially in
vit'd The meeting lest Sunday night
was given by the Religion classes
and was very well presented and at
tended