Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1936-06-13
By GLENDOLIN DAMON WAGNER

Nv GLENDOLIN DAMON WAGNER
II Is a fact that the majority Of
Montana's early-day cowmen came
from Texas. When I asked Dick
Chandler why this was true he said:
1--WE heard q lot those days about the
rich range and cool climate in Mon
tana. we were offered good wages and
plenty of thrills following the iran.
Some of us boys Joined outfits hired
TO trail cattle up north and liked Nom
tana so well we just naturally stayed.
I had malaria fever In Texas and came
here for a change Of climate"
That was in 89. For 10 years MI
Chandler worked for the Ryan Broth
ers Cattle Co. There we're lots Of Lear,
buffalo, white and black tailed neer
on the RI ranch, he stated. Often, IN
early morning, he shot deer from
the door of his cabin and had deer
steak for breakfast. He saw many VII
lagos spring up on Montana plains,
struggle through the difficult stages
OF infancy, and develop into important
towns. He remembers Billings when IL
was an insignificant community OF
shacks, uncertain as to its future ex-
istence, with Dark Horse Livery barn
and Boykin House the two outstanding
business establishments. In 81 he pur-
chased cattle at Laurel and drove
them across the prairie and along what
1t now First avenue, one Of Billings
busiest thoroughfares. In 81 Mr.. Cham
dler bought his own ranch, the Three
Crown, which he built up by .aboriouS
efforts, into one of Montana's import |
ant cattle industry centers.
Listening to Mr.. Chambers story OF
the early-day struggles we are con-
WINGED that there were many ups ana
downs, waves Of prosperity, low Gibbs
that carried cattle men to the brink OF
failure hard winters, summers OF poor
range, and plenty Of hard work. Dick
Chandler loaded and shipped to mar
ket from Custer. To get to Custer, he |
had to swim the river with his cattle.
1t is his theory that hard work brings
success. Too many young 1ellowss THESE
DAYS, he says. look for an easy road to |
prosperity, but If there is such road,
Dick Chandler never discovered II. The |
day OF the pioneer cattleman wasn't
six or eight-holM day It began at sum
up and stretched on until 10 or IL
o'clock, and Mr.. Chandler is q living |
testimonial that hard work and long
hours don't hurt. BE Is strong, vigor-
@as and. although his hair Is white. his
eyes are as bright as the eyes OF youth: |
They twinkled as he told stories OF
the long ago. There were usually nom
20 to 35 men In an outfit, he says, with
q wagon boss over each outfit. But lar
more important than the cowmen or
to be a good one. There were memor-
able meals out on the quiet plains OF
fresh bread, coffee, hot beans and the
best of steer beef selected from the
herd. No fancy stuff, but all they could
eat of appetizing, nourishing food.
The early day round-ups, judging by
the twinkle in Dick Chambers eyes
as he reminisced were exciting events.
Then, when they worked hero, several
rfnY
punched, with a herd boss over them
all, directing the work. Out en- the
vast, unfenced plains, during winter
grazing, perhaps a dozen different
brands got mixed. 1t was the business
of the cowboys to cut out each mans
brand, rope and brand calves and Sc
lect those intended for shipping. Those
were the times when man and horse
must work together, In intelligent har-
mony Each cowboy was allotted string
of from eight to 10 horses and changed
mounts frequently for no one horse
could stand the strain of hard riding
very long at a time. And no man ever
thought of riding q horse from the
string Of another.
Cowmen usually loved their horses,
Dick Chandler tells us. Spending so
much time alone together on the
plains night and day, Just man and
his horse, the two were held close by |
q bond of understanding that felt no
need of words But out of the ring
there was always a favorite, q top
horse" After almost SO years Dick |
Chandler still remembers "Old Dan"
That horse, he insists, possessed an in
telligence that was more than human.
Out of a herd of 5000 cattle Old Dan
would unfailingly pick out the particu-
lar COW you wanted to separate from the
rest and work patiently and persistent
ly until 1t was out Of the bunch. But I
Old Dan had one fault that kept him
from absolute perfection. He achieved
a reputation Of being the greatest
bucker of all the wild horses of the
plains. It took a mighty good rider to
stick in the saddle at times, when
Dams youthful high spirits got the
best of his common sense Eventually