Jun 1, 2020
“Reading the words of old cow punchers was a refreshing breathe of hot, gritty, prairie air.”
Published in 1959, 'The Cowboy Reader' contains a unique collection of stories and insights into Western life in the late 1800's. Today, about 150 years later, our main access to "The Cowboy" comes from Western films and Country music. Reading the words of old cow punchers was a refreshing breathe of hot, gritty, prairie air - and now I can't stop talking with a slight Nueces, Texas accent.
I picked this book up a few weeks ago, along with some others. "The Cowboy Reader" was a delight. I enjoyed every insight it had to offer, from the in depth descriptions of cowboy clothing, to the nuances of lassoing and branding a calf.
Here are some sections that stood out to me:
The Cowboy
Brief description:
Lonny Briscoe
Excerpt from a story about Lonny Briscoe - a cowboy from San Saba who painted a huge canvas with a prairie scene. A Senator seeking a favorable election offers to buy Lonny Briscoe's painting for a new government building. Lonny agrees, so he and the cowboys from his town deliver the huge painting to the capital, mighty proud that a boy of their own is an artist. When the Senator presents the painting to the crowd of officials, he gives a long, dramatic speech all about the exploits of Lonny Briscoe's grandfather. Yet the politician does not much speak about the painting. Lonny seeks an opinion from another artist - who makes it clear Lonny's strong suit is not with the brush. Lonny realizes his painting had been used for favor of his grandfather's honorable name. So in keeping with that family honor, Lonny rides his horse through the center of the canvas.
Music
Cowboy songs are scattered throughout the book:
Innovation
In the middle of a 500 mile endurance "hoss race" the support wagon breaks down:
Phrases
There were so many good lines in 'The Cowboy Reader' I damned near ran out of ink underlining them all:
Culture
Learn to take medicine.
Design
Function came first out on the range. It had to.
Let me know if you'd like to borrow this book. Git along now lil doggies.
Matt "Tucson Tumbleweed" Marchand