Interest in the American West

[Sue Cauhape]

As I come in contact with groups like True West, I'm amazed at how many people are deeply interested in the American West, its history and lifeways. With film productions such as Serenity and Cowboys and Aliens, the western genre is being modernized to  reach "into the black." Is there a resurgence of that "aim to misbehave" self-reliance returning to American culture? What inspired the members of this group to be interested in the Old West and its movie/books genre?

[john r. larkin/cowboy johnny]

we want to keep it very alive, the history that is.

[Al Herndon aka El Mas Chingon]

Gotta love that so many still honor the "Code of the West".  Folks out west are very hospitable and all of the history is fascinating.  I think you're right about the self-reliance angle, too.  The only one we can consistently depend on is ourself and others with like interests.  Long live us!

[Norman Wayne Brown]

As for me, I have been living in Texas since I was transferred here for the second time in 1978 as an Air Force persona. Now that I am retired I spend my free time writing and doing research on the old west. I had my first article published by True West magazine in the April, 2010 issue. Also the same month I had an article "Who was the Texas Kid" appear in Wild West History Association's Journal. This month WWHA is running another of my articles "In the Shadow of John Wesley Hardin" about his brother Jeff.  I am trying for another article in True West but it's tough competition.  But, I was invited to join and I really enjoy reading and writing about the old west as well as reading the views and experiences of other Westerners!

 

[Sue Cauhape]

Thank you for your comments, gentlemen. I hope you will allow me to quote you in an article about this issue.

[Norman Wayne Brown]

Sue. Please feel free to quote me. Writers love exposure. <S>

[Al Herndon aka El Mas Chingon]

Sue,

Feel free to do as you wish.  Have a great one!

Al

[Oscar W. Case]

I hope the interest keeps growing. My inspiration comes from having been born here (NE Utah), my childhood and hearing my mom read Riders of the Purple Sage back in the 1930's. Some in the family are still ranching and farming.

[Sue Cauhape]

Thanks for the comments. NE Utah is gorgesous ... as I recall. Haven't been there in decades, but I grew up in Salt Lake and Dad used to take us for Sunday drives to Evanston, WY,  where he grew up on the Frazier Ranch. Some cousins of mine repurchased the ranch a few years ago. 

Have you read the new publication of "Riders"? Jon Tuska, who wrote the Foreword, received a copy of the original mss. from Grey's grandson and they published it in its original state. What a great story. And after reading its rich details, I can well understand why Grey was so devastated by the way the editors slashed it when it was first published. This version is put out by Leisure Historical Fiction.

[Oscar W. Case]

Sorry, I haven't read "Riders", the new pub. In fact I never finished the first one and have never gotten back to it, although I have read some of Grey's other novels. I will add the new one to my TBP and R list, which is getting kinda long.

[Norman Wayne Brown]

Speaking of Zane Grey...I am working on an article about a cowboy who had a ranch near Putoff Canyon. Grey stayed there in a dugout with a family who boarded him while he was writing "The Thunderding Herd". While Putoff is an odd name, the cowboy's name exceeded the unusual. He was Guff Lafoon who worked for Burnett of the 6666 ranch, Al Jay of the 888 ranch and the Circle Bars. He was quite a character in a harsh and unforgiving land. He made a fortune showing rattlesnakes at county fairs. When he died he left all of his estate papers to his daughter and when she died she left them with her son Tom. He has numerous boxes in his garage and has no idea what the next box will bring. So far, about 15 great stories with great photos. And, Tom is sharing all of that history with me. I am grateful.