Wyoming is so closely identified with ranching that it is often known as the Cowboy State. The prosperity associated with the cattle industry drew wealthy investors to Wyoming Territory in the 1870s and early 1880s. They stocked the range with thousands of cows and made considerable fortunes until the harsh winter of 18861887, when the cattle market collapsed. Many of those early ranchers left Wyoming, which opened the door for the establishment of what would become a huge sheep business. During the 1890s and the early decades of the 20th century, the various Homestead Acts drew others to Wyoming in search of a brighter future. As most of Wyomings land was suited for grazing, not farming, smaller ranches began to play a more important role in the states growth. Wyomings Historic Ranches provides a rare glimpse of the cattle baron ranches as well as the more modest operations that are tucked away along remote valleys and streams, not visible to the average visitor or resident of the state.

The contents of this book are 40 years of working in the livestock industry. Ive been involved in just about every phase of the cattle industry with working in feedlots, on ranches, and even 16 months in a large packing house. Along with this is a lifetime of rodeoing and jackpot ropins. The stories told here are short snippets of the day-to-day work and the people we worked for. I tried to maintain the vocabulary and the flavor of the day, so I hope the reader finds some entertainment here. I sure had fun writing it. A lot of the stuff here deals with the great cowboys and cowgirls Ive crossed paths with... without them I wouldnt have anything to say. Enjoy!

In the first third of the twentieth century, the 101 Real Wild West Show was known halfway round the world. It featured such headliners as Bill Pickett, the African-American inventor of bulldogging, and the future Hollywood film stars Tom Mix, Buck Jones, and Hoot Gibson. What was not so well known abroad was that the show stemmed from a real, working ranch that rivaled the fabled XIT Ranch in the folklore of the West.