Beech Tree News Network

Cowboy actor Gene Autry was known mostly for his cowboy songs.  However, he once said, “I can make more money out of a country song, or novelty song than I can cowboy songs.”  Hence we had “Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer” and “Peter Cottontail” — both sold millions.

As for country songs, “Be Honest With Me” was a top country seller for Gene.  Also, “You’re the Only Star in My Blue Heaven.” 

By the same token western writer, Louis L’Amour, maintains that gunfighter novels sell better for him than real cowboy stories. 

Hondo was L’Amour’s first novel to hit big time.  It made several best seller lists; also his word crafting was so good, this novel was used in creative writing courses in several colleges.

Later Hondo was made into a hit movie, starring John Wayne.

However, L’Amour was quick to say his favorite was writing about the real cowboy on the real frontier.  One could learn a lot from these real frontier writings.  “If I describe one small plant forcing itself between the crack in a flat rock, I have been there.”

As well as living it, L’Amour via research, practically writes a complete history of the western frontier.

Or describing a lone rider, “The solitary rider did not mind his aloneness, for he had the companionship of the mind.” 

He also told of the cunningness of the western frontier survivor.  “Many times a frontiersman’s horse’s ears would signal trouble ahead.  Or a sixth sense would tell a rider to bail off his horse an instant before a bullet tore bark from a tree next to him.  Unless recognizing dangers, a frontiersman didn’t live long.

As for the real cowboy, “Most of them didn’t even own a gun.  They did well to own a saddle and bridle.”  Louis L’Amour said, “So, that would dispel tales of gunfights in the street between two cowboys.” 

Fact is, L’Amour said, “If a cowboy owned a gun, he probably couldn’t shoot himself in his own foot with it.”  On trail drives the trail boss did most times carry a pistol in his saddle bag for snakes and such.

The early working cowboy (one-fourth of whom were black) was paid $25 a month, and found the foremen were paid $30.

Louis L’Amour was a real cowboy, boxer, deckhand on ships, and gold miner.  He wrote about what he knew.

Kindest regards…