Posted on 06/26/2013 7:25:55 PM PDT by DogByte6RER
The Old West: When men were men and women knew their place
How many times have we heard men declare of the days of the old West, ‘men were men and women stayed at home and knew their place’? This is a common refrain after folks watch a movie based on the period.
A peek behind the myths reveals difficult and trying lifestyle most modern men would never concede to and when a seeming minor health issue that would be easily cured today would take lives by the thousands.
The ‘cool’ concept of a man that stands tall for all that is good and right drawing a gun at sundown against a man of wrong and all things bad may appeal to modern guys who puff their chest full of air and momentarily feel courageous with the thought of yesteryear opportunity. The fact is, gun drawing is a myth and rarely happened. When it did, it was usually a couple of drunks full of liquid courage. The events at the O.K Corral were rare and more a slaughter than we would like to believe.
The term ‘cowboy’ does not apply to all men of the era. Cowboys were and are the guys who herded cows across the country under the worst of circumstances. The sign-on’s had to pay for their supplies and made little money. The whole ‘sleeping under the stars’ bit included torrential rains, snow, freezing temperatures, insects and vermin. The hours were incredibly long and the free chow was barely palatable. In other times of the year, the dust from the plains came in clouds and bathing was at best, sporadic.
(Excerpt) Read more at communities.washingtontimes.com ...
Graveside in Colorado ... "Eaten By Mountain Rats In The Year 1876"
Settlers fleeing U.S. Dakota war massacre, 1862
who duh gunfighters?
Man, I gotta tellya - “eaten by mountain rats” is NOT what I’d want on my gravestone.
San Francisco gunfighters.
LOL
But for some reason I’d bet they’re the real deal. Looks like Hitchcock left of center
I thought he looked a bit like Hickok as well, but maybe it is just the hat.
Uh-huh, and the dude next to him has a rifle with the business end pointed at his own crotch!
Here’s a good photo of Wild Bill.
http://troytaylorbooks.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-murder-of-wild-bill-hickok.html
The second part I only hear from idiotic libtards who use it as a strawman (and on rare occasion in jest by others).
Seems that there weren't many good ways to go out, back then. But yeah, those mountain rats were (hell, probably still are) one of the worst. Tonight I sleep with one eye open.
The real deal, all right.
My Great Grandfather was asked once if he knew Calamity Jane.
“I never slept with her, if that is what you mean.” At that time C.G. Meaker was a grocer, and Wild Bill would stop by his old friend “Charlie” to get provisions for his Wild West Show.
CG didn’t like cats. He would shoot them off his back fence with an old .45 Colt pistol.
...but I’m thinking that credit of Elisha Green might be in error...
thanx second from left
Sir, you are a gentleman and a scholar
I never heard that phrase and I watched all the old western TV shows and films when growing up in the 50’s and 60’s. Women were treated with respect in those old shows. It was made clear that life was hard and everybody worked together on the frontier, both men and women, because they had to in order to survive.
Thanks! So this was likely taken when Hickok was touring with Cody’s show.
Code of the West
by James P. Owen
1.Live each day with courage
2.Take pride in your work
3.Always finish what you start
4.Do what has to be done
5.Be tough, but fair
6.When you make a promise, keep it
7.Ride for the brand
8.Talk less and say more
9.Remember that some things aren’t for sale
10.Know where to draw the line
One thing the online digital age has brought is the frequency and the easy for one man to call another a lair. It wasn’t so then and a man chose his words more carefully as he may be call to back them up.
I am familiar with the circumstances of Mr. Hitchcock’s death. But, as I told the Marshal, I was with my wife at prayer services that night.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.