[JimRed]

Gee! The settlers, while heading West, used buffalo chips (dung) to cook their food and stay warm.

Cowboys, too. A song half-remembered from my youth:

All day on the prairie in the saddle I ride
Not even a dog, boys, to trot by my side,
My fire I must kindle with the chips gathered 'round
And boil my own coffee without bein' ground.

[Parmy]

Cool song. I like to go up on Youtube and listen to those old songs.