A Story Of The Big Western Ranches

W. S. WILLIS

Publication: Privately printed, 1955, Forth Worth

First edition. Limited to 400 copies. 8vo. Signed by the author. Pictorial wrappers, [4], 67 pp., foreword, illustrated, acknowledgments. The author laments the end of the big ranches of the Texas plains. Herd 2531 says "Privately printed in an edition of 400 copies." The author relates many stories dealing with ranches, ranch life, cowboys, cattle, cattle drives, etc. In the foreword it states, "It is not the purpose of this story to make mention of all the great men of the 1860s to the time of this story, but to show that it was men like Jess Day and his sons, who had the grit and guts to drive their hers to the wild open ranges of the great western plains. There they established the greatest cattle country in America. They had no established ranges, no established water places, no fences, no ranch improvements and no law. They made their own law which was the law of honesty, integrity and fair play for all. They made their laws and enforced them upon all alike. It was these pioneer cowmen who drove their hers to the great western country, below and above the Cap Rock of the Lano Estacado up life of the great Stake Plains of Texas." The author was at various times a cowboy, rancher, salesman, screenwriter, and minister. An account of his cowboy life and ranching in the West. A fine bright clean copy.

Inventory Number: 52505