Only A Cow Country - At One Time.- Wyoming Counties Of Crook, Weston, And Campbell 1875 To 1951. Facts, Not Fiction

DICK NELSON

Publication: Pioneer Printers, 1951, San Diego

First edition. 8vo. Inscribed and dated on the front page below the map by the author: "To my Reader, Texas Longhorns trailed to Wyoming to fatten on its grass, tied a friendship knot that is still tied. May it never loosen is the wish of Yours Truly, Dick S. Nelson, San Diego, California, April, 1952." The author also notes the Nelson Home Ranch on the map. Pictorial wrappers, 104 pp., frontispiece (map), Illustrated from photographs. Nelson, who lived in Wyoming from childhood, spent much of his adult life with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and his book draws on first-hand experience, personal reminiscences, archival records, and local anecdotes to offer a view of frontier life in a region that was once primarily open range "cow country."

The narrative begins with the establishment of Crook County in 1875, capturing the earliest ranching and cattle operations. Broad expanses of open range dominated the land, with cowboys, cattle drives, and rugged frontier conditions defining daily life. The arrival and expansion of the Burlington Railroad through the region had a major impact, spurring the development of communities. His accounts underscore how rail connectivity enabled economic change by linking ranchers to distant markets and encouraging population growth. In addition to ranching and cattle information there is much to say about early pioneers, the Black Hills, oil, Big Nose George and his gang, Wounded Knee, Indians and their three-day sun dance, and much more. In addition to ranching and cattle information there is much to say about early pioneers, the Black Hills, oil, Big Nose George and his gang, Wounded Knee, Indians and their three-day sun dance, and much more. A near fine copy of a scarce item.