From every source available we have thought to make this part of the story of the development of the high plains, complete, there being no authentic record. Only fragmentary incidents here and there, that have fiction and inaccuracy as a basis or for filling, it gives but little idea of the magnitude of the business. Naturally from the broken stories -- the material at hand -- this part will be broken and rambling, like the life of the nomadic cowboys-- here today and there tomorrow.

Some writers have said, that sometimes, these plains and these times will furnish the basis for a novel that will sweep popular fiction like a prairie fire. A few have undertaken to fulfill the prophecy.

Mrs. E. Joy Johnson, in "The Foreman of J-A-Six" has brought out some of the proper coloring, and has taken for her characters real persons. Very naturally, those whom she admired occupied the prominent place in her story and the novelist idea creeps in, regardless of the best efforts to keep it out.

William R. Lighten in his "Billy Fortune" series, has delineated the character of many of the range people correctly, although his stories were not pretended to be history. There are others who have attempted to portray the cowboy character, which have brought out the grosser of exaggerated types.

I find particular objection to the stories that picture the man of the range, on a dance floor with his "chaps" on, or wearing a hat or spurs

or gun. When such are given, it shows the ignorance of the writer. He never saw a cowboy dance, but has been at some low joint called a "dance hall" where "four-flushers" and tinhorn gamblers congregate ; a place that would not exist if the cowboys were the only patrons.