Loading the Buffalo Gun on the Range

[Freedom]

In one of Cooks books he also heaped much greatness and near saint hood on the buffalo hunters, but Teddy Blue in his book likened them to something a bit lower than a snakes belly, liars cheats , thieves and rustlers....

Funny you should mention this Don....My Great Great Grandfather moved into Colorado in the 50's and then into Montana in 1860 during the Virginia City gold rush. He had 5 sons. 3 of those (that I know of) lived and homesteaded the same place that I still live.

One of them was named Henry(Harry). Harry was born in 1865 and lived until 1960, so he lived through the slaughter and settling of the west. My father knew him quite well. My uncle Henry wrote a small family book, and in this book he makes mention of the buffalo hunters. Not sure of his exact words...but it went something like this...." food and quarter was to be given freely to anyone who was in need, except a buffalo hunter!!...they are Lazy, Good-For-Nothin, SOB's, with No morals...etc,etc.

Henry felt great disgust for these men that could take the life of the great creatures and just leave them to rot, in country that took so much of ones effort just to stay alive.

[Don McDowell]

Wes that seems to be the prevailing thoughts on the buffalo hunters from most folks of the time in the area.

[APDDSN0864]

Wes that seems to be the prevailing thoughts on the buffalo hunters from most folks of the time in the area.

Plus, keep in mind that it was seen as an easy way to make money without really working for it if you were the shooter, not the skinner.
This business attracted all sorts of lazy types who wanted to make a buck but didn't want to work for it. Tales of making "big money" for hides were what drew a lot of men into the business.

No different than today's "get rich quick" schemes.

Ed

[Caprock]

Mayer is the only one I know of that never mentioned where he hunted. All the others who left journals, letters, or something spoke of rivers, encounters with other hunters, traders, towns, geological formations, landmarks, etc., etc. Mayer didn't and that along with his bungled ideas on Sharps cartridges and plus none of the other hunters ever heard of him makes me strongly question his stories. Personally, I think the fact he didn't mention the above details is the most damning aspect.

[bruce moulds]

the business attracted bat masterson, one of the most self serving, self promoting, people of the time.
he possibly gave it up due to the fact it was too hard.
keep safe,
bruce.