The Cowboy Life of James L. Kenney

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When James Kenney was seven, in 1921, his father was killed helping a Texas Ranger expose a ring of cattle thieves. Although his family went to live on his grandfather’s farm after his death, James’ driving ambition was to be a cowboy like his father.

Few people have been as “far west” as James, who hit the trail as a cowpuncher in 1929. School books never impart the important lessons in life, so James threw in with some of the biggest outfits north of the Rio Grande and became a master of horses and cattle. His teachers were cowboys and ranchers, tough enough to tame wild broncs, yet tenderhearted enough to foster a fatherless boy.

“All I ever wanted to do was ride a horse and work cattle,” says James, who set off on an unforgettable odyssey when there were few roads and fewer fences between Midland, Texas and his ultimate destination, the San Carlos Chiricahua Apache Indian Reservation, in the lofty mountains of eastern Arizona. He slept under the stars and shared his meals with an endearing cast of characters, from Big Boy Brady to Slick Rutherford . . .

Price: $19.95

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