Saddle up folks

.......and listen to a tale of the West. American history is not in the same time frame as the UK but has a richness that depends on real strong men and women.
Nelson Story took the first longhorn cattle, purchased with money he earned from panning gold, from Texas to Montana in 1866. 
One hundred and fifty years later his family have just celebrated the life of a huge man.
Elaine and I became friends of his Grandson, Pete Story and his wife Eileen, former State Senator and owner of The Stray Dawg ranch at Emigrant Montana. While visiting we were shown around the family museum, hanging on the walls are a pair of hinges made from the suspension of a covered wagon. There are slash marks on them caused by the axes used by a bunch of drunks from the saloon next to the jail breaking in to save money. Save money? Yes, they hanged the rapist and the murderer who had been dragged from the cells, thereby saving the cost of two trials and a Judge travelling from the nearest town. There are also all the family saddles, a Surrey, complete with fringe and loads of history.
Pete took me out across the ranch in his ancient pickup. Spotting a coyote he handed me the persuader which was lying in the door pocket and told me to shoot the 'varmint.' This gun was one of a pair, as shown on the T-shirt, a long barrelled Colt 45. My first shot nearly broke my wrist, the second caused a shower of stones and dust to cover the coyote, at this point it turned, gave me the finger and trotted off. 
Nelson was part of the local vigilantes, keeping order by use of force in a lawless environment. Hanging or shooting those who would cause mayhem. 
His arrival in Montana preceded Sitting Bull's reorganisation of the 7th Cavalry under Custer, by 10 years. You may only imagine what life was like for a man who had fought Sioux and Crow Indians. 
If you are inclined, please read this Wiki page about the events in this man's life. He lived and worked hard, did not tolerate fools or 'scoundrels.' 
Nelson Story.

PS Pete and Eileen stayed with us for 3 weeks, they adored our history, especially Warwick Castle, where the archer used Pete as his 'subject' in the art of disembowelling with a two handed sword. Oh how I laughed.....