Call of the Mountains -- Glacier National Park

Grandma's family homesteaded in Creston, Montana in the late 1890s.  Creston is just a few miles south of Glacier National Park, so it's no surprise we visited the park often when I was growing up and visiting relatives in Montana.  As I got older I developed a thirst for knowledge about the park and soon began collecting and reading everything I could lay my hands on.

In the early 1980s I was introduced to the writings of James Willard Schultz (1859-1947).  After reading his first book "My Life as an Indian" (1907) -- Find a copy to download here... http://ia600401.us.archive.org/31/items/cu31924028667974/cu31924028667974.pdf -- I was hooked and went on to collect and read everything he penned (37 books in all).  Schultz spent many years living with the Blackfeet in or near Glacier National Park, Montana, and his description of Indian life is as complete as anything ever written.  Several of his books are now available on google books for free.

Getting back to the subject of Glacier National Park -- there are a few things I highly recommend if you visit there…

One of the best ways to experience the park is on a horseback ride.  Horses will get you off the busy roads and will give you a chance to see back country and animal life often missed by motorists.  If you only have a couple hours to spend or if your body isn't up long hours in the saddle I can recommend Swan Mountain Outfitters with locations in Many Glacier, Apgar, and Lake McDonald.  

We just rode with them at Lake McDonald in September 2012, and we were absolutely delighted by a young woman wrangler named Adriana.  Her knowledge and skill made the ride a total joy -- and we were treated to a visit with a black bear and her two cubs.

Whatever you do don't miss a trip over the "Going-to-the-Sun Road" a 50 mile span between West Glacier and St. Mary.  The road is narrow and winding, and vehicles are limited to 21 feet in length, but you can expect to see breathtaking views, glaciers, and plenty of wildlife -- especially mountain goats.

1987 on Two Medicine Lakes

If fishing from a canoe is your thing -- then a visit to Glacier National Park's Two Medicine Lake is the ticket.  The scenery is spectacular and you'll find plenty of 10 - 12 inch Brook Trout.

One of the park's best kept secrets is the little bakery at the Polebridge Mercantile where you'll find some of the best tasting Huckleberry Bear Claws ever made.  As a bonus -- if you're lucky -- you might just see or hear a wolf pack that inhabits the area.  Polebridge is on the western boundary of the park between Flathead National Forest and the North Fork of the Flathead River about 25 miles northwest of Apgar Village.

Happy trails.

Four Legged Pals -- More Wonderful Movie Horses - part 3

Horses in B-Westerns were often as famous as the six-gun heroes that rode them.  In fact, many films were all about the horse.  Let's meet a few of the equine stars...

Smoke or (Smoky) -- the gorgeous palomino -- that singing cowboy Dick Foran rode in the 1936-1937 Warner Bros Western series was apparently owned by actor and stuntman Chief Thundercloud aka Victor Daniels.  Smoke was credited in the following Santa Susana locations films Moonlight On The Prairie (1935), Treachery Rides The Range (1936), Trailin' West (1936), California Mail (1936), Song of The Saddle (1936), Guns of The Pecos (1937), The Cherokee Strip (1937), Empty Holsters (1937), Devil's Saddle Legion (1937), Land Beyond the Law (1937) and Prairie Thunder (1937).

Sonny -- one of many -- paint horses ridden by Wild Bill Elliott during his early days with Republic. 

Bill's family was in the quarter horse breeding business, so it's no surprise Bill had a number of flashy paint horses -- many were called Sonny.

Starlight -- was most likely a studio rental horse -- ridden by Tim McCoy in this oater filmed on the upper inversion Ranch.  According to Bobby Copeland, McCoy didn't hold horses in very high regard.  To McCoy they were use a tool to get the job done, so he took what the rental stable sent.

Target -- a palomino -- co-starred with Gail Davis in the 1954 "Annie Oakley" TV series.  According to other researchers, three horses were used to play the role of Target, and they probably all came from the Hudkins Brothers rental stables.

Tarzan -- the palomino 'Wonder Horse' -- owned by Ken Maynard was half Arabian and half American Saddle horse.  Like most of the star horses Tarzan had plenty of stunt doubles to handle the heavy work.  Ken was arguably to finest horseman of all the cowboy stars, and Tarzan was one of the best trained horses in film.  Here's a link to a swell clip that features Tarzan playing lame in Phantom Rancher (1940)…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnCbzizODsw&feature=plcp

Thunder -- the magnificent black stallion in Republic's Red Ryder series -- was owned first by Wild Bill Elliott.  Remember in my post about Allan 'Rocky' Lane's horse Black Jack -- I told you that according to Bobby Copeland's book "Silent Hoofbeats" Black Jack was a Morgan that Lane bought from Bill Elliott in 1946.  Well if you compare two photos (the one above of Thunder, and the photo of Black Jack at http://a-drifting-cowboy.blogspot.com/2012/09/four-legged-pals-those-wonderful-movie.html) you'll see even the saddle, bridle, nose band, and bit were part of the sale.

Tony (left 1899-1942) -- was billed as 'The Wonder Horse' or sometimes 'Tony the Horse' -- and appeared in over 180 films with Tom Mix.  When he was injured at age 22 Tony was turned out in a pasture in the San Fernando Valley, and replaced by Tony Jr. (right) who Tom rode to the end of his film career (photo courtesy of Bruce Hickey).

Topper -- was the second white horse -- owned and ridden by William Boyd (in his Hopalong Cassidy roles).  Hoppy's original horse was injured on a film in 1939, so Topper -- a double -- began his career as co-star on Hopalong Cassidy films and the television series.  Topper is buried at the Los Angeles Pet Memorial Park in Calabasas, California.

Trigger, a big, beautiful Golden Palomino stallion, co-starred with Roy Rogers in many of his movies and Roy's TV show.  Trigger was often billed as "the smartest horse in the movies."  Roy originally purchased Trigger from the Hudkins Brothers Stable for $2500.00 (on time payments).  When the original Trigger (known as the 'old man') died in 1965 Roy had him taxidermied, so he could be displayed in his museum.  Last year the taxidermied Trigger sold at auction for $266,500.00. 

White Flash -- a handsome white horse was owned and ridden by Tex Ritter during the late 1930s and 1940s.  Like most B-Western stars Tex owned several white horses to assist with movie stunts.

Additional reading:

Silent Hoofbeats (2001) by Bobby J. Copeland… A salute to the horses and riders of the bygone B-Western era

Hollywood Hoofbeats: Trails Blazed Across The Silver Screen (2005) by Petrine Day Mitchum and Audrey Pavia… In Hollywood Hoofbeats, author Petrine Day Mitchum tells stories in page-turning detail, covering topics such as behind-the-scenes portraits of both famous movie horses and those virtually unknown; personal accounts from their trainers, owners, and costars; simple and complex horse stunts, from a fall in mid-gallop to a race across a bridge during a live explosion; and historic black-and-white photos and richly colored contemporary stills.

Horses in the Movies (1979) by Harold F. Hintz… Horses have always been an important part of the movie industry. The B Westerns owed much of their popularity to horses. In fact, horses had some of the most important parts. Some horses achieved great popularity their names known in almost every household.

Four Legged Pals -- More Wonderful Movie Horses - part 2

Horses in B-Westerns were often as famous as the six-gun heroes that rode them.  In fact, many films were all about the horse.  Let's meet a few of the equine stars...

Fritz -- Bill Hart's Pinto Pony -- was acquired by William S Hart from film producer Thomas Ince.  Fritz was the first horse in the movies to be listed as a co-star with his rider.  The photo above is from a scene in The Narrow Trail (1917).

Goldie -- a palomino horse -- owned by Hoot Gibson was rumored to have died as a result of injuries sustained while making a movie.  Hoot actually rode many horses in his starring roles.  Among them were Jack Perrin's Starlight, Tom Keene's Rusty, and others identified as Midnight, Mutt and Pal.

KoKo -- The Miracle Horse of the Movies -- owned by Rex Allen was a liver chestnut (or dark sorrel) color with a flaxen mane and tail.  According to my research KoKo had some Morgan heritage.

Sun Dance was one of the last horses used by Tim Holt in the movies.  Earlier horses included a palomino named Lightning, and Duke with a large star on his forehead.  In the photo above Tim is using a California style double rein outfit with a hackmore, humane bit, and mecate (horsehair) reins.  Flashy!

Old Blue -- the photo above is inscribed, "In memory of "Old Blue" the best horse I ever rode, born July 1897, killed Jan 29, 1919.  We grew old together." -- Tom Mix.  Old Blue (who had been retired a few years earlier) broke a leg and had to be put down.  After that "Tony" became Tom's full-time movie horse.

Raider -- a white Morgan gelding -- was Charles Starrett's horse when he played the part of the Durango Kid. 

If you recall Starrett usually played a duel role, so when he wasn't the masked rider he rode a handsome chestnut named Bullet (above).

Rebel -- was a golden palomino -- owned and ridden by Johnny Mack Brown in his later films.  Another researcher offers an interesting tale that says the horse was originally named Reno, but his name was changed when Johnny played opposite a female co-star named Reno Blair at Monogram.  The gal in the photo above is Nell O'Day.

Rusty -- may have been a paint horse -- owned by Tom Keene, but truthfully I'm on shaky ground.  I couldn't find any information about the horse in the still above.  I did find two researchers using one of those old low resolution arcade cards of Keene on a rearing paint.  Both researchers claimed the horse was Rusty… maybe so.  If you know for sure let me know.

Silver -- a beautiful white horse -- occasionally got star billing as "Buck Jones' horse" in movies like The Roaring West (1935), but I was surprised to learn that was fairly rare.  Silver -- the horse -- actually made 73 films between 1922 and 1942.

Silver -- the beautiful white horse -- ridden by Clayton Moore, as the Lone Ranger.  Well, again it seems like there are at least two Silvers.  Apparently one was actually named "White Cloud" and the other was named "Tarzen's White Banner."  It appears the horse that rears in the opening scene of the TV series was "White Cloud."  

As a youngster -- for me there was only one Silver -- and I personally will ever forget those spine-tingling words, "A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty ‘Hi-Yo, Silver!’. . . The Lone Ranger!"

Additional reading:

Silent Hoofbeats (2001) by Bobby J. Copeland… A salute to the horses and riders of the bygone B-Western era

Hollywood Hoofbeats: Trails Blazed Across The Silver Screen (2005) by Petrine Day Mitchum and Audrey Pavia… In Hollywood Hoofbeats, author Petrine Day Mitchum tells stories in page-turning detail, covering topics such as behind-the-scenes portraits of both famous movie horses and those virtually unknown; personal accounts from their trainers, owners, and costars; simple and complex horse stunts, from a fall in mid-gallop to a race across a bridge during a live explosion; and historic black-and-white photos and richly colored contemporary stills.

Horses in the Movies (1979) by Harold F. Hintz… Horses have always been an important part of the movie industry. The B Westerns owed much of their popularity to horses. In fact, horses had some of the most important parts. Some horses achieved great popularity their names known in almost every household. 

***

Hold your horses… before you write to tell me I missed your favorite six-gun hero and his steed -- there'll be more coming soon.

Stay tuned...

Ox Yoke Dude Ranch & cowboy furniture

About 17 years ago -- when I was still building 'Cowboy Chic' furniture -- I briefly considered writing a book about the history of cowboy furniture.  There was plenty of source material for adirondack furniture, fantasy furniture, and even some information about more recent (1950s) designs like Wagon Wheel and Monterey furniture.

I figured there must be a few small furniture builders -- other than Thomas Molesworth -- in dude ranch country, so I started collecting dude ranch ephemera.

I found several old dude ranch brochures and I acquired a swell set of postcards and personal photographs from a young woman's 1941 visit to the Ox Yoke Ranch in Emigrant, Montana.

After a couple months I abandoned the book project because I was just too busy building my Lure of the Dim Trails furniture, and  -- in time -- I forgot all about the Ox Yoke photos.  To make a long story short I recently came across those old photos, so I googled 'Ox Yoke Ranch' and discovered the ranch still exists.  I contacted the owner and got permission to share some of its history...

In 1863, Ohio native Nelson Story settled with his wife, Ellen, in Montana in a log house at Alder Gulch. Three years later, in 1866, he drove 1,000 head of cattle up from Ft. Worth, Texas, on the Lonesome Dove Trail to help feed starving Montana mining town residents isolated by harsh weather. He came through Paradise Valley and, beset by an early winter, he camped in a "pretty little canyon" offering protection from the elements – the site later became the Ox Yoke Ranch.

Through the early 1900s, the site served as a base camp for sheepherders and cowboys. In the late 1920s, Charles Murphy purchased the Paradise Valley site and founded Ox Yoke Ranch, a 50,000-acre working cattle ranch.

A depressed livestock market forced Murphy to consider ways to diversify the ranch and generate income. While cattle ranching was not always a lucrative profession, dude ranches were growing in popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. When the Northern Pacific Railroad came to Paradise Valley, establishing a train station in Emigrant, Murphy seized the opportunity to be among the first Western ranchers to open the wonders of the West to pleasure travelers from the East.

Working with Northern Pacific Railroad officials in Chicago, Murphy began construction on the Ox Yoke's main lodge. While the dining room and sitting rooms have since been renovated, and amenities have been added, much of today's historic Mountain Sky main lodge remains structurally unchanged since the 1920s. 

Murphy also relocated a rustic house on the property, inhabited by earlier homesteaders, the Lewis family, from the upper pasture to a new location closer to the main lodge. Murphy used the log home as his year-round residence and office for the ranch.

In 1929, Murphy welcomed his first guests at the railhead in Emigrant for their stay at Ox Yoke Ranch. It was not unusual to see private rail cars parked for two and three months in Emigrant throughout the summer. Guests came from Chicago, Minnesota, New York and Florida to enjoy the same spectacular riding, hiking, fishing and warm Western hospitality enjoyed by today's Mountain Sky guests.

To learn about today's Mountain Sky Ranch (formerly Ox Yoke) read the full story see http://www.mtnsky.com/about/heritage.aspx

To learn more about my 'Cowboy Chic' furniture and 'Lure of the Dim Trails' use the search box at the top left of the page to search those terms.

Four Legged Pals -- Those Wonderful Movie Horses

Horses in B-Westerns were often as famous as the six-gun heroes that rode them.  In fact, many films were all about the horse.  Let's meet a few of the equine stars...

Apache -- a beautiful paint horse -- was owned by Bob 'Tumbleweed' Baker.   Baker rode Apache in all his starring roles.  Baker is believed to have sold Apache to Montie Montana who have a penchant for beautiful paint horses.  [A different Apache was ridden by Bill Williams in the "Kit Carson" TV series]

Baron -- a handsome white horse -- was owned and ridden by Tom Tyler in many of his 1930s films.

Black Diamond -- a stunning Black thoroughbred -- ridden by Lash LaRue whose outfit was all black.  Some researchers suggest the same horse was sometimes called 'Rush.'

Black Jack -- was beautiful black stallion -- owned and ridden by Rocky Lane.  According to Bobby Copeland's book "Silent Hoofbeats" Black Jack was a Morgan that Lane bought from Bill Elliott in 1946.  I believe the horse was probably 'Thunder' in both of their respective Red Ryder roles.

Brownie -- his favorite it has been suggested -- was just one of dozens of horses ridden by Bob Steele.  Others were named Flambow, Boy, Shiek Coco, Zane and Sacks.

Cactus -- a dazzling white horse -- ridden by Sunset Carson.  Research suggests the horse was originally named Silver by Republic Pictures, but Carson later changed it to Cactus.

Champion -- “Wonder Horse of the West” -- a sorrel with a blaze and three white stockings appeared throughout Gene Autry's film and television career, but there were at least four different Champions. 

Diablo -- a flashy paint horse -- owned and ridden by Duncan Renaldo (especially in the 1950s "The Cisco Kid" TV Series) was just one of many Diablos used in Renaldo's film and TV shows.

Duke -- "The Miracle Horse"  -- in early 1930s John Wayne oaters was (like a lot of things in the movies) not always as it appeared.  It seems -- on close examination -- Wayne was actually mounted on many different white steeds.

Falcon -- a palomino with a brand (maybe 'S') on his left shoulder -- was the primary mount used by Buster Crabbe during his days with PRC, but he occasionally appeared on a other colored horses.

Additional reading:

Silent Hoofbeats (2001) by Bobby J. Copeland… A salute to the horses and riders of the bygone B-Western era

Hollywood Hoofbeats: Trails Blazed Across The Silver Screen (2005) by Petrine Day Mitchum and Audrey Pavia… In Hollywood Hoofbeats, author Petrine Day Mitchum tells stories in page-turning detail, covering topics such as behind-the-scenes portraits of both famous movie horses and those virtually unknown; personal accounts from their trainers, owners, and costars; simple and complex horse stunts, from a fall in mid-gallop to a race across a bridge during a live explosion; and historic black-and-white photos and richly colored contemporary stills.

Horses in the Movies (1979) by Harold F. Hintz… Horses have always been an important part of the movie industry. The B Westerns owed much of their popularity to horses. In fact, horses had some of the most important parts. Some horses achieved great popularity their names known in almost every household. 

***

Hold your horses… before you write to tell me I missed your favorite six-gun hero and his steed -- there'll be more coming soon.

Stay tuned...

Reel Little Cowboy of the Santa Susanas -- Robert "Bobby" Winckler

Robert Winckler (center) with his friend Ronald Reagan and vice-president George H. W. Busch

The fun part of writing a blog is the interesting folks who write to you.  Yesterday I received a very pleasant email from a gentleman named Bill Winckler.  Bill shared some wonderful information about his late father -- Robert "Bobby" Winckler -- who according to Leonard Maltin was one of the most prolific child actors of the 1930s and 1940s.  Bobby worked in more than 200 radio shows and appeared in more than 80 film titles.  He played roles with some of my favorite cowboy heroes including Gene Autry, Wild Bill Elliott, Tim McCoy, Bob Steele and Johnny Mack Brown.

Robert "Bobby" Winckler (1927-1989) was one of the most prolific child actors of the 1930s and 1940s.  Robert broke into show business with a letter of introduction to producer Hal Roach from Charles Chaplin's wife, Mildred Harris. 

Between the ages of six and eighteen, Bobby worked with most of the stars of the "Golden Age" of Hollywood -- in classic feature films, serials, cartoons and hundreds of radio shows.  As an adult -- he became a successful attorney -- representing clients who worked both in front of and behind the camera lens.

Robert "Bobby" Winckler was the voice of both Hans and Fritz in The Captain and the Kids "The Katzenjammer Kids" (cartoon series) at MGM.  

He sang at the Democratic Convention in Chicago for President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  He attended Hollywood Professional School with other child stars at the time, including Donald O'Connor and Roddy McDowall.

He was the newsboy signature voice on the "Big Town" radio show starring Edward G. Robinson for four years. Was also a radio series regular and close friends with Robinson.  He played W.C. Fields' son on the "Your Hit Parade" radio show.

He is featured in the movie comic book version of Gene Autry's western Blue Montana Skies (1939), in which he appeared.

He appeared in the Hollywood Christmas Parade with other child stars and Boris Karloff.  When he accidentally kicked Karloff in the head, Karloff turned to Bobby and joked, "Not too many kids can kick Frankenstein and get away with it."

He played supporting roles in 82 titles.  His Santa Susana filmography includes:

Captain Fury (1939) starring Brian Aherne, Victor McLaglen and Paul Lukas (Iverson Ranch) UA

Maisie (1939) starring Robert Young, Ann Sothern and Ruth Hussey (Chatsworth) MGM

Gun Code (1940) starring Tim McCoy, Inna Gest and Lou Fulton - PRC

Cherokee Strip (1940) starring Richard Dix, Florence Rice and William Henry - Paramount

Wildcat of Tucson, The (1940) starring Bill Elliott, Evelyn Young and Stanley Brown - Columbia

Lone Rider Rides On, The (1941) starring George Houston, Hillary Brooke and Al St. John - PRC

Pals of the Pecos (1941) starring Robert Livingston, Bob Steele, Rufe Davis (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Bad Men of Missouri (1941) starring Dennis Morgan, Jane Wyman and Wayne Morris - Warner Bros.

Prairie Express (1947) starring Johnny Mack Brown, Raymond Hatton and Virginia Belmont - Monogram