![]() One of forty-six cowboy cards collected from packs of Hassan Cork Tip Cigarettes, The Oriental Smoke, The Largest Selling Brand of Cigarettes in America, Factory No.649 - 1st Dist. NY. These cards belonged to my grandfather - Edward Pickett - with a hand written note: Dad's Cards 1898 to 1902 One of many pictorial collector card histories relating to the exciting times of the Old West – most notably the life of a cowboy. Includes literal transcriptions, actual cards and referenced images. This collection is provided for general reference. The author of this site makes no claims as to the accuracy or completeness of this work. |
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~ BACK ~
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TRANSCRIPTION: On a ranch nothing is more dreaded than a prairie fire. The sight of one coming up will bring out all the cow-punchers in the outfit, ready for hot work. They know unless they win the fight the range will be a barren waste, where the cattle will seek food in vain. Some of the boys go to work back-firing a broad strip around the corrals and ranch buildings. Others, riding in pairs, one on each side of the advancing line of fire, drag the hides or split carcasses of freshly killed steers over the flames. These are followed by gangs with wet blankets, who beat out any lingering sparks. Nobody thinks about slacking work, eating or sleeping till the fire is checked. The cowboys are content to come out of the struggle with their hands blistered and faces blackened, if only they have saved the range. Swift and summary vengeance comes to the man who started the fire, if he is ever found out.
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