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CHAPTER FIFTEEN A Bit ofa Struggle INC E the Cowans could not sell their Iowa farm, they fitted the place into their scheme of becoming horse breeders, importers, and traders . They hoped to raise some cash through • another mortgage and move to Wyoming with horses, machinery, furniture, and household essentials, thereby avoiding further outlays setting up their Wyoming ranch. By renting the Iowa land to Taylor, their overall investment would be in good hands and they might make about 5 percent which, with mortgage payments and taxes deducted, would net them close to 11f2 percent in actual profit. James told his father that in Wyoming "I can get $40 a month wages at anything in the summer 'cow punching' ... until we are able to put in some cattle after the sale of the farm" -which he expected, once the "stand-still" in land sales ended. 1 "The great mistake we made here [in Iowa1was in putting too much money into land and not nearly enough into cattle." James regarded himself as wiser, more mature, but his horse-business plans actually indicated a repetition of the same pattern; he was going into it because he did not know any good reason why he shouldn't. The economic value of horses to local agriculture and why Americans should recognize the need for quality horses such as Clydesdales or Percherons were unanswered questions. Breeding was often cited as a factor in getting premium beef prices or the delivery of more pounds of milk a month in a dairy; pedigreed hogs might be more disease resistant or gain weight faster; similar favorable points might be raised concerning thoroughbred sheep. But what James failed to consider was whether good draft horseflesh would fulfill a local need and justify the cost. He apologized for not informing his father of the horse venture in time for a comment by return mail. "I am afraid you will think we are rushing blindly into new schemes: but we have given a great deal of thought to the matter ... I know you think I am rather impetuous, but Walter will tell you that he is more sanguine about a good result than I am." James knew his older brother carried more weight at home, being the stable, reliable, steadyone. In mid-June 1886 the Cowans undertook the three-day journey from Akron, Iowa, to Wyoming with a carload of their goods and actually accompanied the horses in their cars. In Wyoming James reported to his mother that the horses created a sensation. "They came pretty near being the best team 201 202 GENTLEMEN ON THE PRAIRIE anywhere round us in Iowa, but out here they hold undisputed master."2 They were easily worth $500 a team, though they had paid only $380 for their best pair. By emphasizing his growing reputation and skill as a horseman, James no doubt hoped to raise confidence at home. Although they initially rented the 320 acre ranch in the Medicine Bow Mountains, they soon purchased it. Walter outfitted the ranch house with curtains, carpets, pictures-all brought from Iowa. Once again they enjoyed congenial society, and all the mother-country references came alive. On New Year's Eve 1886 Joe Jefferson had composed a poem about a transplanted young blood who dreamt of old hunting days in England: My eyes are soon closed, my memory passes Through the days that have gone long ago First school days surround me, then Cumberland lasses Then a home which p'raps some of you know. The foxhounds at Isel, the Harriers at Dean, And an invite to shoot, from the Squire But hunting'S my sport, my breeches are clean So I'll hunt to my heart's own desire. What a glorious run! How I rode in the van! 'Twas the cream of the country they said, How I "pounded" the Master & field to a man But remember 'twas all done in bed. In the evening I danced at the County Hunt ball Where the men all wore scarlet or pink How we talked of the run, how a friend got a fall While to hunting & 'chasing we drink. But the evening has come, I open my eyes, Half awake, half asleep, after rest, "Where am I?" I wonder, then echo replies "You're at home on your ranche in the West'" The marriage date for Joe Jefferson and his fiancee had still to be set. "I shall be very glad when he does marry:' Walter admitted...

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