Cowmen of Letters.

Cowmen of Letters Collection of Famous Ranch Letterheads and Schoolboy Hieroglyphics Write Chapter in Colorful Story of West

The cattle industry of the American west has furnished a history unique. Its spectacular development gave the west much of its character, and in addition to the cowboy, established customs and traditions which for gencrations promise to be observed. Mild climate, ample feed, and natural ruggedness assure that cattlemen will continue to play an important part in Arizona's population for many years. Real honest-to-goodness, hard-riding cowboys may some day be replaced but not until methods of handling stock in rougn country change.

Much of the west's colorful history is founded on the development of the cattle industry. Vividly portrayed in the writings of scores of authors, it has preyed upon the imagination of millions. Interest in things western has not languished as is evidenced by the universal reading of carloads of western fiction magazines and books. Dude ranches have an ever growing output of synthetic cowboys. Rodeos which had their origin in contests between riders of different outfits, are now held in London, New York and other great cities quite remote from sage brush covered mesas.

Western movies "pack" 'em in;" Wild West shows and radio programs attract large audiences. Highways are lined with those who are still heeding Horace Greeley's advice. Western atmosphere is good atmosphere.

Most of the ranchers and persons whose letterheads appear in the accompanying picture are history making outfits or individuals. Stationery of some great cattle spreads of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, and Montana appear. That of the late Will Rogers, the world's best known and most beloved cowboy, represents the Rogers ranch at Oolagah, Oklahoma. The E. P.(Continued on Page 25)