The Last West--Ranching

The following hotlink will take you to the first chapter of a book  written by Theodore Roosevelt (TR) on manhood and ranching in the late-nineteenth century West.  "Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail---the Cattle Country of the Far West"  (1888). Part of this text is also reproduced in the Binder book.  Roosevelt owned and operated a ranch in the Dakota Territory before he became governor of New York and then president of the United States.

Cattle ranching became big business in some American western territories and states during the late-nineteenth century. 

1. How does Roosevelt feel about ranching life?  

2. Who are the cowboys? 

3. What is ranching life like according to TR? 

4. Where was ranching an important business? What circumstances do you think made this possible?