The Blazing Horizon: The True Story Of Pawnee Bill And The Oklahoma Boomers

1927. Begins: Gordon Lillie stood in the doorway of the restaurant, his gaze roving idly over one of the strangest medleys of humanity a man ever looked upon. It was Saturday afternoon in Caldwell. Bronzed, chap-clad cowboys, from nearby ranges or stopping enroute from their fatiguing herd riding, rubbed elbows with roughly dressed railroad laborers, for the Santa Fe extension was not yet finished and Caldwell was the haven of the thirsty souls who worked along the right of way. Here were cattle thieves, horse thieves, Indians, desperadoes; women, some with children and others with hard eyes and painted cheeks and a ready smile for the passing male; men making sidewalk speeches on the coming greatness of Caldwell and urging their listeners to buy while the boom was yet young.