Detroit meets the Old West

Ever wonder why the front part of your car's interior is called a "Dashboard"?
It isn't a board and you don't dash around on it, so where'd that term come from? Well it is actually a westernism from the earlier days of transportation.
When a coach or wagon is pulled by a horse, or team of horses they tend to throw dirt up behind them which basically tosses it right into the face of the driver, especially when dashing around at at faster clips. The old timers often referred to these chunks of dirt as dash. The solution was to nail a long board or two in front of the coach at an angle upward to prevent the dirt or dash from flying up from the hooves into the driver. Thus the dashboard was invented. When the car was invented the term just carried over from the old buckboard and stagecoach days.

Ever gone to tailgate party. Ever been trailgated in traffic? Ever wonder why it's not called tail trunking or a hatch party? Once again we return to the days of yesteryear when the chuck wagon would stop and prepare dinner and coffee for the cowboys on the drive. (Trail drive= drive a car). The old chuck wagon had a gate on the back that the cook would lower so he could have flat area to serve off of. At night the cowboys would gather around the gate at the tail of the chuck wagon and drink coffee. Thus the tail gate party was born. Now we have tailgate parties to watch the Dallas Cowboys or the Chiefs or the Indians play. Seems like the older we get the more things stay the same.

Ever drop a friend off somewhere from your car. He didn't really drop did he? So why not say "let out" or "Push out?" Why "Drop Off? Once again we return to our stagecoach days. Back then, given the limited space inside most coaches, the poorer passengers often sat on top of the coach
or rode alongside the driver. When ever the coach came to a steep incline the passengers would have to "Drop Off" the top of the coach to lighten the load and would often help push the coach up the incline.

Finally once just has to watch the other vehicles on the rode to see the western influence on Detroit. The freeway is now filled with Mustangs, Cougars, Broncos, Cherokees, Trailblazers, Pintos, and Wranglers. Get the idea?

What's in a Name

One of the most important things a true western character must have is a manly sounding and unforgettable name. If that fails than at least he should have a strong or dangerous nickname. The exception to this rule is,of course, the sidekick who is often a Fuzzy, Gabby, Windy, or Smiley, or else is an Indian such as Tonto or Little Beaver.

Since the most manly and greatest of the screens western legends, John (Duke) Wayne was actually born Marion Morrison (not the most memorable of cowboy names) it might be interesting to research some of the other western greats to see how their real names stack up to the legend.

Gene Autry = Orvon Gene Autry
Roy Rogers =Leonard Franklin Slye
Dale Evans=Lucille Wood Smith later changed to Frances Octavia Smith
Hopalong Cassidy = William Lawrence Boyd
James Arness = James Aurunessen
Lash LaRue = Alfred LaRue
Hugh O'Brian (TV's Wyatt Earp) = Hugh Krampe
Allan "Rocky" Lane =Harry Albershart
Whip Wilson =Roland Charles Meyers
Bob Allen=Robert Allen Baehr Irving Theodore Baehr
Bob Barker=Stanley Leland Weed
Don "Red" Barry =Donald Barry De Acosta
Rex Bell=George Francis Beldam
Robert Blake (Little beaver)=Michael James Vijencio Gubitosi
Smiley Burnette=Lester Alvin Burnette
Hoot Gibson=Edmund Gibson
Wild Bill Elliott=Gordon Nance
Dick Foran=John Nicholas Foran
Ken Curtis(Festus)=Curtis Gates
Eddie Dean=Edgar Dean Glosup
Gary Cooper=Frank James Cooper
Kirby Grant (Sky King)=Kirby Grant Hoon Jr.
Buck Jones=Charles Frederick Gebhard
Clayton Moore=John Carlton Moore
Slim Pickens=Louis Bert Lindley Jr
Duncan Renaldo=Renault Renaldo Duncan
Sunset Carson=Winifred Maurice Harrison
Jay Silverheels=Harold J. Smith
Yakima Canutt=Enos Edward Canutt
Rod Cameron=Roderick Nathan Cox
Crash Corrigan=Raymond Benard
Buster Crabbe=Clarence Linden Crabbe
Monte Blue=Montgomery Bluefeather
Gail Davis(Annie Oakley)=Betty Jeanne Grayson
Gale Storm=Josephine Cottle
Hal Taliaferro (also Wally Wales)=Floyd T. Alderson

The Man Who Knew Indians

There is a common theme in western literature which has been titled by some scholars as "The Man Who Knew Indians." The concept of this theme is that in order to overcome the enemy you must first understand who they are, what they believe, and more importantly how they fight.
Typcially such a story theme revolves around a beleaguered outpost or a cavalry troop, or perhaps an isolated wagon train out on the trail. The men in the story are often led by a foolish or stubborn officer, or perhaps influenced by a pacifist preacher. Such leaders refuse to fight the enemy on their own terms, prefering instead to "Go by the Book" or perhaps "Follow the Good book." The soldiers or settlers are about to be wiped out due to such stupidity when a scout, experienced cowboy, or half breed Indian steps in and saves the day by showing everyone how to fight like an Indian.
Three classic stories that best illustrate this theme are Arrowhead with Charlton Heston, Fort Apache with Henry Fonda and John Wayne, and The Last Wagon with Richard Widmark.
The introduction in a story of a man who knows Indians, although not usually politically correct, allows the author or director to explain the motives or tactics of an otherwise unfathomable enemy. Typically the hero was either raised by or married to an Indian and can therefore relate to their plight. Describing the character's personal experiences allows the author to paint a more sympathetic portrait of the enemy, although of course the purpose of this hero is to help his own people fight them.
Inherent in this theme of course is the portrayal of the command structure as inherently wrong. Stupidity, stubborness, ignorance or racism all create a situation where the enemy (Indians) are about to win. "If we could only reason with them and talk to them like Christians"
is a favorite line, usually followed by a white flag, or perhaps a Bible held high by some holier- than-thou preacher, who is then often greeted with an arrow in the chest or a bullet to the head. The "Man Who Knows Indians" could see this coming but no one will listen to him as he is often viewed as an outcast, or someone who is racial interior for "knowing Indians" in the first place. It isn't until it is almost too late that he is finally listened to and allowed to save the day.
Perhaps if one considers the events of today this theme isn't as out of date as one might suspect. You only have to listen to the far left liberal politicians and others who suggest that we sit down with the terrorists and try to talk things out like good Christians. (Sound familiar?)
When a terrorist leader is killed everyone feels safer, but nobody wants to know who authorized it or is willing to take credit for the initiative.
There is now abundant evidence that the Clinton administration had several opportunities to eliminate Osam Bin Laden well before 911, yet failed to heed the advice of those military men who "knew the terrorists". This same group of military- hating pacifists are once again urging us, the beleagured settlers, to abandon the trained "indian fighters" who know the enemy, and instead to try and seek friendly solutions. Just as Fort Apache's Col. Friday (Henry Fonda)died after failing to heed the advice of a trained Indian fighter, (John Wayne), and just as Neville Chamberlain's appeasment policies led to a stronger Nazi Germany, such a course will merely embolden our enemies. Perhaps we should all read more westerns before voting in '08

Code of the West

Gene Autry's Cowboy Code of Honor:

1. A cowboy never takes unfair advantage - even of an enemy

2. A cowboy never betrays a trust. He never goes back on his word

3. A cowboy always tells the truth

4. A cowboy is kind and gentle to small children, old folks, and animals

5. A cowboy is free from racial and religious intolerances

6. A cowboy is always helpful when someone is in trouble

7. A cowboy is always a good worker

8. A cowboy respects womanhood, his parents, and his nation's laws

9. A cowboy is clean about his person, in thought, word and deed

10. A cowboy is a patriot



Wild Bill Hickock's Deputy Marshall's Code of Conduct:

1. I will be brave, but never careless

2. I will obey my parents. They DO know best

3. I will be neat and clean at all times

4. I will be polite and courteous

5. I will protect the weak and help them

6. I will study hard

7. I will be kind to animals and care for them

8. I will respect my flag and my country

9. I will attend my place of worship regularly



The Lone Ranger's Creed:

1. I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one

2. That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world

3. That God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself

4. In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right

5. That a man should make the most of what equipment he has

6. That "this government of the people, by the people, and for the people, "shall live always"

7. That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number

8. That sooner or later...somewhere...somehow...we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken

9. That all things change but the truth, and the truth alone, lives on forever

10. I believe in my Creator, my country, my fellow man



John Wayne, The Shootist:



1. I won't be wronged

2. I won't be insulted.

3. I won't be laid a hand on.

4. I don't do these to other people.

5. I require the same from them



Hopalong Cassidy's Creed for American Boys and Girls:



1. The highest badge of honor a person can wear is honesty. Be truthful at all times.
2. Your parents are the best friends you have. Listen to them and obey their instructions.
3. If you want to be respected, you must respect others. Show good manners in every way.
4. Only through hard work and study can you succeed. Don't be lazy.
5. Your good deeds always come to light. So don't boast or be a show-off.
6. If you wastetime and money today, you will regret it tomaorrow. Practice thrift in all ways.
7. Many animals are good and loyal companions. Be friendly and kind to them.
8. A strong, healthy body is a precious gift. Be neat and clean.
9. Our country's laws are made for your protection. Observe them carefully.
10. Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you. Be glad and proud that you are an American.

Roy Roger's Riders Club Rules:

1. Be neat and clean
2. Be courteous and polite
3. Always obey your parents
4. Protect the weak and help them
5. Be brave but never take chances
6. Study hard and learn all you can
7. Be kind to animals and care for them
8. Eat all your food and never waste any
9. Love God and go to Sunday School regularly
10. Always respect our flag and country

Texas Rangers "Deputy Ranger" Oath:

1. Be alert
2. Be obedient
3. Defend the weak
4. Never desert a friend
5. Never take unfair advantage
6. Be neat
7. Be truthful
8. Uphold Justice
9. Live cleanly
10. Have faith in God