Chronicle of the Old West - Living the Code

In the Old West, there was an unwritten code of behavior. This code was passed on both verbally, and by the actions of men and women. Western writer Zane Grey first chronicled it as the “Code of the West.” This code stressed integrity, self-reliance and accountability. It relied on cooperation with neighbors in finding solutions to problems.

Thankfully, this “code” is alive and well today. Not only individuals, but city and county governments are operating based on this code of behavior.

We at Chronicle of the Old West believe strongly that this code was important in making the United States the preeminent country it is today. And its continued practice is important in making sure we continue as a strong democratic country.

We have taken the various elements of “The Code,” condensed them and did a little modernizing of the words. But lest you fret, they maintain the same power that they did 150 years ago.

Click HERE to see an expanded version of The Code.

We all have a friend, or maybe even more than one friend, who always seems to have things happen to them. If there’s one cow pie in the field, they step in it. Or maybe they get curious about things like, “What would happen if I lassoed a buffalo?”

Well, I have such a friend. His name is Cowboy Joe. Every time I see him, he has another story to tell. But, the great thing about Cowboy Joe is that even though he gets himself into some of the strangest situations, he’s philosophical about them. For instance, after stepping in that cow pie, he learned that you have to watch where you step when there’s a lot of bull around. As for lassoing the buffalo, well, I don’t think anyone’s that stupid.

What I’m going to do here is to pass on to you some of the stories that Cowboy Joe has told me. I cannot vouch for their authenticity, but quite possibility, we can learn from them anyway.

Our current Living the Code story...

BE OF GOOD COURAGE

Theodore Roosevelt - Be of Good Courage Before Theodore Roosevelt became the President of the United States he was a cowboy and rancher. As a boy Roosevelt was sickly and fearful. Later in life he wrote the following:

“When a boy, I read a passage in one of Marryat’s books which always impressed me. In this passage the captain of some small British man-of-war is explaining to the hero how to acquire the quality of fearlessness. He says that at the outset almost every man is frightened when he goes into action, but that the course to follow is for the man to keep such a grip on himself that he can act just as if he were not frightened. After this is kept up long enough, it changes from pretense to reality, and the man does in very fact become fearless by sheer dint of practicing fearlessness when he does not feel it.

“This was the theory upon which I went. There were all kinds of things of which I was afraid at first, ranging from grizzly bears to ‘mean’ horses and gunfighters; but by acting as if I was not afraid I gradually ceased to be afraid. Most men can have the same experience if they choose.”

Go the distance.

If you want to read past stories, click HERE.

If you would like to get more information about Living The Code and its importance in the United States becoming the preeminent nation that it presently is, visit www.LivingTheCode.org.

Click HERE to see an expanded version of The Code.