Includes bibliographical references (p. [159]-196) and index.
"Cowboys, Gentlemen, and Cattle Thieves underscores the immense contribution of American "frontiermanship" to the Canadian west. Men and women, horses and equipment came north from Montana and other states; including notorious outlaws like the Sundance Kid." "Warren Elofson challenges traditional views that Canadian ranching society was a microcosm of the "Old World," arguing that the greatest influence on ranchers and settlers was the need to deal with the frontier environment. He makes it clear that the frontier was ultimately developed by the men and women who started family ranches and farms. By adoptng intensive agricultural practices, they carved a permanent place in rural western Canada, insuring that they and others like them would occupy the land long after most of the "cattle barons" had faded into the records of history."--BOOK JACKET.