A Bride Goes West

A Bride Goes West

by Nannie T. Alderson

and Helena H. Smith An auto biography of a cowboy's wife in 1882, when Montana was just being settled.

She was born in Virginia in 1860, Nannie's father was said to be the first Confederate officer to die in the War Between the States.

Nannie married Walt Alderson, a young cowboy from Kansas. When he was 13 he ran away from home and went to Texas. Being good with horses he naturally drifted into becoming a cowboy.

After they were married they moved to Montana to start a cattle ranch. Nannie, being raised without having to do much housework, had to learn quite a bit. All she learned about cooking was from the helpful cowboys, whom were hired on their ranch.

I think this statement from the end of the book really sums it all up,

"...my friends tell me I led a hard life. Perhaps-but I don't think an easy one is ever half so full."