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New, untold anecdotes about Will Rogers
revealed by a friend who has known him
for thirty years
by GUY WEADICK
Years Back, When cow ranches were the rule rather than the exception in Oklahoma, the C V ranch headquarters was located at Oolagah, about twelve miles north of what is now Claremore, Oklahoma.
It was owned by C. V. Rogers, better known as "Uncle Clem" Rogers, a quarter-breed Cherokee and one of the outstanding men of the Cherokee Nation, a man whose efforts were responsible for many of the advancements made by that tribe, and in whose honor, Rogers County, Oklahoma was named.
On this ranch, November 7, 1879 was born to Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Rogers a son. He was christened Will, but for years was known throughout the neighborhood as "that ropin' Rogers kid."
It was only natural, being raised in the ranch and range atmosphere of the period, that young Rogers should become proficient in horsemanship as well as in the use of the lariat or "rope." While still in his teens, his father staked him to a brand, the Dog iron, and a bunch of cattle.
Although Will was an adept in the use of the "rope" in the usual routine of ranch work, he early displayed a deep interest in the art of
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Will Rogers is a great cowboy contest fan and still continues to keep his hand in at trick roping. Some claim he is the best fancy roper in the world
That ROPIN'
ROGERS KID
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When Will Rogers received a command from the Kaiser to put on his act he said: "I'm an American citizen an' there ain't nobody got any right to command me to do anything"
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"trick" roping as it was called. In other words, the spinning of a rope and making what is known as "fancy" catches. He practiced this style of roping to such an extent that soon he could execute all the tricks known in that section. Next he figured out new stunts until he was considered far in advance of any roper of that style in that part of the Territory.
In 1899 he attended his first cowboy contest (rodeo or stampede as they are called today). It was held in St. Louis and offered the largest cash purses ever offered for a cowboy contest, up to that time.
Along about this time stories began to drift into the Southwest — where the settlers were beginning to cut up the cattle range — regarding the advantages offered to cowmen, in South America. Rogers had just come of age and he decided to go south of the equator and look over the prospects, so in 1901 he sailed for the Argentine.
After spending a few months in the land of the gauchos, Will sailed for South America with a bunch of stock. Upon his arrival there he made the acquaintance of an American named "Texas Jack" who was operating a Wild West Show. Shortly after, Rogers and his trick roping exhibition became
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