“A man’s got to have a code, a creed to live by, no matter his job.” ~John Wayne
The Code of the West is alive and well today!
When I began writing western historical romances, I had to do some serious research on the old west. It became quickly apparent that every account of the men and women who came out to the new frontier during the westward expansion of the United States were bound by a special caveat that ruled their conduct … not by written laws. Being a native Texan, I grew up with these unspoken policies being pounded in my head, but never thought about them being anything but doing what is right whether you can legally get by with it or not. I never thought about “The Lone Ranger” being a perfect example of a hero living by homespun laws and a gentleman’s agreement.
Almost every article about the Code of the West attributes the famous western writer, Zane Grey, as the first chronicler of the unwritten laws in his 1934 novel aptly titled The Code of the West. The resilient, heroic trailblazers who forged west and learned to live in the rough and tough country were bound by these understood rules that centered on integrity, fair play, loyalty, hospitality, and respect for the land. For these pioneers, their survival depended largely upon their ability to coexist with their neighbors, their rivals, and their peers.
A cowman might break every written law on the books if deemed necessary, but took pride in upholding his own code of ethics. Failure to abide by the unwritten law of the land didn’t necessarily bring formal punishment, but the man who broke it basically became a social outcast. Losing a man’s honor was considered a fate worse than being hanged.
I read a very technical, yet interesting, article where historians and social theorists explained the evolution of the Code of the West. How it was a result of centuries-old English common law. The paper explained the code’s elements which includes “no duty to retreat”, “the imperative of personal self-redress”, “homestead ethics”, and “ethic of individual enterprise.”
Although informative and logical, it sounded a little stiff, so here’s my explanation of the code as it applies today as it did in the Old West.
1. Mind your own business;
2. Keep your hands to yourself; if it isn’t yours, don’t touch it;
3. Be loyal, modest, courageous, friendly, and respectful; and
4. Live by the Golden Rule.
There are many practical, and some quite humorous, interpretations, I’ve come across.
Remove your guns before sitting at the dining table.
Always drink your whiskey with your gun hand, to show your friendly intentions.
Never try on another man’s hat.
Tend to your horse’s needs before your own, regardless of how weary and hungry you might be from a long day in the saddle.
Be loyal to your “brand,” your friends, and those you ride with.
Cuss all you want, but only around men, horses, and cows.
Defend yourself whenever necessary and look out for your own; but never shoot an unarmed or unwarned enemy. Known as “the rattlesnake code”, always warn before you strike.
And, never shoot a woman, no matter what.
Don’t inquire into a person’s past.
Take the measure of a man for what he is today.
Be pleasant even when out of sorts. Complaining is for quitters, and a cowboy hates quitters.
When approaching someone from behind, give a loud greeting (call to camp) before you get within shooting range.
After you pass someone on the trail, don’t look back…it implies you don’t trust him.
Be modest. A braggart who is “all gurgle and no guts” is intolerable.
Honest is absolute–your word is your bond, a handshake is more binding than a contract.
There are hundreds of “do’s and don’t” that the pioneers and cowboys honored because of the informal code they lived by. What are some of your favorites?
I’m giving away an autographed copy of your choice (either GIVE ME A TEXAN or GIVE ME A COWBOY) to one lucky commenter today. If you already have both, they make nice Christmas gifts for someone. Hint, hint!
Watch for our next anthology, GIVE ME A TEXAS RANGER, that releases July 2010! It features stories once again by Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, DeWanna Pace, and myself.
Hi Phylliss! Welcome to Petticoats & Pistols! “The Code of the West” is why I love westerns, and why men of the West make such great heroes.
I like the rule that says, “Take the measure of a man for what he is today.” The West was all about second chances.
Never steal another man’s horse.
Never shoot a man in the back.
hi Phyliss, welcome to the Junction today. What a wonderful post. I love the one about not trying on another man’s hat. It has so many implications.
Best wishes, and come again.
Great post. I love westerns. Merry Christmas!
Blessings
I enjoyed the post very much. I like this one.
Honest is absolute – your word is your bond, a handshake is more binding than a contract. Have a wonderful and safe holiday season.
Good morning, ladies. Thank you so much for inviting me back to Petticoats and Pistols. I absolutely agree with you, Victoria, the Code is why we love to read and write westerns and make sure our heroes abide by the Code. Second chances…great insight. Gotta add that to my list of favorites.
Laurie, definitely never steal a horse and certainly not shoot a man in the back. Kinda a keep your hands off other folk’s “stuff”, for sure.
Tanya, thanks for dropping by. I came across a link about why a cowboy didn’t put their hats on their bed, but couldn’t find it when I began this article. Other than the obvious reason, so it didn’t get crushed, I think it had something to do with a superstition. Anybody know the reason?
Thanks April and Linda, and Merry Christmas to you all. I’m particularly fond of “your word is your bond”, and in our part of the woods, it’s still alive and well.
I really like “Be pleasant even when out of sorts. Complaining is for quitters, and a cowboy hates quitters.” Don’t complainers drive us all nuts. I even drive myself nuts when I hear me doing it.
Love this, Phyliss! It sums up what our heroes, heroines and stories are all about. If more people followed the same codes today, the world would be a better place.
Thanks for an uplifting start to my day.
Great post, Phyliss! Always a pleaasure to have you with us in the Junction.
what a great post…i would love to read either book…thanks for the opportunity
Great post Phyliss. Those rules sort of define what our heros are all about don’t they.
Morning Phyliss,
I’m running late today. That pillow spray you put in my gift bag is worth a fortune! OMG, I slept like a baby! And in the same spot for the whole night. Never turned over once.
Thanks for filling in for me today. I sure appreciate it.
I love your blog. We sometimes need the reminder of how to be respectful, caring, and appreciative of others. We live in such a busy world we often forget what we were taught as kids and what we need to be teaching our kids and grandkids. Especially the one about cussing only in the presence of men, horses, and cows. LOL I’ve never heard so much profanity coming from these kids today. I’d like to wash their mouths with soap. Lye soap, strong and powerful, that would make them think twice about letting these horrible words fly.
Great seeing you yesterday!
I thought of one more that you might add to the list: Don’t stir up dust around the campfire. I’ve heard this one all my life, especially when we were out camping. LOL No one wants dirt in their chow.
Thanks, Rebekah, Elizabeth, Cheryl, Karen and Winnie for your welcome and kind comments. I’m always thrilled to have the privilege to be a part of P&P.
I’m a huge complainer in private … especially when I get copy edits … right Linda? But, my own complaining makes me crazy, as I can’t stand it in others. I want to say either do it or hush up! I guess I should do the ol’ “physician hell thyself” thing.
Totally agree that if people, especially the younger generation, remembered to live by the code, there’d be less discord.
And, Linda glad the spray worked! For those who wonder what in the heck we’re talking about–for Christmas I’m giving my friends a “a night of relaxation” basket. I put in an fantastic, autographed book by a fellow author, a candle, a small box of chocolates, a selection of tea, and a bottle of one of my favorite things, pillow spray from Bath and Body Works. It’s part of their aromatherapy line, and it’ll absolutely make you sleep like a baby. Or your body thinks so! It’s always a pleasure to spend time with you, Linda, especially since we always manage to find time for lunch!
Welcome to the Junction, Phyliss! Great post. When we lived in Texas (long enough to be “naturalized”) I learned that a handshake is a legally binding agreement – as good as a written contract.
My favorite western code: a lady is a lady, regardless of what she’s had to do to survive.
Isn’t it interesting how many of those “codes” still exist today? Fascinating post, Phyliss.
Great post I loved it. This one was great. Always drink your whiskey with your gun hand, to show your friendly intentions. Mind your own business, this is one we all need to follow from time to time even in this day. I think if we use these codes today we would be better off.
Cuss all you want, but only around men, horses, and cows… I never heard that one before!
I enjoyed this post!!! Thanks for sharing…
Great post, Miranda. Love the “code of the west.” My dad (an old cowboy himself) always told us girls: Keep your nose clean and to the grindstone. It hasn’t failed me yet.
Merry Christmas!
Neat blog, Phyliss! How fun to remember that we have our own ‘code of the west’ and that we really aren’t that differnt from the tried and true guys in our values. (Minus the guns, of course.)I had to chuckle about drinking with your guns on. That was one I heard about a lot in stories. Thanks for taking us back and putting hours of great research into a neat summary.
Phyliss, I think complaining about copy edits, no matter how light or heavy they are, is pretty normal. We hate to face the fact that what we write isn’t always golden apples from God.
Glad you’re enjoying being here. It’s always a pleasure to have you.
Welcome, Miss Miranda, it’s good to see you here
today!
As native Texans, we’ve heard of the Code of the
West. It’s good to see these values again!
Pat Cochran
Oh that is so what is missing from today’s world – just not enough “real” cowboys (sigh).
I love westerns too,no one can make a western like John Wayne,Tom Selleck what a man!A man in a stetson is just so sexy,dust an all,thanks for the wonderful post!
I love the thought about not stirring up dusk. If you view it from today’s perspective, it sure applies, huh? Tracy, where did you live in Texas? Love your addition to the code. So true.
Thanks Mary Beth, Carla, and Miss Molly for stopping by. I know all three of you ladies were raised by parents who believed in the Code and lived it. And, a big howdy to another native Texan, Pat.
I thought the part about drinking whiskey with only your gun hand was interesting, too, Quilt Lady. Thanks for sharing, you all.
Great post, Phyllis! I think respect is my favorite part of the code. It’s something we all need to remember.
Enjoyed your post, Phyliss. Right after I got married my husband mentioned that my dad really could let loose with cussing. I was shocked. I had never heard Dad cuss my entire life. I can’t remember any of the men in my family cussing in front of the ladies. Those “codes” are real, and were taken seriously for many generaitons. I have to believe there are fathers today who still believe in the “code of the west”, and their sons who admire them for it.
Thanks Jennie and Nat, and I agree on the respect part of the code. That’s too funny about never hearing your father cuss, Nat, but I’m not sure I ever heard mine except for using the proverbal Texasiums. We could do a whole post on cussing without using cuss words like son-of-a-gun and the like! I believe the code is alive and well in most families, thanks to our fathers and mothers who believed.
Great post!
This is my favorite:
Be modest. A braggart who is “all gurgle and no guts” is intolerable.
This could be straight from code book of Finns.
Love the info in today’s blog. My hubby is not known as a cusser but one evening a group he shoots archery league with had to tell me that they had finally heard him cuss. He was not shooting particularly well that night and after a really bas shot he was heard to say,’oh, for corn’s sake!’ I loved it!
Be loyal to your “brand,” your friends, and those you ride with.
This one speaks to me and I totally understand it’s meaning. We had a brand for the cows.
this is interesting for a post and thanks for joining us today.
I also love the braggard statement, Minna. Connie, how funny! That is a keeper for sure. Robyn, the statement loyal to your brand sure does apply today, as much as a hundred plus years ago, doesn’t it?
Thank you all for inviting me to guest blog, thanks for joining in on the discussion. What great fun. I pray each of you have a wonderful holiday season, and I look forward to blogging with you all soon. Hugs from Texas, Phyliss
Nice post, Phyliss,
“Take the measure of a man for what he is today.”
I think this is something we all fail to remember to do sometimes. We have all made mistakes. We shouldn’t have to pay for it forever. If we have recognized the mistake, are sorry, and have lived a good life since, that mistake should be forgiven and laid to rest. If a person is trying to turn their life around, they should be helped, not hindered.
Hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season!
Thanks, Patricia. Good solid advice. I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday, too!