I just finished reading a delightful book by Will Rogers titled The Cowboy Philosopher on Prohibition. Using liberal doses of the Bible, Rogers made a thoughtful and humorous argument against the alcohol ban. The book made me realize how little I really knew about the man and so naturally I had to do some research.
Will Rogers was born in Indian Territory in 1879 to a prominent Cherokee family. Rogers quipped that his ancestors did not come over on the Mayflower. Instead they “met the boat”
He learned cowboying from the ranch hands on his father’s Dog Iron Ranch. Cherokee freedman Dan Walker taught him roping, which later proved to be his road to success.
Quick to learn ranching, he was in his own words a poor student, saying that he “studied the Fourth Reader for ten years.” He was much more interested in cowboys and horses. Much of his later humor involved both.
“You know horses are smarter than people. You never heard of a horse going broke betting on people.”
H
e left home to work on a Texas ranch, where he was known for his lassoing abilities. He then tried to make it as a ranch owner in Argentina, but when he ran out of money, he traveled to South Africa. There, he joined Texas Jack’s Wild West Circus.”
He rode broncos, but his real talent was throwing lassoes. He didn’t just throw one rope; he threw three, and his trick of lassoing a horse’s neck, legs, and the rider all at the same time earned rave reviews.
“Best doctor in the world is a veterinarian. He can’t ask his patients what’s the matter. He’s just got to know.”
He re
turned to America in 1904 and joined the vaudeville circuit. During his trip to Madison Square Gardens, a wild steer broke out of the arena and began climbing the viewing stands. Rogers roped the steer to the delight of the crowd. The feat got front-page attention from the newspapers, giving him valuable publicity and an audience eager to see more.
At first, he worked in silence, but when he discovered that audiences responded to his western drawl, he began ad-libbing. Soon people were lining up to hear his words of wisdom.
“Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.”
His folksy style enabled him to poke fun at politicians, gangsters, prohibition, and other controversial subjects in such a way that no one took offense. People were too busy laughing. Knowing that President Woodrow Wilson was in the audience during one performance, Rogers improvised a “roast” of presidential policies that had Wilson, and the entire audience, in stitches.
He went from being a cowboy to a vaudeville performer. Before lon
g, he was known as a humorist, newspaper columnist, social commentator, and humanitarian. As an entertainer, he traveled around the world three times and appeared in an astounding 71 movies. He also wrote six books, and more than 4000 syndicated newspaper columns.
Somehow, he still managed to marry and father four children. Who knows how much more he would have accomplished had he not died at the age of 56 in an airplane crash?
Fortunately, his witticisms live on and are just as relevant today as they were a hundred years ago when he first uttered them. The man who cautioned us to “always drink upstream from the herd,” also had a lot to say about politics, which could just as easily be written today.
- This would be a great time in the world for some man to come along that knew something.
- We shouldn’t elect a President. We should elect a magician.
- Both parties have their good times and bad times at different times. Good when they are out. Bad when they are in.
- I can’t see any advantage of having one of your own Party in as President… I would rather be able to criticize a man than to have to apologize for him.
- So much money is being spent on the campaigns that I doubt if either man, as good as they are, are worth what it will cost to elect them.
- The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.
What is your favorite Will Rogers’ quote?
Margaret has published more than 46 books and is a N.Y. Times Bestselling author and two-time Romance Writers of America Rita Finalist. She writes historical novels set--where else?--in the Old West! She has written for a day time soap and is currently working on a new series. Not bad for someone who flunked 8th grade English. Just don't ask her to diagram a sentence.
That’s really interesting! I’d never heard of him before now.
Hi Abigail, so glad you enjoyed. You’ve probably heard some of his sayings, and just didn’t know it. Take care.
That is likely true!
“I never met a man, I didn’t like.”
I loved your blog. When I was in junior high in 1983, (Yep telling my age), we went to Will Rogers Museum in Oklahoma City. We were at the NFR, one of my dad’s friends wife was competing in the barrel racing, so we went to cheer and support her.
Thanks for bringing back an awesome memory.
Hi Tonya, barrel racing sounds like fun. I’ll have to remember to visit that museum the next time I’m in Oklahoma City. Thank you for sharing.
Interesting post, and I do remember him.
Hi Quilt Lady, I’d heard his name through the years, but didn’t know anything about him. So glad I took the time to look him up.
Great blog! He led an amayzing life and left behind quite a legacy! I can’t think of any of his quotes this morning…
Hi Stephanie, yes, he did lead an amazing life and he did it with great humor.
Great post! I didn’t know much about him.
Thank you, Jess. I didn’t know much about him, either. So glad I had a chance to share his amazing accomplishments with others.
yes too bad he died so young – what a history he left behind though!
Hi Teresa, so true. He makes me feel like a slacker.
Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. I Like this one.
Hi Debra, I like that one, too.
I never knew all of this. Thanks for sharing. This quote always made me laugh, “always drink upstream from the herd”
Hi Janine, that one makes me laugh, too. Only a cowboy would come up with that.
Love the man, but I never knew all the deets. Thanks Margaret!
Thank YOU, Laura. for stopping by.
What a wise man! It seems he was good with common sense.
So true, Susan. Common sense is so rare these days. What a pity we have to go back in time to find it.
What a fun post, Margaret! I’ve known of Will Rogers for quite some time, but I never really knew much about him. I loved getting to know the man behind the personality today. Thank you!
Thank you, Karen. It was fun getting to know the man. His sayings are so numerous, it was hard picking out just a few.
Don’t let tomorrow use up too much of today.
Something like that. Thank you Margaret for such a wonderful blog today.
I loved reading about fascinating man Will Rogers. Would I enjoyed watching him rope!
Hi Kathy, you’re close. The actual quote is “Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” Though I think the same can be said for tomorrow.
You never know about me!
Margaret, Thank you for this interesting post!
You’re welcome, Caryl. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
We sure need someone like him today! I have always admired him!
You’re so right, Valri. Good old-fashioned horse sense is rare, these days.
So many great quotes. Thank you for sharing. I remember seeing something about him on PBS but much of what you shared was new to me.
You’re welcome, Alice. It was fun checking him out.
“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people that they don’t like.”
? Will Rogers
denise
So true. Nothing much has changed in that regard.
This is so very interesting, Thank you so much for sharing about Will Rogers, I enjoyed it.I really don’t know any quotes from him. Have a Great weekend and stay safe. God Bless you and your family.
Same to you, Alicia.
I have always enjoyed his quotes. I had heard some of what you posted, but there was much more to this man than I knew. He was talented in so many areas. It is really a shame he died so young. The country could have used his wit and wisdom for many more years. We could certainly benefit from pulling some of it (most of it) up now.
Thanks for the informative and enjoyable post
Stay safe and healthy.
You’re so right, Patricia. We sure could use more of his wisdom and wit. Thank you for stopping by and take care.