A Cowboy and a Friend

Back in the early '80's
When the good old west was young
From out of the east came a stranger
Who thru' the years was dearly beloved.

The stranger's name was William
But for short, we called him Bill;
For this was the way of us cowboys
Who roped and rode with Bill.

He first stopped at Jack McCrorys
Where for several years he stayed
And all was well until he met Pete Ferguson,
Then things began to change

Him and Pete took to liken' each other
And one morning bright and clear
They asked for their time and rode out to old Agard's
A small ranch a few miles from there.

At Old Agard's they made their headquarters.
Raisin' sheep was their hobby then,
And makin' good, a few years later
They went and moved west again.

Together with several others,
They located-him and Pete,
Where the cattle could graze unmolested,
Where the Cedar and the Cannonball meet.

After years of hard work and saving,
Where once just an old shack stood
You'll now find a ranch worth remembering,
"Cause old Billy had finally made good.

Now, we who rode with old Bill,
We who have shared his abode,
Have been proud of his success and friendship,
A proudness, no story has told.

"Old Billy" was known all over;
From the "D.L" to the Turkey Track,
From Dogtooth Butte to old Al Clarkson,
Who lived down at Kelly's Pass.

His passing away was a sad one
To the old timers he's leaving behind,
And we hope that when our days are ended
We'll meet old Billy at the end of our last long ride.

Now you've gone from us, Old Timer,
Gone to that Heavenly rest.
You'll take with you, a memory, I'm sure,
Of the boys of that Golden West.

Written by A. Thiele, for William Colville, Taken from Morristown World March 14, 1930