The Code of the West

“The Old West is not a certain place in a certain time;

It is a state of mind.  It is whatever you want it to be.”  Tom Mix

Having grown up in Texas, it was not a given that I would identify with the Wild West however it was my father’s immense Zane Grey book collection that romantically pulled me into this genre.  My dad’s workshop/library held a timeless fascination. Inside that oh-so-magical place, when in the 1950’s rotary phones were considered high-tech; this was the place where I was transported back in time.  Aside my dad’s WWII footlocker, in his over-stuffed chair with the spicy fragrance of cedar, just as millions of readers before and after me, read Zane Grey’s compelling old west adventures.  Glued to every page, I could easily imagine his colorful characters that were eventually dwarfed by his magnificent landscapes.  In complete awe and in retrospect, I know now that Mr. Grey sent me my first Arizona calling card.  In fact, in 1974, my husband and I moved our young family to Tempe, AZ. Then in 1985, when we relocated to the beautiful White Mountains, I fondly recall thinking, “At long last, I am home.”  To this day, the highly integrus character of Zane Grey's heroes continues to speak to me and is embedded within. 

Zane Grey’s novels inspired the early ideas of western life as he defined the frontier’s myth and folklore.  His tales depicted a source of sublime imagery with stories that came richly alive. He brilliantly asked his characters to interact with nature’s beauty and they delightfully complied.  He captured the unique and sacred spirit that freely abounds in the west. It is true that his novels also set the format for cowboy movies when in 1916; he sold the film rights for “Riders of the Purple Sage.”  As the decades rolled on, nearly fifty of his novels were converted into over one hundred films. The strong, silent and highly moral cowboy bound by the unwritten code of the west, exquisitely acted by either Tom Mix, Randolph Scott or Gary Cooper forever forged strength and overcoming into our hearts and minds.  From his books and on the silver screen, he shaped how the world perceived the Old West. You MUST read The Rainbow’s Trail, The Code of the West; oh the list goes on and on…gives yourself the gift of Zane Grey.

As I wax nostalgia, there were additional western stories adapted to the then-new field of television and certainly they helped to popularize this new media. Shows such as the Tales of Wells Fargo, Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, Maverick, Zane Grey Theatre by Dick Powell, The Lone Ranger and then in the early sixties, a colorized Bonanza were weekly standards in our home!  Lest we overlook the 4^th longest running TV western called Rawhide and for some trivia, did you know that Clint Eastwood wore the same boots in Rawhide( 1959-1965) as he did in Unforgiven(1991)? Speaking of the big screen and also of the fifties, films like Davy Crockett, The Blazing Sun, Broken Arrow, Gunfight at the OK Corral, Good Day for A Hanging were only a few of the stand-outs. I would be remiss if I did not include the toe-tapping musicals Oklahoma and Annie Get Your Gun.  With a maiden name of Oakley, yes like Annie Oakley, but no relation, I was not a sharp-shooter or even a cowgirl but I could sing all their songs. 

Saturday mornings found me faithfully watching Roy Rogers and Gene Autry tame the west.  Plus I actually met Hopalong Cassidy at the Clover Lake Dairy where he autographed my lunchbox! Yes, that is cheesy but oh so much fun.  However tracing back to the prime reasons I fell in love with the Western Way of Life was inspired not only by Zane Grey’s stories, but the core values of the western way of life.  I identified with being self-reliant which is a strong western characteristic, the ability to overcome life challenges, to pioneer something worthwhile, and the aptitude to make a difference.  These unwritten rules of the Wild West were quite refined and this creed mirrors the Salt of the Earth Principles and will increase one’s quality of life in today’s world.  In fact, Living Well in 2010 can be based on the code of the west.  Per Zane Grey, it is as follows: 

Live Each Day with Courage
Take Pride in Your Work 
Always Finish What you Start  
Do What has to Done
Be Tough but Fair
When You Make a Promise Keep It
Talk less & Say More
 Remember that Some Things Are Not For Sale
Know Where to Draw The Line
 If Needed, Help A Neighbor Get Back On His Feet
 Endure Hardships without Complaining ~Don’t Make Excuses
 Be Cheerful  ~Be Strong  ~Be Accountable
 Be Generous with your Life & With Your Resources
Live By the Golden Rule.”

                                                                                 Indeed, it is an honor to live in the West. 
             The Code of the West's rich heritage affords everyone to live admirably thereby furthering its values around the world.

By Sharyn Jordan Hathcock ~ Author, The Home Whisperer & Wellness Advocate.