Day Five of the Big Snowstorm, and this story seemed timely. Discovered it this week, snowed in and running across various and sundry articles about early horsewomen (unfortunately termed "cowgirls," not unlike their male counterparts; I say this only because I think taking care of cattle is not really the same as being a horseperson, but that's my soapbox).If any of you (and who hasn't) have heard the Michael Martin Murphey song "Wildfire," you know the poignant, haunting story of a woman who died trying to save her pony from a horrible snowstorm. Nothing prepared me for it to be a true story, and from my bit of research I doubt Mr. Murphey knew it either when he wrote it.
You can read about it HERE, where I found these wonderful images, along with other historical and not-so-objective accounts of other early western women, many of whom were apparently named "Prairie Rose," stirring confusion into an already colorful, ever unwinding feminine story.
Stay warm, lovies! But no promises on keeping the eyes dry.
That's quite a touching story. Poor Rose. Sounds like she had an exciting youth, but was saddled with a no-good bully when she married Charley.
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