My “Western Heroes” have to be the cowboys on the old televisions westerns from the late 50’s, 60’s and into the 70’s. I grew up watching these shows and they had a huge influence on my life. My admiration of television westerns began when I was way too young to notice any man other than my father. My affection and attention at that point in my life was devoted to Trigger and Silver instead of Roy Rogers and “The Lone Ranger”. I still can’t hear the “William Tell Overture” without thinking about the opening to “The Lone Ranger”. As I grew older, my attention turned to the cowboys. I loved good-hearted Dan Blocker as “Hoss” on “Bonanaza”. It was a real treat to go to my grandparent's house and watch the show in color. However, I couldn’t help but notice that any woman who got involved with the Cartwright men met an untimely demise.

Gil Favor, Eric Fleming on “Rawhide” taught me that you could be tuff and still be likeable, and the importance of finishing what you start. “The Virginian” with James Drury, taught me more good old fashioned values. I was an avid fan in spite of the fact that the last half hour of the 90 minute show ran past my bedtime and I never got to watch the endings. “Laredo” came next with a genuine fondness for all of the original Texas Rangers; Reese, Joe, Chad and Captain Parmalee. These cowboys taught me the value of being there for your friends, never giving up and that sometimes it’s OK to bend the rules. The last show that caught my fancy was “The High Chaparral” and my favorite character was Uncle Buck, Cameron Mitchell. This show took me almost into my adulthood. It showed me the importance of families sticking together and looking out for each other.

I grew up during a time when it was OK to have a toy gun, some of them with plastic bullets that we somehow managed not to choke to death on. Half of the kids in the neighborhood had BB guns, but no one ever lost an eye or even had to be treated for a BB induced wound. We had coonskin caps, cowboy hats and boots, and played “Cowboys and Indians” outside, by ourselves and unsupervised. We rode through the west on bicycles with names like “Lightening”, “Flicka”, and “Old Paint”. Our cowboy heroes were an important part of our lives. I feel for the youth of today, with the current popular shows that now air on television. How sad to think that in order to emulate their favorite television hero they would need an autopsy kit!

© 2012 Kristie Allison

My real life hero was my Uncle Delmar Taylor, who died twenty years ago in Lakin, Kansas. Del was born about 1920 in or near Fargo, Oklahoma and always wanted to be a cowboy. He was a natural athlete with a powerful physique, and was recruited to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers. I don't know if he might have accepted because World War II interfered and he joined the marines, coming home in 1945. He still could have gone to professional baseball but he wanted to be a cowboy and went to work for a couple of brothers in Hansford County, Texas near Spearman. He soon became a foreman. Saving his money, he was able to buy his own spread near Lakin, Kansas sometime later.

He was successful ranching, and was a partner in one of the first feed lots in that area. He was a surrogate father to many boys going bad or about to go bad, displaying the manly cowboy way in all his deeds. Before his death he was asked to be Grand Marshal of the Kearney County (KS) Rodeo and accepted, but did not live long enough to enjoy the honor, although the members of his immediate family and several nephews like me attended the rodeo where Del was postumously recognized for his life and work. A nationally-known cowboy poet wrote and recited a poem about Del.

I'm told that when Del was dying somewhere around fifty men whose lives he had influenced came to see him and thank him. I was ashamed not to have been one of them, for he was a wonderful influence on my own life.

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For the gun fighters its john westly hardin, he was a lawyer too. for actors its a tie between robert duval and clint eastwood. as for music its willie nelson, justin mcbride and who could forget the immortal chris ledoux?

Well, In my opinion My favorite super hero is Christopher Reeve.

I'd have to say Chief Joseph ranks pretty high on my list. A wise and frankly peaceful man, he was the leader of a very resilient and proud people. He, along with other key Nez Perce leaders (some of whom may have been actually more directly responsible for tactical decisions), conducted a brilliant military retreat. Even Sherman was impressed stating that "the Indians throughout displayed a courage and skill that elicited universal praise... [they] fought with almost scientific skill, using advance and rear guards, skirmish lines, and field fortifications."
How he conducted himself with honor and aplomb and honor in the face of unbelievable hardship and overwhelming odds.
I honestly don't believe anyone else compares, although Kit Carson was certainly a huge hero (although sensationalized by dime novelists) to many a young boy in the late 19th century. But Carson was involved in some pretty heinous activities, particularly with respect to the removal of the Navajo.
In film, I always liked Ben "Son" Johnson. He was the real thing and a good guy. A successful man that never forgot his roots and lived in accordance with his convictions.

Audie Murphy. 'nuff said.

Wild Bill Hickok. Soldier, gunfighter, lawman, gambler What's not to love and admire :)

First, let me say I do not intend to cause any problems nor hurt anyone's feelings. However, perhaps the Deputy Editor should re-phrase the question. If we are going to ask about a favorite hero, we should look at the meaning of the word "Hero."

In today's world, we see sports figures, movie actors, politicians, and others being treated like heroes. They are not. They may be idols, but they certainly are not heroes. Sorry, Bullrider123, but those gentlemen you mention are indeed great at their sport. But, they are not necessarily heroes.

Today's heroes are those wearing the uniform of our nation, going in harm's way. They are those wearing the white gowns of a surgeon, operating on a child in East Africa. They are those attempting to bring an education to the youth of our world.
They are those with a helmet on their head, strapped to a rocket, going out into the unknown.

Yes, there were heroes, many heroes, in our West. Men like Lewis & Clark (my favorites) that went into an unknown landscape, unsure of what they faced, not knowing if they would ever return. Then there are the mountain men that followed them, though I consider them doing so more for personal gain than any humanitarian reason.

Following this, most of the West was explored, trails mapped and towns developed for financial gain. I don't consider that as being heroic.

I feel there were some of the western law makers were heroes, but not most.

Of course, there were the soldiers. However, if a military leader like Custer or Fetterman performed in a heroic manner only to further their own personal career, is that truly heroic?

The settlers were faced with a task that took heroic efforts but does that make them heroes? Strong and brave folks, surely. But not heroes.

Also, how about on the “other side?” Were men like Crazy Horse, Dull Knife, and Cochise not heroes to their people?

A hero is one that does something for mankind, or for a brother in arms, with no intent for gain, no intent for publicity or fame. They act simply because it is something that needs to be done, for the safety of others or the betterment of mankind.

So, while we can name many we may consider heroes, we should ensure the label is appropriate.

Here is a short list of some in our Western history I consider heroes;

Lewis & Clark
John C Fremont (though he was driven by political ambitions)
Lieutenant Charles Gatewood
Margaret (Molly) Brown
Dr. Charles Eastmen
Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy

There are many more past and present, but the list has to end somewhere, so I will stop there. These folks were indeed heroes and should be treated as such.

Lane frost and tuff herderman are my heros the to gratest bull riders of all time in my book