Country Lifestyles
Will James — The Tale of a French-Canadian boy turned American Cowboy
By Jessica Crabtree
The tale of Will James’ life is one of heartache. The truly talented artist and author was plagued by anxiety, self-doubt, self-worth and the underlying need to sooth his yearning for the lifestyle he had desired so badly since boyhood.
Will James was born Joseph Ernest Nephtali Dufault on June 6, 1892, in a small village in the southern province of Quebec. The second of his name was adopted for family use. His parents, Jean and Josephine Dufault were French Canadians bearing six children, three boys and three girls. Ernest was the second child.
In his formative years the family lived in St. Nazaire, a rural area with an uncle close who had a farm. Ernest showed an affinity to drawing as a young child, always sketching portraits of horses, cows and dogs. The Dufault family seemed to roam, living in various places looking to better themselves with opportunity. The Dufault children received a standard education of French-Canadian Roman Catholic that most youth did. Having had an education up to the eighth grade, Ernest developed a love for both the picture and word, and in any leisure time would be reading or sketching.
All the Dufault children had artistic ability, but only Ernest pursued it at any length. By the age of 15 Ernest was infatuated with the idea of living in the Western Frontier and was sure he wanted to seek out a life there. His parents were very much against the idea of their son leaving home; however, over time they realized their son’s persistence wasn’t just a “boyish childhood” dream. The two gave the 15-year-old their blessing and the summer of 1907 he left his childhood home to pursue his dreams.
His transition wasn’t an easy one, leaving his French speaking home of Quebec to entering the English speaking area of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Sourcing the book, “Will James — The Life and Works of a Lone Cowboy,” little is known about this part of Ernest’s life. What is known is this was his first real contact with horses, the animal he was so enamored with. Western Canada allowed the youth both time and guidance for learning the language and ways of the cowboy, but to the aspiring cowboy, the real cowboy he longed to be needed to head for the American West.
To read more pick up a copy of the March 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe to NTFR call 940-872-5922.
James working on a piece in 1935. (Photo from book “Will James- The Life and Works of a Lone Cowboy.”
Will James, artist and author. 1892-1942. (Photo from book “Will James- The Life and Works of a Lone Cowboy.”
By: Martha Crump
Most cattle producers can tell you quite a lot about balancing cattle diets for energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals based on the specific needs for their herd and type of operation.
A key factor, and one that is often overlooked, is that how your animals perform is also directly affected by their water intake.
Now many of you may already be thinking “well of course water is necessary, anybody knows that!”
In many years, as September marches into October, we are beginning to experience some return of rainfall. But as many of us know, that is not always the case. Often we are still experiencing hot and dry weather, and water supplies are dwindling.
When we find ourselves experiencing those types of fall conditions, it is critical to not only understand the daily water requirements for cattle, but also the impact that the quality of water can have on herd health and development.
To read more, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Annette Bridges
A friend and I were recently talking about our husbands. She made a comment that I felt also perfectly described me and my hubby.
“He slows me and I hurry him. I’m sure that is why we do well together,” she said.
“Precisely!” I thought. Why?
Because when two different worlds collide, it can be magical.
No matter what those two different worlds are- a man and a woman with very different personalities, beliefs, or backgrounds, two partners with contrasting passions, strengths, or talents, or when a country boy marries a city girl.
To read more, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Watauga, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth, is known for its rich history as a railroad stop, but over the course of the last year, one teen girl has put it on the map for agriculture as well. Emma Harvey has lived in Tarrant County her entire life. Despite being highly involved in her local 4-H chapter, she still felt there was more she could do. In the spring of 2023, she stepped up to the plate to take over the title of Tarrant County Teen Miss Agriculture USA.
“It all started when I put in an application for the teen title here in Tarrant County,” explained Harvey.
The Miss Agriculture USA program is a national non-profit, age-inclusive pageant program that offers both competition and non-competition titles to women dedicated to the promotion of agriculture.
Read more in the October issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available online and in print. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive NTFR in your inbox each week.
Photo by Hannah Claxton.
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