High Country

by Rutherford G. Montgomery

Montgomery was one of America's most popular outdoor writers when The Derrydale Press published this book for the first time in 1938. The eight short stories presented here are riveting tales of hunting elk, bear, deer, and mountain lion in the old West.

248 pages, Leather Bound

First published May 15, 2011

About the author

Rutherford George Montgomery
Also published as Everitt Proctor, Al Avery, Art Elder, A.A. Avery and E.P. Marshall.

Montgomery was born in Straubville, Sargent County, North Dakota, "a true ghost town" as of 2005. to George Y. and Matilda Proctor Montgomery. He studied at Colorado Agricultural College, Western State College of Colorado, and University of Nebraska; taught elementary school in Hot Springs, Wyoming; and from 1917 to 1919 served in the United States Air Corps. During the 1920s, he worked as a teacher and principal at junior and senior high schools in Montrose County, Colorado.

Montgomery married Eunice Opal Kirks in 1930; they had three children. He served Gunnison County, Colorado, as a judge from 1931 to 1936 and as county commissioner from 1932 to 1938, then became a freelance writer.

While still at school, Montgomery began writing stories about the wild animals that lived around his family's farm. He went on to write books about aviation and the people, landscapes and animals of the American West, particularly horses. In all, he wrote more than 100 books.

From 1941 to 1946, Montgomery was a writer for Dick Tracy. He worked as a creative writing teacher 1955–57 and as a scriptwriter for Walt Disney Studios 1958–1962.

From Wikipedia

Reviews

[Drew Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as I can tell this was Montgomery’s first book. It was originally published in 1938. As the goodreads description says, it contains hunting stories, but it also includes a tale about fishing, a story about packing into a winter camp, and one about wild horses. All of the stories take place in the mountains of Colorado and include the same band of characters. It was a quick read and one suitable for young listeners.

I really enjoyed the descriptions Montgomery gave of backcountry life in this era, his vivid portrayal of the landscape, and his inclusion of early 20th century conservation efforts, which he wove into his prose very naturally.

Don’t be surprised when you find some racially charged language and the stereotyped Indian character “Hopi Joe” who continually leads and aids his white companions as their guide. This was published in 1938 and the inclusion of “Hopi Joe” can make for a substantive conversation with a young reader.

If you can find a copy, it’s worth a read.

[Benjamin Hahs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written story of the final days of the American frontier; the descriptions of the wilderness are so vivid you can almost imagine yourself there.