Elmer Keith and Jack O'Conner stories
 

These are pretty good. Both these guys were hunting heroes when I was growing up. I have read many of their books and articles over the years.

http://z4.invisionfree.com/Gerrys_Ca...?showtopic=105

I just visited with David Trevallion, a couple of days ago, who had done "stock work" on a couple of Keith's double rifles.





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I've read both of their works extensively. Opposite ends of the spectrum for sure. Jack favored the 270 and Elmer thought a 375 H&H would make a good varmint round.

If you haven't read " Hell I Was There" well let's say it's a hell of a ride. You will not be disappointed.

If I remeber correctly, that was the book where he described taking a Muley at over 200 yds, with an open sighted model 29 S&W.

Yep these guys were the ultimate in point/counterpoint article writing in the outdoor magazines of the day.

Rich I noticed your Hemingway quote in signature. Have you ever read Hunting with Hemingway. It was a book written by Hemingway's niece as story's retold by her dad Leicester. Good read with lots of bravado and almost outlandish recklessness.

https://www.amazon.com/Hunting-Hemin.../dp/1565113845

All those Hemingway's off'd themselves. Rough.

No I haven't and thanks for the link. I need some new reading material.

It is a good read and some of the stories are almost outlandish to believe and full of bravado but I think its well written. It does suck you in reading about it all if your a Hemingway fan. Supposedly stories are taken from a recording of Leicester detailing accounts not previously documented from their exploits. I think Leicester was much younger than Ernest as I recall. The king cobra story was... don't know how to describe it. Just read it. I think best part is how Leicester describes Hemingway's writing style and its hard to disagree with the point.

BTW just reread a chapter last night that I forget about regarding a tiger hunt that is chilling. Such incredible stories that probably has a profound impact on Ernest. Hard to believe he would not of written about it, but is compelling that he didn't since he felt maybe so much guilt. What I find very interesting is that this book came out probably 10 to 12 years ago and it mentions the destruction by his son of the Scott 12 bore SXS that Ernest used to administer the "family exit". Here is link referencing another book's excerpt that talks about the Guns of Hemingway and reportedly shows a piece of the Scott Hemingway sidelock showing that a torch had been taken to it. It also appears to be the left sidelock. https://gardenandgun.com/slideshow/e...gways-guns/10/

Besides mandatory reading of some his books I thought it cool that on my parents gentlemen farm as a kid we had some Hemingway cats (multi-toed). A good friend of my parents that also owned our local newspaper was a huge Hemingway fan. He almost fell out his chair when my Mom made a passing comment about all the multi-toed kitties we had. He had to have one. He picked a real rare one since it had multi toes on all four feet. The scariest part was it had two long toes that were fused at dew claw area on both front feet. That cat learned to use those extra toes almost like an opposable thumb. Man that cat could climb almost as fast as it could run. I always thought that would make an incredible horror story like Lions of Tsavo if there was ever a large cat like a tiger, lion or cougar that had those type toes. I had never seen a grown man fawn over a cat that much. He acted the same as someone that had been given the pick of the litter from a famous bird dog or maybe the first foal sired by Secretariat (First Secretary).

For character, of the three---Keith, O'Connor and Hemingway---J'OC would be most welcome in our home. Hemingway is a great writer but would be almost insufferable to me as company. I don't question Keith's prowess, having seen many lucky shots over 80 years. He's entertaining as a story-teller---"Aw, c'mon, Elmer!" Having said that, the photo looking over my shoulder as I write this is Karsh's print No. 2 of Hemingway, the turtle-neck portrait.

I had the opportunity to visit Havana a couple of yeas ag, and tour Papa’s Cuban estate. It has literally been left a “time capsule”
First pic, his desk, which was really a flat showcase, as he wrote standing up at a manual typwriter faced into an unadorned corner, so thahe was not distracted as he composed.

Second pic is the walls of his bathroom where he recorded his weight every day,on the walls,
with occaisional comment.

Third is a partial of his library, which was huge!

Fourth, Pilar