Cowboys taking a break. Photo by Erwin E. Smith, 1907.
“A man’s got to have a code, a creed to live by, no matter his job.” — John Wayne.
First chronicled by the famous Western writer Zane Grey in his 1934 novel The Code of the West, no “written” code existed. However, the hardy pioneers who lived in the West were bound by these unwritten rules centered on hospitality, fair play, loyalty, and respect for the land.
Ramon Adams, a Western historian, explained it best in his 1969 book, The Cowman and His Code of Ethics, saying, in part:
“Back when the cowman with his herds made a new frontier, there was no law on the range. The lack of written law made it necessary for him to frame some of his own, thus developing a rule of behavior known as the “Code of the West.” These homespun laws, merely a gentleman’s agreement to specific rules of conduct for survival, were never written into statutes but were respected everywhere on the range.
Though the cowman might break every law of the territory, state, and federal government, he took pride in upholding his unwritten code. His failure to abide by it did not bring formal punishment, but the man who broke it became, more or less, a social outcast. His friends’ hazed him into the cutbacks’, and he was subject to the punishment of the very code he had broken.”
Cowboy drinking Wiedemann Beer Advertisem*nt
Though the Code of the West was always unwritten, here is a “loose” list of some of the guidelines:
Don’t inquire into a person’s past. Take the measure of a man for what he is today.
Never steal another man’s horse. A horse thief pays with his life.
Defend yourself whenever necessary.
Look out for your own.
Remove your guns before sitting at the dining table.
Never order anything weaker than whiskey.
Don’t make a threat without expecting dire consequences.
Never pass anyone on the trail without saying “Howdy.”
When approaching someone from behind, give a loud greeting before you get within shooting range.
Don’t wave at a man on a horse, as it might spook the horse. A nod is the proper greeting.
Don’t look back at him after you pass someone on the trail. It implies you don’t trust him.
Riding another man’s horse without permission is nearly as bad as making love to his wife. Never even bother another man’s horse.
Always fill your whiskey glass to the brim.
A cowboy doesn’t talk much; he saves his breath for breathing.
No matter how weary and hungry you are after a long day in the saddle, always tend to your horse’s needs before your own, and get your horse some feed before you eat.
Cuss all you want, but only around men, horses, and cows.
Camp Cook Marfa, TX – Lee Russell, 1939.
Complain about the cooking, and you become the cook.
Always drink your whiskey with your gun hand to show your friendly intentions.
Do not practice ingratitude.
A cowboy is pleasant even when out of sorts. Complaining is what quitters do, and cowboys hate quitters.
Always be courageous. Cowards aren’t tolerated in any outfit worth its salt.
A cowboy always helps someone in need, even a stranger or an enemy.
Never try on another man’s hat.
Be hospitable to strangers. Anyone who wanders in, including an enemy, is welcome at the dinner table. The same was true for riders who joined cowboys on the range.
Give your enemy a fighting chance.
Never wake another man by shaking or touching him, as he might wake suddenly and shoot you.
Real cowboys are modest. A braggart who is “all gurgle and no guts” is not tolerated.
Be there for a friend when he needs you.
Drinking on duty is grounds for instant dismissal and blacklisting.
A cowboy is loyal to his “brand,” his friends, and those he rides with.
Never shoot an unarmed or unwarned enemy. This was also known as “the rattlesnake code”: always warn before you strike. However, if a man was being stalked, this could be ignored.
Never shoot a woman, no matter what.
Consideration for others is central to the code, such as: Don’t stir up dust around the chuckwagon, don’t wake up the wrong man for herd duty, etc.
Respect the land and the environment by not smoking in hazardous fire areas or disfiguring rocks, trees, or other natural areas.
Honesty is absolute – your word is your bond, and a handshake is more binding than a contract.
Live by the Golden Rule.
“The Code of the West was a gentleman’s agreement to specific rules of conduct. It was never written into the statutes but was respected everywhere on the range. ”
— Ramon F. Adams
Compiled and edited by Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated July 2023.
Code of the West 11×17 Poster with photo collage, available at Legends’ General Store.
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I'm an enthusiast and expert in Western history, particularly the Code of the West and the cowboy way of life. The Code of the West represents a set of unwritten rules and principles that governed the behavior and conduct of cowboys and pioneers in the American West during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. My knowledge is based on extensive research and a deep understanding of this historical period.
Now, let's dive into the various concepts and principles mentioned in the article about the Code of the West:
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The Code of the West: As explained, it was a set of unwritten rules and guidelines that governed the conduct and behavior of individuals in the American West, emphasizing principles like hospitality, fair play, loyalty, and respect for the land.
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Zane Grey: Mentioned as the famous Western writer who first chronicled the Code of the West in his 1934 novel, highlighting his significant contribution to Western literature.
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Ramon Adams: Described as a Western historian who further explained the Code of the West in his 1969 book, "The Cowman and His Code of Ethics," providing valuable insights into the historical context and significance of the code.
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Specific Code Guidelines: The article lists several specific guidelines that were part of the Code of the West. These include not inquiring into a person's past, not stealing another man's horse, defending oneself when necessary, removing guns before dining, and many more. Each guideline reflects a key aspect of the code, such as honesty, respect, and courage.
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Cowboy Etiquette: The article mentions various etiquettes that were expected of cowboys, such as not waving at a man on a horse, being courteous when passing others on the trail, and never trying on another man's hat. These etiquettes were an integral part of cowboy culture.
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Courage and Loyalty: The Code of the West emphasized the importance of courage and loyalty, as evidenced by the guidelines that discouraged complaining, promoted helping those in need, and standing by friends in times of trouble.
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Respect for Women and Others: The code also highlighted the importance of respecting women and others, as seen in the guideline that prohibited shooting unarmed or unwarned enemies and explicitly stated that one should never shoot a woman.
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Respect for the Environment: The code emphasized respect for the land and the environment, discouraging actions like smoking in hazardous fire areas or disfiguring natural features.
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Honesty and Integrity: Honesty was considered absolute, and a person's word was their bond. The code valued integrity and emphasized the significance of a handshake as more binding than a formal contract.
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Golden Rule: The Code of the West encouraged individuals to live by the Golden Rule, which is the principle of treating others as you would like to be treated.
In summary, the Code of the West was a set of unwritten rules and principles that guided the behavior of cowboys and pioneers in the American West. It encompassed values like honesty, courage, respect, and hospitality and was a reflection of the rugged and honorable way of life in the Old West.
