Controlled Recklessness

Born in 1857 into a hardworking and resilient family, George Edward ("Ed") Lemmon balanced reckless risk-taking and controlled management to shape the development of the cattle industry. Despite several crippling accidents on horseback, Lemmon achieved what few cowboys could: an ownership stake in one of the largest outfits on the Northern Great Plains. As the open range disappeared, he helped to transform the region from a network of worn, dusty cattle trails to one of towns linked by railroads. In Controlled Recklessness, author Nathan Sanderson uses Lemmon's own vibrant accounts and historical records to form a comprehensive look at Lemmon's colorful life and his perspective as both a cowboy and a cattleman.