Overview

As a cowboy, Ed Lemmon saddle-handled more cattle than any man in history. As a cattleman, he oversaw the largest fenced pasture in the world. Equally at home in both roles, Lemmon balanced reckless risk-taking and controlled management to shape the development of the cattle industry and become a central figure on the northern plains. Born in 1857 into a hardworking and resilient family, George Edward (“Ed”) Lemmon grew up learning how to bounce back from adversity. Despite several crippling accidents on horseback, he continued to pursue his passion. A full-time cowboy at twenty and a range manager at twenty-three, Lemmon finally achieved what few cowboys could: an ownership stake in one of the largest outfits on the plains, the Flying V. As the open range disappeared, Lemmon helped to transform the Northern Great Plains from a network of worn, dusty cattle trails to one of cattle towns linked by railroads. In Controlled Recklessness, author Nathan Sanderson explores the motivations that led one of the greatest cowmen on the plains to saddle up time and time again. Using Lemmon’s own vibrant accounts, historical records, and corporate and government documents, Sanderson separates myth from reality. The result is a comprehensive look at Lemmon’s colorful life and his perspective as both a cowboy and a cattleman at the end of the open-range era.

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9781941813034

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Nathan Sanderson has written a fresh, thoughtful biography of South Dakota's Ed Lemmon. A truly multidimensional plainsman, Lemmon was a town founder, an open-range rancher, and a driver of more cattle to market than anyone else. Indeed, Ed Lemmon is to the northern plains as Charlie Goodnight is to the southern plains. Just a fine book! -- John Wunder, professor emeritus of history and former director of the Center for Great Plains Studie http://www.sdshspress.com/index.php?&id=295&action=912

"Ed Lemmon epitomized the rough-and-ready spirit that built today's cowboy culture. Nathan Sanderson has made a significant contribution to our history in recording and exploring the life of this amazing South Dakotan."" - South Dakota Magazine"

Ed Lemmon epitomized the rough-and-ready spirit that built today's cowboy culture. Nathan Sanderson has made a significant contribution to our history in recording and exploring the life of this amazing South Dakotan. - South Dakota Magazine

Author Information

A South Dakota native, Nathan Sanderson holds a B.S. in agriculture education from South Dakota State University, USA an M.A. in American history from the University of Indianapolis, and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is the Director of Policy and Operations for the State of South Dakota. He previously served as a policy advisor to South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard and as director of the Office of Agricultural Policy for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture. Before working in state government, Sanderson was a history instructor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and project manager for the “Railroads and the Making of Modern America” digital project.

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