Cook, James M., 1858-

Born in Washington County, Arkansas, James M. Cook (1858-1940), also known as "Jim Lane," was a cattle rancher and manager of the XIT Ranch, one of the largest cattle ranches in Texas. After his service in the Civil War as a captain in the Confederate Army, Cook settled in Texas and became a cattle rancher. In 1888, he became foreman for the XIT Ranch's Escarbada Division. Cook was elected sheriff of Deaf Smith County in 1890, only to be fired a year later for killing a cowboy. Following the death of his wife, Cook traveled throughout the western United States and Canada in the early 1890s, prospecting and working as a wilderness guide. In 1912, he published the book, "The Canadian Northwest as It Is Today." In later life, he returned to Texas and became well known for his frontier and pioneering lifestyle.

From the description of James M. Cook Papers, 1888-1898 (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 764505634

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