William Hines (d. 1943) was a Wyoming ranch hand, oil leaser, and oil executive who accompanied author Owen Wister around the state of Wyoming when Wister was writing his novel "The Virginian." Hines is often cited as having related that he either witnessed or inspired some of the scenes in Wister's novel. He was involved in the oil field at Salt Creek with the Midwest Oil company in 1911, and later became vice president of the E.T. Williams oil company. Hines married Mary Jackson in 1921, and two years after their honeymoon the pair settled in Denver, Colorado. He died in 1943 after a short illness.
From the description of William Hines papers, 1906-1959. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 34269619
From the guide to the William Hines papers, 1906-1959, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)
