Fanch and Will, A Tale Of Two Idaho Cowpunchers

"Fanch and Will, A Tale of Two Idaho Cowpunchers"





"Fanch was just a kid from a ranch in the Hollow

Busted his fare share of broncs in his own quick style

All while driving them cowboy-girls wild

However he was gettin older now

But refused to be let down

So the day came

Packed up his gear and trusty cow ponies

Loaded up his ole Chevy truck

And headed up the mountains

He soon arrived in High Valley country

Where the ole Payette River runs through the pines

He then saw a sign for a diner in town and he hadn't had supper yet

So in he went, taking a seat at the counter

Soon the door of the diner opened 'an in walked

The biggiest cowman Fanch had ever seen came in an sat down

Tall, dark hair, looked like he'd seen all the bad rides and bad broncs too

Fanch figured he'd be the fellow to ask about the outfits 'round here

"Hey" Fanch said, "what place's are hirin 'round here"?

The man looked up and said "you ain't gonna find much 'round here, them town folks are taking it all"

"heck after the fall, I'm headin out New Mexico way, might get a better deal out there."

"oh yea things were different once, but once Momma makes you go get educated, things don't look much"

'An no one wants to know the new ways 'o ranchin"

"So kid, my advice to you is to head out and head for that Southwest territory"

Fanch did not see this coming

The ole boy spoke again "well i hear Simplot's a hirin ya might wanna check there"

"But" said Fanch, " I've already worked there, might head down to the Oregon side"

"and look up ole O-town"

The man spoke again, "ahh O-town, i used to hang 'round there"

"Used to meet a young gal with long blond hair"

Fanch realized who this boy was talkin 'bout

"yea" Fanch replied, "I knew her too, pretty petite blond gal"

"She was trainin up in the ole buckaroo ways 'an gettin educated too"

"Heard she ran off with a Texas cat" said Fanch

The tall cowpuncher listened and replied

"We were fixin to get hitched in the summer of 09"

"But she wouldn't be tamed in my ways, 'an I lost her too"

By now it was gettin late and Fanch needed to move on

So the two cowpunchers once strangers now shared a common bond

"hey Hoss" said Fanch "i didn't catch your name"

The ole boy smiled "juss call me Will"

They shook hands and wished each other well

"hey" Fanch hollered, "If'n ya make it in that New Mexico territory holler and ill come out there"

With that, the two parted ways

Neither one has been heard from these days

Yes these Idaho Cowpunchers didn't stay 'round long

Fanch is still around bustin broncs 'round Sand Hollow

As for 'ole Will

Some say he made it New Mexico way but didn't stay

Other's say he's still roaming 'round High Valley

They're probably both still wonderin 'bout that pretty girl they both once knew

But where ever they may be they'll always be known

As Fanch and Will

A couple of Idaho Cowpunchers







© Jenn Eastman, Nevada Buckarette Please ask before you copy or share!!