The Life of Elmer Keith

[JimT]

https://youtu.be/9cCIIZGi6LU?si=tKyWj5BxbxFu2zta

[AJMD429]

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Cool.
I’ll have to watch when the internet cooperates.

His autobiography was an AWESOME read…!

[Malamute]

That was good, thanks!

Reading Keith in my youth was quite influential to my later choices in firearms and partly lifestyle. I bought a 4" 29 in about 1982, its been the most carried pistol Ive owned. His heavy 45-70 loads (53 gr IMR 3031 w/400 gr bullet, the Speers, then the Barnes original in my case) were my standard carry loads in grizzly country. The first pistol moulds I bought were Keiths Lyman designs.

[kaschi]

That was good. I ran across it that series a coupe of weeks ago. The one on Colonel Charles Askins was especially good.

[LeverGunner]

I have links to an interview with Elmer on my site. I don't know how I came across them. But his voice, wow, I hear his voice when I read his books now.

Elmer's Voice

[Lastmohecken]

I have a lot of Elmer's books. I read his writings all of my younger life, especially. I still, base a lot of my firearm's choices on his teachings.

[AJMD429]

That was good. I ran across it that series a coupe of weeks ago. The one on Colonel Charles Askins was especially good.

"Unrepentant Sinner" was his autobiography - it sits right next to "Hell, I was There!" (Elmer Keith's autobiography) on my shelf of Great Reads.

[kaschi]

Yes, Unrepentant Sinner is a top read.

[Woodtroll]

Yes, Unrepentant Sinner is a top read.

Really? I had always heard that Askins was an arrogant man who enjoyed killing other men, and that his book was hard to read because of this attitude. I'm not arguing with your statement, just curious, because I had always wanted to read the book but didn't want to spend $100+ just to be disgusted by it.

[Bullard4075]

Yes, Unrepentant Sinner is a top read.

Really? I had always heard that Askins was an arrogant man who enjoyed killing other men, and that his book was hard to read because of this attitude. I'm not arguing with your statement, just curious, because I had always wanted to read the book but didn't want to spend $100+ just to be disgusted by it.

My feelings also, I've heard the same.

[AJMD429]

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I would say that Elmer Keith's autobiography came across as the story of an amazing gentleman from another era, who admittedly had episodes of rough and rowdy and sometimes illegal behavior. On the other hand Charles Askins' autobiography comes across as the story of an amazing 'character' from another era, with quite a lot of wild and violent behavior, working often on the side of the law, but not at all apologetic for, and indeed sometimes seeming to enjoy, violence.

I'm not sure why either book is so expensive, but I would say they were both worth reading (though I bought used copies for far less than the current $100+ price tag). BOTH men were illustrative of those who settled the American frontier, but I think it's fair to say they were on different ends of a spectrum. I would much rather my kids grow up to be more like Keith, but I think they should understand both types of people.

[JimT]

@ AJMD429 .. Thanks for that. You give a good assessment of both men. It's hard for many people these days to begin to understand the attitudes and actions of the men who lived in those times. To judge them by today's standards is to totally miss the point.

[Steve in MO]

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I would say that Elmer Keith's autobiography came across as the story of an amazing gentleman from another era, who admittedly had episodes of rough and rowdy and sometimes illegal behavior. On the other hand Charles Askins' autobiography comes across as the story of an amazing 'character' from another era, with quite a lot of wild and violent behavior, working often on the side of the law, but not at all apologetic for, and indeed sometimes seeming to enjoy, violence.

I'm not sure why either book is so expensive, but I would say they were both worth reading (though I bought used copies for far less than the current $100+ price tag). BOTH men were illustrative of those who settled the American frontier, but I think it's fair to say they were on different ends of a spectrum. I would much rather my kids grow up to be more like Keith, but I think they should understand both types of people.

Skeeter Skelton considered Askins a personal friend, or so I've gathered from his writings. Mas Ayoob knew Askins, and had much the same thought as you. Askins was a product of his time and place, but was definitely not one to model yourself after if you're a peace officer.

[Woodtroll]

Thanks for the feedback, gentlemen. I do indeed understand that men should be judged, for the most part, by the standards of the times and environment they lived in. It's a shame that courtesy has not been afforded to many of our Southern leaders over the last few years. Many of them were in fact good men.

Sounds like it may be worth it to read the book for myself, then (if I can find an "inexpensive" copy). I doubt it will turn up at a local library even if I searched for it.

Thanks again!

[Ysabel Kid]

Watched it today. Thanks for sharing Jim!

[JB]

I have a several of Elmer's books as well. I felt he had a tendency to stretch the truth a great deal, but always found him entertaining.