POWDER RIVER COWMAN

There's a bit more substance of regional history here than most Westerns can boast. The story spans the years from 1876 to 1893, when the Powder River country changed from Indian territory, bitterly fought over to free range, then to the threat of sheep country (defeated by the cowmen), then claimed by the nesters under the Home-stead Act. At each point the old way fights heatedly to hold the line; at each point there is ultimately a measure of defeat and compromise -- all in the name of progress. Jed Bowen, hardbitten, unscrupulous, willing to lie to get his way, is the cowman of the title. First and last, he will fight for his right for grass and water for his cattle. This is the story of that fight and of facets that have gone into the making of our nation.