That cowboy poetry is catching on of late I have heard tell. Here's one about an old time hand. Oh, yes I knew him well.
He was South Alberta born and bred and had forked a horse since three. He worked on most all the ranches there as happy as he could be.
He rode in all the seasons, winter, summer, spring, and fall. For rancher life was in his blood, and he answered to it's call.
He learned the basics right at home for his folks had stock there too. He also learned to farm the land and he did a good job of it too.
Ted was born and raised in Raymond. Home of Canada's first stampede. He wanted to work on the Kircaldy Ranch it was exciting work indeed.
For the boss there was old Ray Knight the father of the show. Ray put Ted checking out his broncos. Those horses laid him low.
Now these weren't just wild horses, they were born and bred to buck. And at throwing off top riders Ray was really having luck.
Some horses were sent to England, or Australia too So it wasn't any wonder what these spring fresh nags could do.
So every spring they tried them out to see which of them would go For Ray furnished bucking horses to many a rodeo.
It was a big job punching cattle for that ranch was quite a spread It covered many many sections and they ran three thousand head.
Next he worked for Meekes' at their ranches old cow camp. I think twas there he earned his stripes and get the cowboy stamp.
Daylight found him pulling on his warm boots and hat Cold water had brought him wide awake and on the run at that.
First they rounded up the saddle stock and brought in good ones too Meeckes also ran a horse ranch so there was plenty of work to do.
They had them all looked after by the time the cook rang the bell. They had better fork that chow in them and fill right up as well.
Cause the next job was the cattle and he had a sneaking hunch He'd be trailing home by moon light so there would be no lunch
Next those calves all needed branded with a hot iron on their sides If they told you, that was easy, Sure I think somebody lied.
For they corralled them and they roped them and they wrestled them by hand Some ranchers had no corrals and there they out on the land.
When those little critters kicked them, they could peel off a lot of skin But real cowboys are tough guys and can take it on the chin.
He faced the changing weather when he rode out in the spring To help calving cows in trouble, he packed his piggin' string.
Now same range cows, ain't too grateful When they finally hit their feet And some did charge that cowboy Thank goodness he was fleet.
For if could not reach his pony She really would raise hob For a mad bull's no match at all For a new Ma on the prod.
Most ranch work can get pretty rough When your work with all that stock To get rage burns, bumps and bruises Doesn't come as any shock
Oh the sweat was pouring off them As they worked out in that sun Doing day and days of branding They were glad when it was done!
In the summer he fixes fences Pulled cows out of the bog Oh he rode that sun baked prairie And he worked just like a dog.
Sometimes he was so hot and thirsty That he though his toungue was baked Both he and horse were gratefull When they'd come to spring or lake.
After as he checked the cattle to see that all was well He'd see a lone cow standing there And a porky's work he'd smell And sure enough, a porcupine had smacked her in the puss She'd have quills sticking everywhere This was gonna raise a fuss.
Now a range, ain't all horsie That was raised around the barn So when that cowboys loop dropped on her She was sure he meant her harm.
So she'd fight her very damnedist to get away and flee She'd lunge and barrel and kick and twist as mean as she could be.
Now, he'd really have to hog tie her So that he could hold her still But on the range, tis no small job To pull out every quill
Fall roundup was a busy time They really had to work To bring in all those calves and cows A job they could not shirk.
For it was time to prick the calves to sell From the ones that they would keep. Sometimes he thought it must be easier For those who worked with sheep!
But he truly loved his ranch work And that was plain to see. But the lob bug really hit him When he ran into me!!
And although we both love ranch life It was our fondest dream Instead of cows, we had 10 children A kid ranch so it seemed!
==== Our Life
He started out life as a cowboy There was nothing so fine as his horse, He loved to punch cows and to wander But love came and changed his free course.
Our courtship was wild and exciting I had only just met him, by chance, It was love at first sight, we were sharing In a beautiful horseback romance.
We were young and alive and so eager To live every day to the full, While we dreamed big dreams, and so doing We were happy with life never dull.
He played his guitar and sang love songs Of old cowboy days of the west, Although we were poor we were happy Though we were oft put to the test.
The years flew by like a whirlwind Taking us up in its swirls, Our children came quickly to join us We had a fine son and two girls.
He was young and he tried every angle But the wolf seemed to snap at our door, We didn't exactly feel lucky when We found there was soon to be 4.
With the world in depression and turmoil It was had to keep track of our star, Our country, in need, sent a calling My soldier marched off to the war.
Grim were the lone days that followed As I sat with my hopes and my fears, I struggled along with our family Braving those lonesome five years.
At last came the day it was over Bands played and lights shone once more, We thanked the dear God that had spared him My soldier came home from the war.
Our hopes once more went a soaring For now we had dreams of a ranch, But friends double-crossed us and beat us We knew that would be our last chance.
It was hard to take heart and go onward When our dreams fate just seemed to foil, By the finally got all his bearings And we started to follow the oil.
Four years went by, oh so quickly We just seemed to be on the run, Our family expanded to seven You see, we had added three sons.
Now life it seems ever changes To this face, we all had to yield, As we boarded a train going north-ward He had to work in the Redwater field.
The home he had built was a cabin Just and eighteen by twenty four shack, We tried to accept our surroundings But - oh - how we longed to go back.
At first home-sickness pulled at our heart strings The world seemed so empty and strange, The trees seemed to close in around us We ached for our home on the range.
Time, is a friend, and a healer Our lives we soon did revamp. We began to live life in earnest With new friends down in old "B.A. camp"
We had fun, in spite of the hard-ships Though our patience was oft very thin, And it really did cap the old climax When the good Doctor said, "It was twins!"
Our neighbors and friends rallied round us They all came to lend us hand, Whenever our loads got too heavy We all seemed a part of a clan.
We shared our lives with each other Like those other pioneers of the west, Looking back on those days, now I wonder If they were not some of our best.
The years rushed ahead like a hail storm Flinging their changes - and then, Before we could grasp what had happened Our family increased up to ten.
For our first son had brought us his baby That much needed love and a home, A sweet little flaxen-haired daughter That we kept and raised as our own.
Now - that wasn't all of our family Though we were grandparents - no less, In spite of our poor cramped surroundings We added our seventh son - Wes.
Through the years, there were times, when our boat rocked And it seemed that the waves were too high, But we all struggled together to guide it Our love helped us all to get by.
In due time our first girls were married Gone out to live lives of their own, We were saddened a bit by their leaving For they were sore missed in our home.
We moved into a wee house in the town-site With running water and a bathroom, - inside, - I was happy for all this convenience But when I left our old cabin - I cried.
Cause the life we lived there are the memories We will cherish wherever we go, How fast those days fled when we think back At the time they all seemed to go slow.
Our seven at home were all growing Like healthy young colts on the grass, Sometimes the house shook from their antics Too soon did all of this pass.
Five more of our sons soon were grown And out living lives of their own, Our family had certainly dwindled We were left with just four of them home.
So fast was our life stream a flowing That we were not counting the pace, My love was beginning to weary He couldn't keep up with the race.
For the rigorous years wanted payment He had lived them so hard from the start Though his spirit was still so undaunted The strain was too much for his heart.
The change came too quick and too drastic When the Doc said, "there would be no more work" A dark shadow seemed to fall o'er him We all tried to share in his hurt.
He just sat and deemed himself useless No more did he feel he could cope, The Doctor feared that we would lose him If he didn't soon get some new hope.
We tried all we knew just to please him Though he just seemed to follow his course. We frantically searched for an answer And wound up by - buying a horse!
A deep love for horseflesh was in him From the days that he'd spent on the range The colt - proved - just what was needed. We could hardly believe such a change!
That change was the first of so may Our lives became totally new, Our family left home, most together, We were back like the start - just we two.
Like our first days, again, we rode horseback We had bought us two more - we could ride. Thought his health was a factor to worry Life seemed full of bliss - at his side.
First Paul and Doreen gave us pasture And then it was Paulson and Hicks For this we will ever be grateful They sure helped us out of that fix.
Oh our luck it was running in grand style We seemed to live under a charm Dear friends cross the street, name of Chaba Let us move out on their farm.
Now words can't describe all their kindness For we use their farm as our own. We've been here three years with five horses At this sweet little spot we call home.
We've had fun with Gymkhana and trail rides It's a beautiful dream that's come true We will leave here some day that is certain But we will enjoy it all - till we do.
Out children nearly all married And blessed with sweet kids of their own. How lucky we are, as their parents, For all of them often come home.
We see life carry on, through their children With a darling great grand child were blessed Her Mom is that flaxen haired baby We think she is on of the best.
Yes life flows along like a river Hurrying down to the sea But I'll still try to brave all the rapids If my cowboy is there beside me.
Pearl Court
== Went to WWII, Listed in Veteran's Voices published in Raymond
==
Young Love
Pearl first met Ted at a dance in Raymond, held after the Rodeo. July 1st 1935, but she didn't remember his name. Later she met him in Coutts at Jack and Blanche Draders house, where Pearl came to baby sit, but found they had changed their minds. Ted was there, on that day November 4th 1935. At that time, Ted and a couple of other guys were staying out at Sid Wetzels about 4 miles east of Coutts. Sid lived alone.Ted had a horse of Andy Lunds that he was riding for Andy. Ted was jobless at this time. He had been working on a cow ranch out by the Sweet Grass hills, but the job was finished the end of October.
She seemed to be always bumping into him at Drader's and they got acquainted there. Love at first sight - Almost, but when he went to ask for her hand, at her folks - WOW, the axe fell down in no uncertain terms. Pearl had been engaged to Bill Heninger a big sheep Rancher. No way, my Ma Garrett said, wouldn't she even let Pearl see him again, calling him an "A good for nothing Mormon cowboy". They were strong Catholics and Ted's Grandfather was Mormon. Actually, Sophia's opinion since Pa (Anson) said he couldn't see anything wrong with Ted, when Sophia's verbal axe came crashing down on Ted, so Anson backed off and shut up. Pearl decided to see Ted regardless of their opinion and she was determined to see her dear cowboy. Next Sophia decided to send Pearl to South Dakota to a convent where her niece was a nun. Pearl felt she was NOT convent material!
Ted said, where there is a will - there is a way!! And they found it, just before the arrangements were set for South Dakota. Ted had commented that her folks could not force an annulment if she was pregnant, so even if her father found them after the marriage, it would be too late. Pearl took a trip to the doctor, and shocked the doctor at rejoicing at the news she was pregnant. The doctor held her hand "Well, young lady I have to tell you the news. You ARE pregnant." To Pearl this was the best new she had ever heard. For now she would be Mrs. Court. Her folks could not stop her. Ted borrowed a horse for Pearl from Joe Snow, and away they went, a happy pair! The couple eloped over the Milk River Ridge, in January on horseback.
He went out to Granddad's farm, where Ted's parents were living, and later they went to Lethbridge with Grand-dad Court to buy her ring, the cheapest one there. Money was very short, since Ted had no money and no job. Ted sold his horse, but not saddle etc… Grandma and Gampa Court on Grandma and Aunt Ruby's birthday party also baked a wedding cake for us, and Bishop Walker married Pearl and Ted that night Jan 29, 1936. Pearl married at 18, in Raymond at Ted's Grandfather's house. None of her family was there. Pearl though that the happiest day of her life, but as it turned out after he was at war for five years in active service. Her happiest day, by far, was the day that he came home to me when the War was over, as Pearl said, "God had really blessed the two of us!"
Pearl sold her horse, for their first grubstake. Ted sold his horse to have the money for the $ 5.00 it took to rent a house, a converted granary outside of Raymond town in 1936, and their life began in earnest. Raymond had wide streets because city planners intended to park cars in the middle of the street. The house/shack was about as big as the kitchen and dinning room in the trailer. No table, so they used apple boxes, no chairs, apple boxes, no cupboard, used 2 orange boxes. Orange boxes had a divider in it so 2 boxes made four shelves. No bed but an old Winnipeg couch, rescued from the dump. The springs could bite and were broken. They had a wedding shower, got 2 pots for cooking, plus cups and saucer and bedding, towels and dish towels (four towels and dish towels). Red Court, Ted's brother, gave one knife and half a knife, 2 forks, 1 soupspoon, and 1 teaspoon. Plus they were "Happier then hell had the guitar" for they sure spend a lot of happy hours playing and singing. Young friends would come over to listen and sing. If the friends were lucky they would be offered a cup of coffee, not often they even had that.
In spring, Ted got a job on Ranch, Pearl followed kept place in town. The happy couple lived in Coutts next. In fall came back to Raymond down south to Coutts, moved into the Garrett's rental house in about 1937. Ted worked for farmers out of Coutts and ranchers when they need him, anything else he could find to do, such as unloading tank car from railroad. Ted did whatever kind of work available loaded oil tank railway cars, shoveled snow, dug gardens. He worked for farmers, spring and fall, and a week or so during the summer. Trapped weasels and skunks- anything to make a dollar and it went to his family, which by 1941 had increased by three with the fourth on the way. Norman Court was born in Raymond September 17, 1936 in the shack. 1937 Ted got job in dairy, hired beised dairy small house two rooms, Neoma (Mickey) Court born November 9, 1937 Coutts place, in Alberta. The family lived in Coutts and Pat was born March 17, 1939. Next moved to one of the Garrett houses, did not want to but Pearl's folks had took back what they had said about them. Ted loving, giving, but proud too, he wanted to fly his own kite. They were very independent not asking anyone's help.
Our courtship was wild and exciting I had only just met him, by chance, It was love at first sight, we were sharing In a beautiful horseback romance.
We were young and alive and so eager To live every day to the full, While we dreamed big dreams, and so doing We were happy with life never dull.
He played his guitar and sang love songs Of old cowboy days of the west, Although we were poor we were happy Though we were oft put to the test.
(Compiled by Carol Fox - December 16, 2001)
Pictures 1. Wedding Cake, January 29, 1936 2. Mrs Hodge (Gerties Landlady) Gertie, Pearl and Ted In Great Falls, May 1938. Micky at doctor's there 3. Pearl holding Patsy 4. Ted Court at Ranch 5. Pearl, Gerti, and Neoma 6. Pearl and Ted March after married
= Return Home
Ted Court came home from the war in 1945, upon returning to "Civvy Street," Ted felt he was supposedly hoodwinked out of his V.L.A. allowance. But that didn't bother Pearl, because Ted got a job pumping crude oil across the border from the Cutbank and Cat creek fields in Montana across the border in a five-inch line to load into tank cars for British-American's Calgary refinery. Ted sent his reports to the U.S.
Garry, was born after the war on May 23, 1946, in the Lethbridge hospital. Mike born 1947, June 11, in the Lethbridge hospital. Clark was born in the Lethbridge hospital on April 29, 1949
Despite the 1947 Leduc boom, B-A was singularly unsuccessful in their efforts to find crude. When Redwater broke, by now desperate for feedstock, they bought oil in the ground at the Crown Reserve Sales starting in 1948. Outside of plant employees in Turner Valley, B-A had no production hands. Shortly after the purchases, Ted got his marching orders. He was transferred up to Redwater to help with production a shipping of oil. During those early hectic days, Ted was on the run. "He always knew what time to go to work - never knew when he'd come home." Pearl said the little community got little help from Redwater. "We were not part of it."
He was up to Redwater. Just starting out, hit a well or two to look after British American oil (BA oil) interest. Ted was lucky to get a job loading oil into railway cars to ship to Cut Bank Montana. In 1949 B.A. Oil Co. he worked for transferred him up here to Redwater where he loaded oil tank railway cars. Next, B.A. put in a pipeline and Ted worked looking after it, until he retired.
In the fall of 1949, Pearl followed Ted to Redwater with the children. Clark was 5 months old at the time, then the youngest of seven children. Ted had built an 18x24 shack and we moved in. Ray Heffner, B-A's foreman, organized the company community. Each of the occupant's bough parcels from Roshko (Ted thinks he paid $150.00) According to Pearl Court, wife of a British-American production hand, B-A had promised housing comparable to imperial Oil's town plans. But when Pearl and her brood moved up from Coutts, in November 1949, they found themselves cheated and disillusioned. Fortunately, husband Ted had built the 18' x 24' shack, which they located on a 3 1/3 acre tract owned by Frank Roshko just east of the town. Their first purchase was a stove. It was quite a shock to fine the 18' x 24' shack didn't even have a stove in it. Pearl, upset, instructed Ted to install the kitchen stove in the middle of the floor, then left. She returned there was the stove right in the middle of the one-room shack. There were no facilities. Millions of dollars had been spend by B-A on crown reserve sale bonuses but nothing on the employees. Water line and sewage pipe ran through Roshko's land but they were not to be tapped by the occupants.
1949 in November stove put in the middle of floor. No water, no insulation, outside finished, inside not. 1950 added shed on full length, another small bedroom and porch, for years had a curtain for boys and girls on other side. Ted made 1.30 per hour, not bad money then, but had many children. Tub day was Saturday, and dirtiest one last in tub. Hoodwinked out of government money for vets. Had not gone after it in time. Was mad at them
(the government) 1950 or 1951 built onto the shack. Water had to be halled to fill a barrel. From Norman took wagon and someone had well for washing (could not drink the water) about ½ a mile away to farmer, Yarmola, (dog started getting nasty and biting, they did not like the oil people.) Drinking water was bought by the barrel. Got once a week. That was delivered at the cost of 1.50 a barrel, and in winter froze solid. Ted hung a light bulb in barrel just below the lid in winter to keep some of the water thawed for drinking.
On October 13, 1951, twins Ray and Gay born in Radway hospital. The first set of twins born to the hospital, brining the family to 9, followed by Wes brining the children up to 10! When we were having all this big family - He used to say well it will be hard for your now, but I will look after you and them, as many as will come, and it is the best thing we could give each other, the best thing we could have. Sure seemed to me that we were over doing a good thing but guess who was right. The best thing he gave me the parts of himself, I STILL have with me.
She recalls her days in the B-A camp with nostalgia. The B-A camp was called Skunk Hollow because it was beside the town garbage dump and the oil wells smelled of H2S0. The winter of 1949-50 was one of the coldest on record: -40 degrees F for weeks. Because there was no electricity, Ted bough pearl a gasoline-powered washing machine. "Every day was wash day. Because I was the (surrogate) mother, my young neighbors thought I was also the doctor, comforting and curing … Solid enduring friendships were build up from those pioneering days." Pearl's philosophy is simple, "Our family took our money, but that's what we were for."
However, in 1963, the Courts bought an Imperial Oil house in the Town of Redwater and began to live in a more civilized manner. Town house had no addressed then, at end of town, still in town, others have bought and built on it. Living in old falling down house. Alex Gavis said could live in it if could fix it, floor not straight nor walls, so rented house in town to pay in taxes, spent money. Gave it too Clark and he bought them the trailer and looks after them yet.
(Complied by Carol Fox - December 16, 2001)
Pictures 1. Pearl and Ted, August 12, 1953 2. Back row - Pearl, Ted holding Ray, Mike, Clark Front row - Terry, Garry at Cliff and Mary Garrett's 3. Ted and Pearl at BA Camp. 18x24 shack, with no running water or electricity for four years. 4. Anson and great great grandchild Back row - Garry, Carole, Mickey Mike (hiding behind Clark) Pearl Middle row - Ray, Clark, Gay Front row - Terry, Ted, Miles, Anson, Tina (in Anson Lap) == As The Years Gallop By
Subsequent encounters were medical: a blood clot in his heart and an embolism saw Ted fighting for his life. As Pearl put it, "We lived a lot of life." Ted's heart was bad and was told could not work anymore. With the cessation of the pipeline gathering system, west of Redwater, Ted retired in 1972 . Ted was very low. Doctor said got to get him interested in something. Doctor said sinking down every day. Doctor and Pearl - talked about Ted's love of horses. Lived in a little house in town at the time. Pearl went to Eddie to get a horse for Ted. Can buy for 5 or 6 hundred dollars, but got a cut on his leg. They bought horse, El Kabar Shamilar, a registered Arab, nice horse except for the cut leg. There was some resistance to the idea of Pearl bringing home a horse "And Ted you promised me when we got married you would get me a horse." Ted well I did promise so I guess you got your horse. Horse would come to oats. Pearl held oats bucket and horse came to Ted, even though Ted had none. Right there bonding between Ted and horse. All Pearl could think of was thanks God. Went back into town 3 times a day to see it and pet it. (Only would have need to go once a day) now telling Neighbors, "Tell you about the horse I got" (Ted's words). Told kids the he was going to break the horse.
Before they could the break the horse, Ted and Pearl bought two others horses so they could ride. Pearl never so glad to get rid of a horse because brought Ted back to health. First Shamilar to get Ted interested in life and living again, then both of them ridding and exercising their horses. They bought Tonka, for 25 dollars, all Pearl had in her purse. Tonka was being sent to the can, so Laura Dayton told Ted if Ted wanted Tonka could have him. Ted would not take the horse for free, so Pearl gave the 25 dollars she had in her purse.
Ted and Pearl moved out to the quarter section. A huge house trailer in the woods southeast of Redwater along the River Range Road (No. 213). The land is part of Sw 22-57-21 and Alex Chaba is still receiving rental revenues from wells thereon. At the bottom of the yard is an Imperial well, which is said to be making 90 barrels a day of oil, even as late as the 1980's. The yard contains outbuildings of every shape and size, several horses, a couple of dogs and cats. Then they went back to horses, and moved out here in the country where Pearl still is, only one of the horses he rode are still around. His Amigo horse, became Pearl's Amigo. Pearl rode Amigo mountain riding and trail riding with a dear friend Lois Baldwin, a real horse gal. Pearl and Ted helped organize the Gymkhana Club. Ted's last advice to me was 'Stay on the farm and look after my horse! '
Life with Faith has helped Pearl deal with the loss, as Pearl says, "Yes - I had it all and our love did last. I will last. I know you know what that love and loss is, but life is NOT in our hands. Things happen. It's how we handle it that counts. I know he's in a better place - my hope is to join him when I get my call." Yes he was certainly right; I thank him daily, I have done for years on end.
Pearl is proud of her prowess as a poet. She compressed her life story into a series of verses, which won first prize at a Prince George fair. Another of her accomplishment was as a horsewoman. She was "Best dressed rider and horse" at the 1992 Radway parade. Additional accomplishments include Senior Rodeo Queen for 1992. Pearl is still a bundle of energy belies her many years, of which over 60 of which she has spent in wedded bliss. Pearl Court's ten-plus-one children, numerous "grands", "greats", and "great greats" round out her extensive matriarchy.
(Compiled by Carol Fox - December 16, 2001)
Pictures 1. El Kabar Shamilar, a registered Arab 2. Ted and Pearl horseback, October 1987 3. Ted and Pearl in front of the iris 4. Pearl Redwater RodeoQueen 1992 5. Pearl Barrel Ridding 6. Ted and Pearl in Chabas old house on the farm 7. Ted and Pearl January 24, 1984 8. Pearl Rodeo Queen 9. Ted at the farm
More About Edward Owen Court: Burial: 17 February 1995, Redwater, Alberta, Canada.1116 Military service 1: 16 February 1941, Inlisted WWII in 14th ATB, Calgary Reg..1116 Military service 2: Cpl. E.O. Court M26807.1116 Military service 3: 19 August 1942, Dieepe.1116 Military service 4: 8 May 1945, V.E. Day.1116
More About Edward Owen Court and Pearl Catherine Garrett: Private-Begin: Private
Children of Edward Owen Court and Pearl Catherine Garrett are:
Edward Owen Court (b. 25 November 1913, d. 13 February 1995)
Notes for Edward Owen Court: