Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison, WI

I am a big fan of American roots music and have an extensive collection of 20s, 30s, & 40s rural country music & blues. I've also got a good bit of Western Swing & Cowboy tunes from the likes of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Milton Brown & his Musical Brownies, the Sons of the Pioneers, and of course Gene Autry. I ran across a Youtube video the other day which incorporated Autry's old chestnut version of "South of the Border" with his radio and TV show's "Cowboy Code." These broadcasts ran between 1940 and 1956 - NOT a time particularly known for tolerance and openness to people of different ethnic backgrounds and religious ideas. I'm personally thinking that some of Bro. Autry's Masonry might have slipped into his Cowboy Code. I'll let you brothers be the judge. In the meantime, I'll just put on my over-sized white Stetson and Hollywood smile, hop up on my trusty horse El Caballo, and ride off into that Masonically purple sage.

S & F

Robert Blackburn

Gene Autry's Cowboy Code

1. The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.

2. He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.

3. He must always tell the truth.

4. He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.

5. He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.

6. He must help people in distress.

7. He must be a good worker.

8. He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action, and personal habits.

9. He must respect women, parents, and his nations laws.

10. The Cowboy is a patriot.