Gene was a famous Western author (14 novels and 60 short stories), who wrote from his own experience in the West. His early years were spent ranching and partnering with friends like Oliver Lee, who was tried for the murder of Henry Fountain, son of Judge Albert Fountain. Judge Fountain and his son disappeared on a buggy trip returning to Los Cruces. The guest at his ranch near Rhodes Pass, in the San Andres Mountains of New Mexico were: Black Jack Ketchem,The Dalton Gang,The Apache Kid, Bill Doolin, and Claude Barbee. Gene entertained these "guest" with no questions asked. Later many of them became characters in his writings. C. L. Sonnichsen refers to him as "The Bard of Tularosa" in his book "Tularosa, Last of the Frontier West".
Gene was a famous Western author (14 novels and 60 short stories), who wrote from his own experience in the West. His early years were spent ranching and partnering with friends like Oliver Lee, who was tried for the murder of Henry Fountain, son of Judge Albert Fountain. Judge Fountain and his son disappeared on a buggy trip returning to Los Cruces. The guest at his ranch near Rhodes Pass, in the San Andres Mountains of New Mexico were: Black Jack Ketchem,The Dalton Gang,The Apache Kid, Bill Doolin, and Claude Barbee. Gene entertained these "guest" with no questions asked. Later many of them became characters in his writings. C. L. Sonnichsen refers to him as "The Bard of Tularosa" in his book "Tularosa, Last of the Frontier West".
