Hi all,
First post for me. I'm a new shooter (Grandfather taught me how to shoot when I was a boy, but I was never an owner of a firearm (if you don't count his old Springfield Krag) until recently. A few years ago, while shopping for a Glock, I met an older gentleman that seemed keen to give me some advice while shopping at a local gunshop. Being somewhat different than some folks of my generation, and always open to learning from anyone that is willing to teach, I paid close attention to what he had to say. Fast forward a couple years, and I find myself lucky to have an amazing mentor that has taken me under his wing, and taught me the old ways of big calibers, revolvers, and lever action rifles.
I haven't read the book, but it's no surprise to me that alot of Elmer's stories are perceived as tall tales. Guys like Elmer Keith and Skeeter Skelton were a rare breed in their time, and today well...they are just legends.
My grandmother turns 94 today. She was a test pilot during WW II. I have pictures of her in her flight suit, in the cockpits of experimental planes (since declassified) and teaching young men star navigation. By today's standards, this would sound like a tall tale for a woman that only stands 4ft 9 inches. At the ripe age of 94, her bone density is so low, it cannot be measured. What would be a slight discomfort bumping into something/sitting down wrong for you or I, results in many fractures for her in her spine, hips, and other bones.
After fracturing her hip last year at 93, I watched this small woman the size of yoda, refuse any help, and transport herself to and from wheelchair without assistance. She then spent the better part of 40 minutes pushing herself down a hallway to "get the laundry" which she then placed on her lap (could break more bones) so that she could spend another 40 minutes traversing the small house back to her bedroom to put said laundry away. All the while refusing any help.
People "back then" were made of different mettle. We are sons and daughters of convenience, and luxury. While I haven't read Mr. Keith's book, from what I know of him and from what has been said here, I have no reason to doubt anything he has said.
-Freq