The Last of the Plainsmen

In Short

This book serves as a biographical tribute to Charles "Buffalo" Jones, a legendary plainsman who transitioned from a buffalo hunter to a dedicated conservationist. Through the lens of an adventurous hunting expedition near the Grand Canyon, it captures the raw, unforgiving beauty of the Arizona desert and the fierce intensity of a man determined to master, rather than kill, the wild. It has endured as a classic of Western literature because it bridges the gap between the vanishing frontier and the burgeoning conservation movement, documenting a specific, fading American spirit.

The Story

The narrative begins as an introduction to Buffalo Jones, a man who, after years of slaughtering bison for a livelihood, experiences a crisis of conscience. He resolves to "preserve" the species, dedicating his life to capturing wild animals alive. The author joins Jones on a 1907 expedition into the Arizona desert and the rugged terrain surrounding the north rim of the Grand Canyon, seeking to document the old plainsman’s unconventional methods.

The journey is a grueling test of endurance. The party traverses vast, shimmering stretches of desert where the mirage acts as a constant, treacherous lure, teaching the narrator the true value of water. They eventually reach the high, pine-fringed plateaus of Buckskin Mountain, where the objective shifts from simple travel to the pursuit and capture of mountain lions. Jones is a demanding leader who expects the same grit from his companions that he demands of his horses and hounds. He employs a unique, often harsh method of training his dogs, believing that only through trial and "hurt" can they learn the specialized work of tracking predators.

The group faces extreme environments, ranging from sweltering red-rock ridges to sudden, biting snow squalls that transform the landscape into a white, roaring wilderness. Along the way, they discover ancient, mysterious petroglyphs in remote canyons—symbols of a lost civilization that add a layer of historical weight to their journey. Jones’s obsession with capturing "Kitty"—a large, elusive cougar—becomes the centerpiece of their adventure. He approaches the task not with the cold calculation of a hunter, but with the focused, technical precision of a roper.

The climax of the hunt involves a dangerous, tree-climbing pursuit where Jones risks his life to rope the cougar. The success of the capture is a moment of professional triumph for him, validating his belief in his own skill and the superiority of his methods. As the expedition concludes, the party prepares to descend from the heights of the plateau. Rather than reflecting on the end of their labors, Jones immediately pivots toward the future, planning a new, even more ambitious hunt for grizzly bears in Utah. The story ends not with a finality, but with a transition, as the group packs their gear and heads back toward civilization, already anticipating the next challenge of the wild.

How It Unfolds

The transition of a hunter The narrative introduces Jones as a man who smashed his rifle to become a conservationist. He now seeks to capture, tame, and preserve the wild animals of the West.

The desert trial The author joins Jones on a treacherous trek across the arid Arizona plains. They encounter the deceptive beauty of the mirage and learn the life-or-death necessity of finding water.

The training of the pack Upon reaching the mountain camp, Jones begins the rigorous process of disciplining his hounds. He uses unconventional, stern methods to break the dogs of chasing deer and focus them entirely on mountain lions.

The discovery of the past While navigating the remote canyons, the men stumble upon ancient, weathered rock paintings. These mysterious figures serve as a haunting reminder of the human history carved into the landscape.

The hunt for the cougar The party tracks a large mountain lion, leading to a tense, acrobatic confrontation in the trees. Jones risks his own safety to rope the beast, showcasing his unique blend of fearlessness and technical skill.

The promise of more As the expedition winds down, the men reflect on their success and the hardships endured. Jones characteristically refuses to rest, immediately plotting a future hunt to test his mettle against the bears of Utah.

The People

Buffalo Jones is the central, driving force of the narrative. Driven by an obsession that borders on the divine, he acts as both a mentor to the author and a master of the wilderness. He is a man of singular purpose, viewing the wild not as something to be conquered through death, but as a resource to be mastered through capture and control. His resilience is matched only by his stern, uncompromising nature.

The narrator serves as the curious, often physically overwhelmed observer. He represents the "tenderfoot" who is forced to discard his preconceptions about the West. He moves from a state of exhaustion and discomfort to one of profound respect for the harsh realities Jones inhabits.

Frank and Jim are the loyal, capable frontiersmen who support the operation. Frank acts as the pragmatic horseman, quick to judge the narrator’s lack of skill yet essential to the survival of the party. Jim, the steady hand, provides the labor and the companionship needed to sustain them. Together, these men form a rugged collective, bound by the unforgiving environment and the authority of their leader. They emerge from the experience battered but hardened, their bonds cemented by the shared thrill of the hunt.

In Its Own Voice

"Killing was repulsive to him."

In describing Jones's life, the author explains the man's profound moral pivot from hunter to preserver.

"Water is the greatest thing on earth."

After nearly dying of thirst in the desert, the narrator realizes the stark, fundamental truth of the arid landscape.

"So real had been the illusion that I could not believe I was not soon to drink and wade and dabble in the cool waters."

The author reflects on the psychological toll of the mirage, which torments the traveler with the promise of non-existent water.

What It's Really About

The book explores the tension between civilization and the untamed wilderness. It asks whether the "wild" can truly be controlled or if it is an essential, independent force that must eventually be preserved rather than consumed. Jones acts as the bridge between two eras—the era of the buffalo hunter and the era of the modern conservationist. The book argues that the true "plainsman" is one who possesses an intimate, almost spiritual understanding of animal behavior. Beneath the adventure plot lies a meditation on the mystery of human yearning, as the author seeks to understand why a man would dedicate his life to such a dangerous, unattainable goal. It is ultimately a study of obsession and the price of maintaining a connection to a vanishing, rugged world.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate the classic, rugged aesthetic of American Western literature will find this account gripping. It is a portrait of a landscape so vast and unforgiving that it forces a character change in everyone who enters it. The writing is deeply sensory—you can feel the biting cold of the Buckskin Mountain wind and the oppressive, shimmering glare of the desert.

Modern readers should be prepared for the book's period-specific attitudes. The author’s view of the landscape and its inhabitants is deeply rooted in the early 20th century, and Jones’s harsh methods of training animals may be difficult for some to read today. The pace is deliberate, mirroring the slow, exhausting nature of a real expedition, and the prose occasionally leans into the romanticized, high-flown language common to the author’s era. However, if you are drawn to true accounts of survival, the history of the American West, or the study of a complex, flawed, and indomitable character, the book offers a rich experience. What stays with you is the haunting beauty of the Grand Canyon’s north rim and the stubborn, singular intensity of Buffalo Jones—a man who, in his own way, tried to force the wild to stand still.