(Photo courtesy of Mary Jefferson)

Edgar Wray Thistlethwaite was a Canadian cowboy, dude wrangler, Sierra Nevada packer, author, and western artist in California from the 30's until his death in the 50's! He had a college degree but loved the cowboy life, so much so that he followed it and authored many articles on the west as well as painting it. He did about 50 sketches for Cutter laboratories and had many paintings over the west, Barstow, CA among others! He published cowboy information illustrations in western pulp magazines. He and I (Dean Guthery) were in Barstow for the 1947 rodeo! He was a cowboy on the VX Bar Ranch out of Barstow. He packed for Mt. Whitney Pack Trains in the 1940's. He was my (Dean's) Dad's best friend and he and I packed mules and wrangled dudes together out of Independance, Cal. in 1947. If I remember correctly he told me he had a brother and sister ( or more) who were college professors. I don't remember where. He and his mother were in Piru 1930 census!
Dean Guthery
February 2007

I knew Ed while growing up in Independence from the early 50's until graduating in '63. I remember sitting for hours listening to him talk about his life, family, etc. He was from a very well to do family and was educated at Oxford but only wanted to paint horses. My dad tried for years to get Ed to paint a nude but he always refused. My Mother and Father (Sam and Dorthy Henderson) owned the Village Market in Independence. They were Ed's best friends up until his tragic death. My dad stayed with him at the hospital in Lone Pine until he passed away. My sister Gayle and I both have large pictures painted by Ed. He would come to the store and my folks would give him his winter provisions for Convict Lake where he painted all winter. He would then give them a choice of the paintings. I also have photographic proofs of his series of paintings of a horse from being born, captured, broke, companion and finally being turned out to pasture until death. Upon his death his family claimed everything he left behind so a lot of his work has disappeared. I'll be happy to share anything I have with you all.
James Henderson
October 200


I knew Ed when I was a young man in Lone Pine and Independence. About three or four years ago I tried to find out information on Ed. Just because he was so interesting plus the fact I own two of his paintings (on plywood) and three of his pencil sketches he did for Cutter Labs. You probably know Lona Tankersley Burkhart as Ed worked for her and assume you and/or your Dad may have also. I have quite a bit of info I would be glad to share with you if you are still interested. My Dad and Mother were Al and Bink Bostrom.
Dan Bostrom
January 2010


I think that your father worked for the Circle Dot Pack Train in the 20's and 30's. My father, Buck Hyers, owned the Circle Dot at that time. At one time we had a stack of paintings on wood boards that were done by your dad. Unfortunately, all but one were stolen in the 6Os's. I do have one left and I would be glade to send you a photo. You cannot read the title but it is "just an old cowboy from the Circle Dot"
Please send your email address and I will send the photo.
Buck Hyers, Grass Valley, CA.
September 2009


My father was the dentist in Lone Pine ca. in the late 50's and talked about Thistlethwaite many times. We have two of his paintings that were given to him from Carls Cafie in Lone Pine.
Tobias Hammer
October 2007

I knew Ed and your Dad (Tobias Hammer's dad). Was he a partner with Dr. Dyer?
I also have two of Ed's paintings and three of his pencil scketches. The paintings were given to me by Ron Ellis of Lone Pine. His Dad owned Ellis Motors and Ron Married my Sister Sandie. Both Ron and Sandie have passed away some time ago. Lona Tankersley Burkhart filled me in on a lot of Ed's history going clear back to Barstow. I think Ed worked for her father back then.I would be glad to share any info I have.
Dan Bostrom
January 2010

1947 - Sierra Club High Trip at Salley Keyes Lake
L to R (back row): Charley Gilmore, Bud Steele, Murt Stewart, Tommy Jefferson, Paul Vischer, Pete Garner, Ike Livermore, Ed Thistlewaite, Smokey Bye

L to R (front row): Ivan Hanson, Bill Smart, Bob Steele, Ted Ortt

Courtesy of Dan Bostrom

Courtesy of Dan Bostrom

Postcard from the 20-Mule-Team Museum in Boron, CA

Courtesy of Paul Lamos

1934 - The Ventura County Star - Article about Ed Thistlethwaite

Ed Thistlethwaite
(Photo courtesy National Museum of Forest Service History)

Ed Thistlethwaite Letters to Bill Smart
(Courtesy of Paul Lamos)

Bill Smart (Photo courtesy Paul Lamos)

July 1940 - Onion Valley, Archie Dean, waiting for Bill
Page 1

November 1940 - Tule Lake, Tapo Ranch, Archie Dean, horse shoeing, Lone Pine
Page 1, Page 2

September 1943 - Air Force, Panamint Valley, Snake River, rodeo, Rio Blanco, Archie Dean
Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

October 1946 - Ed writes from Archie Dean's Onion Valley pack station

Page 1, Page 2

February 1947 - Ed writes from Archie Dean's Onion Valley pack station
Page 1, Page 2

April 1947 - Ed talks about his "nighthawk" commitment to Ike Livermore
Page 1, Page 2

February 1948 - Archie Dean, packing in Alaska, painting
Page 1, Page 2

January 1951 - Elko jail, marriage, Carson City, broken ribs from horse
Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

June 1952 - Congratulations for "Doc Smart", painting, Sam Lewis, Charles Morgan
Page 1, Page 2

October 1953 - Charles Morgan, Archie Dean, painting
Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

March 1957 - Lompoc, Convict Lake
Page 1

February 1959 - Letter to Bill from Dorothy Thistlethwaite on Ed's passing
Page 1, Page 2

Ed Thistlethwaite pulp magazine illustration
British edition of "West" magazine - April 1938

British edition of "West" magazine - June 1938

Ed Thistlethwaite pulp magazine illustration

British edition of "West" magazine - April 1938

Ed Thistlethwaite pulp magazine illustration
British edition of "West" magazine - August 1938

British edition of "West" magazine - August 1938

Ed Thistlethwaite pulp magazine illustration
British edition of "West" magazine - Mid February 1937

British edition of "West" magazine - Mid February 1937

Ed Thistlethwaite pulp magazine illustration
British edition of "West" magazine - January 1938