From This Valley

Red River is a unique world unto itself…about a half mile wide and seven miles long. Nobody here really cares if you made it big somewhere. They do want to know if you would help shovel their jeep out of the snow bank they drove into while looking at the elk herd in the meadow on their way to their cabin.

The town and many of its visitors are quirky. Women like Tillie Simion have always run this town and frequently their husbands with an iron fist. Tillie, without knowing…or probably caring… was a rabid feminist, successful business woman, intimidating social force, and one the state’s best known Republicans. Go figure. The local newspaper reported in the 40’s that the first deer of the season was shot by “Hank” Mutz. For those who don’t know, “Hank” is actually Henrietta Mutz, the wife of Johnny Mutz…as of today I imagine she can still outshoot most of the men and women in these parts. They had daughters, of course. All three of whom could, did, and still do out ride, out work, and probably outshoot the Texans and Okies. Forget about messing with Texas; don’t mess with the Mutz’es.