Ralph Moody
In the early 1920's, cowboy and farmer, Ralph Moody finds himself with mountainous debts through the collapse of the livestock market and the dealings of a crooked partner. Ralph never surrenders, but finds a way to turn tragedy into opportunity.
Who would have believed that a knobby-kneed little colt named Seabiscuit would become one of the most celebrated racehorses of all time? Although Seabiscuit was the grandson of the legendary Man O' War, he was neither handsome nor graceful. His head was too big, his legs were too short, and his gallop was awkward.
During the depths of the Great Depression, however, Seabiscuit won against incredible odds and uplifted the hearts of people throughout
...Prior to the Civil War, the fastest mail between the West Coast and the East took almost thirty days by stagecoach along a southern route through Texas. Some Californians feared their state would not remain in the Union, separated so far from the free states. Then businessman William Russell invested in a way to deliver mail between San Francisco and the farthest western railroad, in Saint Joseph, Missouri—across two thousand miles of mountains,
...At age eleven, Ralph becomes man of the family and an entrepreneur. He continues his horse riding, cattle driving, and the Moodys start a cooking business.
Ralph has just turned twenty, and lands in Western Nebraska with only one dime in his pocket. Three months later, Ralph has formed his own harvesting crew, as he leads 6 men and eight teams of horses, on the 'dry divide.'
Ralph "Little Britches" Moody at age 13 moves with his mother, Mary Emma, and 5 siblings "back East" to begin a new life. They survive their first bleak winter in Massachusetts through the help of close relatives and caring friends. Money and prospects are few, but not faith and resourcefulness. Despite their efforts they face run-ins with local authorities, hardships including broken furnaces and plumbing, and difficulty keeping a small family
...Now 19 years old, skinny and suffering from diabetes, Ralph Moody is ordered by his Boston doctor to seek a more healthful climate out West. Remembering his childhood ranching adventures, Ralph is delighted to strike out for new territory and prospects.