| ca. 1920 - Bee Ho and Will Rogers |
| I've heard my whole life how Bee Ho "taught Will Rogers to rope". While that way of describing their friendship greatly simplifies it, there is some truth to the statement. The documentation I have at least confirms that Bee Ho contributed to Will Rogers' roping skills. In the book "Will Rogers Rope Tricks", A Western Horseman Book, Frank Dean, 1969, Mr. Dean writes on page 49, "Tex McLeod, another great trick roper who had roped with Will many times said Will learned a lot from Bee Hoo Grey [sic], Montana Jack Ray, and other ropers...". Click on the image below for the quote mentioned above (first column, second paragraph). |
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| Bee Ho apparently had been very good friends with Will Rogers at some point in his life. They first met at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904 where they peformed together. Rogers had just returned from South Africa where he found his first chance to perform with Texas Jack's Wild West Show. Rogers and Bee Ho performed together on several occasions between 1908 and 1913. They are said to have traveled long distances by horseback en route to the venues where they performed vaudeville shows together. The image below is a letter sent to Bee Ho from Will Rogers on January 11, 1933. |
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