"The Taming of Red Butte Western" by Francis Lynde is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book centers around the struggles of Howard Lidgerwood, the newly appointed superintendent of the Red Butte Western, tasked with bringing order and discipline to a chaotic railroad in a harsh desert landscape populated by outlaws and disreputable workers. The narrative explores themes of personal courage, the challenges of leadership, and the complex dynamics of frontier life. The opening of the book introduces Lidgerwood as a man grappling with self-doubt and fear of confrontation. He meets with Stuart Ford, the vice-president of the Pacific Southwestern System, who tries to convince him to take on the formidable challenge of civilizing the unruly railroad. Despite his qualifications, Lidgerwood expresses his anxieties about the violent environment and his perceived cowardice, revealing his internal conflict. As the story progresses, he reluctantly accepts the position, setting the stage for his encounters with the tough realities of the Red Butte Western and its workforce, including confrontations with men who may threaten his authority. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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