Oklahoma May Lillie Sharp Shooter Cowgirl and Husband Pawnee Bill Real Photo Postcard

Theodore Roosevelt's profound connection to the American West, cultivated during his ranching days in the Dakota Territory in the 1880s, significantly shaped his public image. This cowboy persona, embodying rugged individualism, physical vigor, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors, became a cornerstone of his political identity. His embrace of Western life, including horsemanship and hunting, solidified his reputation as a man of action and purpose, resonating deeply with the American public in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.