Lynde Art Burns

The home, studio, and original-art collection of "cowboy cartoonist" Stan Lynde (Rick O'Shay, Latigo) was destroyed by fire Dec. 22.

According to the Billings, Mont. Gazette, Lynde's suburban Billings home was totally destroyed in the early-morning fire. Firefighters' efforts to save the home were hampered by frozen equipment and pipes (overnight temperatures that night reached -26). The fire's cause has not been determined; Lynde said later that he had installed a trouble light outside the house a to keep a doghouse warm in the bitter cold.

Lynde, his wife and his sister escaped unharmed. His studio, research library and art collection (including the first Rick O'Shay strip, published in 1958) were among the home's contents, along with a collection of classic firearms. All that survived were an inventory of Lynde's books (kept in a nearby garage) and a two-foot steel sculpture of O'Shay character Hipshot Percussion.

Lynde told the Gazette that he was thankful for what was saved. "We barely got out with our lives," he said. "I can draw more stuff." He also said he'd work to rebuild his research library, which contained extensive clippings and pictures of cowboys and the old west. Anyone with old Western magazines or history books can contact Lynde in care of Cottonwood Graphics. (800) 937-6343.