Lecture Series: “My Life with Will James” by Kim Harris

This living history program brings to life the adventures of Alice Conradt James.

Alice Conradt was just 16 years old when she married 28-year-old Will James, in Reno, Nevada. Alice met James through her brother Fred, not long after James’ sketches appeared on promotional material and posters for the 1919 First Annual Nevada Round-up, known today as the Reno Rodeo.

Alice Conradt James followed her husband on many adventures; from Nevada to their Rocking R Ranch in Montana, and to Hollywood where James worked as a stunt man. She was also there when James was honored with the Newberry Medal in 1927 for his book “Smoky the Cowhorse”. Their marriage enjoyed many ups and suffered several downs, but they never had a dull moment.

Today Will James’ work is recognized alongside Frederick Remington and Charles Russell. James died in 1942 at the beginning of when America became involved in World War II. His notoriety was never fulfilled until he was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1992, on the hundredth anniversary of his birth. Alice’s unfinished memoir “My Life with Will James” is held in the special collections department at the University of Nevada, Reno.

About Kim Harris: Performing as a Chautauquan for over 10 years via her business “Western History ALIVE!”, Kim Harris regularly portrays several local and national historic figures which include Pony Express rider Warren Upson, stagecoach driver Charley Parkhurst, Genoa and Nevada suffragist Lillian Virgin Finnegan, frontierswoman Calamity Jane and acquitted axe murderess Lizzie Borden.