The late Louis L'amour was/is one of my favorite authors, and I found his son Beau's insight into the story behind this cover photo fascinating. Even when you eyes say something is so, you better double check your sources.
Beau notes that Louis barely knew how to drive, never had a license, and never owned a car. Friends or relatives drove him whenever he could talk them into it, other times, he rode the bus or train or walked. On this trip he traveled with a friend, Ed Ross. After Louis died of lung cancer we got a lot of mail from fans about his having been a smoker. It was all because of this picture, which was reproduced on the back cover of his novel "COMSTOCK LODE." Louis never smoked, but the slip of paper that is laying on the counter inside the Post Office was mistaken for a cigarette being held between the fingers of his right hand.
