In Meade, 'Country Music Sources', the earliest reference is: 'C.F. Lummis, "An old song of the trail", Out West, 1904'. The Laws reference is 'Laws H30'.

In his note to a fragment sung by Warde H. Ford of Crandon, Wis, in 1939, to a different tune to the McClintock 1928 recording, Archie Green indicated that the earliest printed text known to him appeared in M.C. Dean 'The Flying Cloud' 1922 and that the fullest text was sent to Robert W. Gordon in 1924 by R.M. MacLeod from Winnipeg, Canada. [Archie Green at p9 of booklet accompanying Various Artists 'Railroad Songs and Ballads' Rounder CD 1508].

--Stewie.