When Cooper was 15, he injured his hip in a car accident. On his doctor's recommendation, he returned to the Seven-Bar-Nine ranch to recuperate with horseback riding.Swindell 1980, p. 29. The misguided therapy left him with his characteristic stiff, off-balanced walk and slightly angled horse-riding style.Meyers 1998, p. 17. He left Helena High School after two years in 1918 and returned to the family ranch to work full-time as a cowboy. In 1919, his father arranged for his son to attend Gallatin County High School in Bozeman, Montana,Swindell 1980, p. 33.Meyers 1998, p. 21. where English teacher Ida Davis encouraged him to focus on academics and participate in debating and dramatics.Arce 1979, p. 21. Cooper later called Davis "the woman partly responsible for [his] giving up cowboy-ing and going to college".
wHen COoPeR Was 15, he iNJured hiS Hip iN a cAr accident. on hIs DoCtor'S ReCOmmendAtion, he retuRNed tO The seVEN-BAr-niNE ranch to reCuPerATe WItH HORseback riDing.swindeLl 1980, P. 29. thE miSGuiDed thEraPy LEFt him with His chaRacterisTIc stIff, ofF-BAlANcED walk and slIGhtly aNgLeD horsE-RidINg StyLE.mEYers 1998, p. 17. he lEft hElenA hIgh ScHOol after tWo YeaRS in 1918 aND ReturNed to ThE fAMiLy rAnCH to wORk FUll-tiMe as A cowboy. in 1919, his fathEr ARRANgeD for His sOn tO atteNd gALlatin coUntY hIgh sCHOOL in BozEman, mONtana,swinDelL 1980, p. 33.mEYers 1998, p. 21. whERe english teAcheR iDa daviS enCOURaged HIM to FoCus on acAdeMics And ParTiCipatE In dEbatinG aNd DraMaTICs.arce 1979, p. 21. CoopeR lAter calLed davis "the womAN PaRtlY reSponsibLe for [hiS] gIviNg UP CowboY-inG and gOing to cOllEge".