Sunday, July 1, 2012

Chicken Dinner: Mavericks, Paiutes, and a Blind Pianist

Can you believe it's nearly the 4th of July??? Independence Day has to be my favorite holiday--family, friends, food, and fireworks. What's not to love?

It's been a busy spring around Camp Rogers and the summer is lining up to be even busier. It's my favorite time of year, though. Love the fresh air and spring breezes.

Publication date for Much Ado About Mavericks (Hearts of Owyhee #3) was set for July 1 but Mélange Publishing already has it ready to go in Kindle. It'll be ready in other formats as well as in print. Plans are for Much Ado About Madams to go to print soon, too.

So what happened this week in the Old West?

July 3, 1884: Teddy Blue (E.C. Abbott), writes that Granville Stuart and his outfit hanged a rustler (near the present day ghost town of Giltedge in Fergus County, Montana).

July 4, 1854: Happy birthday to Bill Tilghman!

July 5, 1867: - Battle with the Paiutes at Donner and Blitzen Creek in Oregon Territory--Lt. Col. George Crook was attacked as the 1st Cavalry was camped. They'd been pursuing the Paiutes. Five Paiutes were killed but the Indians ran off most of the horses and mules, leaving them stranded.

Silver City (Idaho Territory) residents had lots of business dealings in the rest of the country, and often with Texas cattlemen. Here's a report from The Owyhee Avalanche, first printed June 29, 1872, and reprinted June 27, 2012.
HOME AGAIN. Con. Shea got back from Texas this week, and is in best of health. He has 1,400 head of beef cattle on the Arkansas River, in [the] charge of his brother Tim, Dan Driscol, Jack Stoddard, George Stoddard, and Billy Treloar. The boys are all well and are having a a gay time among the Arkansas girls. Mr. Shea saw Tom Ewing and Charley Ingraham at Ellsworth, Kansas. Tome is dealing in cattle, and getting rich. Tom Bugbee is also there engaged in the same business, and doing well. Joe Corwin is at Wichita, Kansas, speculation in lands and cattle, making plenty of money. Mr. Shea informs us that his (Shea's) cattle will probably arrive here this fall.
And they had lots of entertainment as well. No television or video games in those days, you know.
THE CONCERT. The concert, given under the auspices of the Masonic Fraternity, last Saturday evening, for the benefit of Prof. Stanley, the blind pianist, gave immense satisfaction adn was a decided success finaancially, the net proceeds amounting to $227. For an almost impromptu affair, we do not believe there is not a mining camp on the Pacific coast that could furnish a better entertainment.
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Excerpt plus an RTW interview with Matthew Pizzolato

2 comments:

  1. YeeHaw! So glad the next Much Ado book is out. Looking forward to reading it. Love the cover! You always have terrific covers. Madams is the prettiest, but I love Mavericks. Wishing you a gazillion sales!

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  2. "Much Ado" looks terrific! Good Luck with your book!
    landrybreaux@yahoo.com

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