July 21st, 2010

I’m overwhelmed with the amount of information I’ve uncovered about Cherokee lawman Sam Sixkiller. He was an unbelievable fearless man. I haven’t even started writing about him yet, but feel I might like him as much as I do Bill Tilghman. I spoke with Walter Hill yesterday about the film version of Thunder Over the Prairie. He asked me to send him some additional information about Dora Hand and the posse. I’m happy to oblige and very excited for work to start on the movie. I’d trade everything for my brother to be home and well though. I’m working on a few new book ideas. One is entitled 10 Love Lessons Learned from Wild West Women. I’ve included 5 to the post today. I think it will be a fun book to write. Calamity Jane – Frontierswoman and professional scout, gained fame fighting Native American Indians. She was best known for the love and devotion she had for Wild Bill Hickok. After years of pursuing the man of her dreams she learned that being one of the guys won’t win his heart. Alice Fletcher – A pioneer ethnologist and leader of the move to bring Native Americans into the main stream. She found the man of her dreams among the Plains Indians. She learned that expanding your horizons could lead to your heart’s content. Eleanora Dumont – One of the West’s most shrewd gamblers. She owned and operated one of the first saloons in Nevada County, California. She excelled at the game of 21, winning several thousands of dollars off gold seeking miners. She failed to win the affections of the editor of a newspaper she set her sights on because she was a too good at her job. She eventually lost the fortune she had amassed and died alone. She learned that love conquers all things – except poverty and being a better poker player. Lotta Crabtree – Child star who became one of the wealthiest and most beloved American entertainers of the late 19th century. Her mother was the quintessential stage mother who helped launch her career. Not only did her mother manage her business affairs, but she also managed to drive away any men who came to call. Lotta never married. She learned that mom might be good for advancing young talent, but not good for advancing young romance. Luzena Stanley Wilson – Gold Rush entrepreneur and founder of the profitable El Dorado hotel in Nevada. Men were wild for Luzena’s honey biscuits, including her husband. While he was off searching for gold, Luzena was making a fortune with her baked goods. He returned from the gold fields to find that Luzena had hit the Mother Lode. Luzena learned that the way to a man’s heart is not only by filling his stomach with culinary delights, but by keeping his wallet filled as well.