“A man any woman might love but no sane woman would marry.” That was Isabella Bird’s verdict on Jim Nugent, better known as Rocky Mountain Jim. And yet, when the Victorian traveler and the gruff mountain man met in Estes Park, Colorado, in 1873, neither could quite walk away from the other.
I’m delighted that Midwest Book Review calls The Lady and the Mountain Man: Isabella Bird, Rocky Mountain Jim, and Their Unlikely Friendship “a thoroughly captivating slice of history” and highly recommends it for public library Western history collections.
Isabella was a minister’s daughter, a writer, and a world traveler. She was expected to marry a man of means and position. Jim was a desperado who knew the Rocky Mountains in a way few people did. What they shared was a love of wild country, and on the climb up Longs Peak, their unlikely friendship deepened into something neither had expected.
What drew me to their story was the contrast between Isabella’s clear-eyed assessment of Jim and the affection she felt for him. She understood exactly why a woman ought to keep her distance. She also understood why one might not.
Thank you to Midwest Book Review for shining a light on this true story from the American West.
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Wonderful news! According to Kate has won Best Narrative Short at the 13th Annual Cannes Independent Film Festival!
My heartfelt thanks to our extraordinary cast, talented crew, and Lone Rider, LLC, for bringing Kate Elder’s story to the screen with such care, passion, and artistry. This honor belongs to everyone who gave their time and talent to this film.
History remembered the gunfighters. She survived them. And we’re honored to share her story.
According to Kate Festival News
Kate Elder has more stories to tell and more screens to tell them on!
The Billy the Kid Film Festival and the Las Vegas International Film Festival have officially announced that According to Kate will screen at both events. The film has also been named a nominee for the Cannes Independent Short Film Festival!
We’re thrilled to see the work of our talented cast and crew recognized and grateful for each opportunity to share Kate’s story with new audiences.
History remembered the gunfighters. She survived them.
Oklahoma’s own Wild West show performers May Lillie and Pawnee Bill have had a pretty good week—especially for a couple who haven’t booked a performance in decades!
The Sharpshooter and the Showman has won a Gold Medallion at the Will Rogers Medallion Awards and been named a 2026 WILLA Literary Award Finalist in Scholarly Nonfiction by Women Writing the West.
What an honor to see their remarkable story recognized. May and Pawnee Bill still know how to bring home the applause!
“Absolutely the Best Time Ever.”
“It’s a wonderful family to belong to.”
“What an extraordinary celebration of creativity, talent, and the rich heritage of the American West!”
The messages arriving after this past weekend’s Will Rogers Medallion Award program have brought smiles, a few happy tears, and a welcome reminder of why we do this work.
Authors, filmmakers, poets, musicians, publishers, and sponsors are sharing stories of friendships formed, memorable conversations, and the joy of having their work recognized among people who understand the dedication behind it. Poet KC LaCourse called our community “a wonderful family to belong to.” That sentiment runs through so many of the responses.
We were honored to celebrate Lifetime Achievement recipients Barry Corbin and Bruce Boxleitner, Golden Lariat recipient Clint Black, and the remarkable talents of Dean Butler, Peter Billingsley, and our fellow medallion winners. Music producer Merel Bregante reminded us how much recognition matters to those working “on the other side of the glass.” Every story, film, book, and song represents people whose contributions deserve to be remembered.
From the gatherings at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum to the writing sessions and awards banquet in Tulsa, this was a celebration of the people keeping Western storytelling alive and welcoming others into its future.
My heartfelt thanks to WRMA board members Laurie Cockerell, Jennifer Rogers, Tad Jones, Chris Mullen, Reavis Wortham, Harriet and Preston Lewis, Shane Clouse, Joni Franks, Bill Markley, our volunteers, sponsors, museum partners, and everyone who joined us. Your generosity and hard work made these experiences possible.
Congratulations to every honoree. Thank you for giving us so much to celebrate and for carrying the stories and spirit of the West forward.
Happy trails until we gather again!
According to Kate with Writer/Actor Chris Enss In Person
Join us to both watch the film and hear from the writer and actor of this biographical western film based on the life of Mary Kate Cummings—widely known as “Big Nose Kate”—the famous partner of Doc Holliday. Set in 1899, the story follows an elderly Kate reflecting on her turbulent frontier life, her relationship with Holliday, and her eyewitness account of events like the Gunfight at O.K. Corral.
Chris will provide an introduction and engage with the audience following the screening, as well as do a book signing. Several of her books will be for sale at the Western Spirit Museum Store including According to Kate: The Legendary Life of Big Nose Kate, Love of Doc Holiday, which is the original source for this film.
Chris Enss is a New York Times bestselling author who has been writing about women of the Old West for more than thirty years. She has penned more than fifty published books on the subject. Her work has been honored with nine Will Rogers Medallion Awards, two Elmer Kelton Book Awards, an Oklahoma Center for the Book Award, three Foreword Review Magazine Book Awards, two-time winner of the Downing Journalism Award, and a Willa Cather Award from Women Writing the West for scholarly nonfiction
Program Info:
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
3:00 p.m.
FREE for Museum Members (Members, log-in first to reserve tickets)
FREE with Museum Admission
$10 for just the program
3830 N. Marshall Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-686-9539
There could hardly have been a more fitting setting for yesterday’s screening of According to Kate than the Tombstone Courthouse. Sharing Kate Elder’s story in the town so closely tied to her life made the occasion especially meaningful. Our cast and crew were delighted by the warm reception and the audience’s generous compliments about the film.
The gracious Craig Hensley, Manuela Schneider, and Curt Lambert made the day even more special. My heartfelt thanks to Lone Rider Productions, LLC, and to Brittni and Curtis at the courthouse for their hard work in helping make this event possible.
Today brought another opportunity to step into the past in Prescott! Among these photos are Manuela and me dressed for filming an interactive hologram project for the Western Heritage Center—Manuela as Kate Elder and me as Laura Bullion. It was an honor to be asked to contribute to a project that brings these women’s stories to life.
In between filming and book signings, we visited Kate Elder’s final resting place—a quiet, meaningful moment amid a busy weekend devoted to sharing her story.
According to Kate screens this evening at the Touchmark Theater in Prescott. I’d like to think Kate would be pleased to know she’s still being remembered.
Arizona, here I come! I’m heading out for book signing events with my sweet friend Sherry Monahan, talking about According to Kate: The Legendary Life of Big Nose Kate, Love of Doc Holliday, and taking part in screenings of our award-winning short film, According to Kate, with author and star Manuela Schneider.
From Arizona, I’m off to Oklahoma for the Will Rogers Medallion Award, where we’ll pay tribute to some of the finest writers in the Western genre and celebrate our medallion winners alongside such amazing talent as Clint Black, Barry Corbin, Dean Butler, and Bruce Boxleitner.
It’s going to be a busy but rewarding trip—visiting dear friends, making new ones, sharing stories, and honoring the written word of the West. I hope to see some of you along the way!
