Journal Notes

Book Review.
The Many Loves of Buffalo Bill: The True Story of Life on the Wild West Show. By Chris Enss. Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, CT. ISBN 978-0-7627-4815-0. $21.50. xviii + 150 pages. Soft cover. 24 illustrations. Endnotes. Bibliography. Index. Reviewed by Chuck Parsons.
Even a cursory glance through Chris Enss’ bibliography suggests there is a plethora of information about the world’s most famous scout. Four books by Cody himself are listed, as well as a biography by his wife Louisa; highly regarded biographies by Don Russell and R.L. Wilson, Helen Cody Wetmore and Nellie Snyder Yost are included. In addition there is a list of newspapers utilized dating from 1870 and for decades following. The twelve pages of endnotes confirm that she has made a serious attempt to document the loves of William F. Cody (1846-1917).
Author Enss maintains her focus of providing the reader with a near blow-by-blow accounting of the numerous objects of Cody’s love (and lust). We must admire his love for his four sisters — Julia, Helen, Eliza Alice and Mary Hannah — bonds maintained through the storms of their parents’ lives. Prior to his marriage Cody may have had romantic dalliances with any number of women, “Indian princesses” certainly, and following his marriage many more.
But rather than speculating on these probable trysts the author devotes her brief narrative to documentable affairs. Cody certainly suffered both emotionally and financially from the disclosure of these romances, although few people refused to buy tickets to his Wild West shows because of his infidelities. He suffered emotionally as his marriage disintegrated; his children suffered as they were fully aware of their father’s treatment of their mother. Louisa Cody, affectionately known as “Lulu,” was well aware of the extra-marital affairs of her husband and lived up to the axiom, “Hell hath no fury . . . .” The public became zealously aware when much of the Codys’ “dirty linen” was aired in open court during the divorce hearings.
The objects of Cody’s “love” also suffered. Katherine Clemmons perhaps suffered the most of all his women. She was described by Cody as “the finest looking woman in the world [78].” Upon meeting Cody she shared with him her “aspirations” for the stage. Hooked, Cody offered her $50,000 to tour England with him as his top actress. Her acting ability proved less than Ned Buntline’s creative writing ability; the kindest critics even pointed out that she was “devoid” of acting talent. Nevertheless, Cody continued to support her at great expense, until he even realized it was all for nothing.
While Enss discusses the loves of Buffalo Bill she also parallels the relationship with Louisa and his relationship with their children. In spite of all the heartaches the couple caused, Mrs. Cody ultimately chose to drop the divorce and remained his wife. Enss also brings in aspects of Cody’s early years as a scout and his stage career. In so doing Chris Enss provides us with an excellent study of an unpleasant side to the great scout’s life. It is best for those who have a limited knowledge of Cody’s career and the Wild West show business, although the so-called “buffs” will learn a few things. The moral of the tale is clearly presented although not in a heavy handed way. Cody’s love of the stage and his fidelity to children and friends was certainly legitimate and to be honored, but his illicit “loves” proved costly to many in more ways than one. Enss may not have intended to produce an informal moral treatise but nevertheless the lesson is there, clearly, and due to her writing style and her historical research.

More than 130 years ago today the folks at Fort Sumner, New Mexico were dealing with another murder at the hand of Billy the Kid. Billy shot and killed Joe Grant after having disabled the man’s gun earlier in the day. In 1894 in Bannock, Montana Sheriff Henry Plummer was hanged by vigilantes. You can read all about the corrupt Sheriff’s activities in the book Outlaw Tales of California. His career as a notorious outlaw began in the California. I’m off on a promotional tour for the new book The Many Loves of Buffalo Bill. First stop, Vegas. With regards to the threatening emails and hundreds of pornographic images that were sent to my business website on New Year’s Eve, the authorities have traced the IP address back to the user. Although the perpetrator removed the offensive material they posted about me from the livejournal.com site they could not remove the IP address information. I’m taking much of the historical research I have about the Custers on my trip. Hope to get a lot of work done between lectures and signing events. I was invited to speak at an event in Lone Pine, California in March. Many, many western were filmed there. It’s a beautiful spot. I still prefer Dodge City, Kansas however. If I can’t move to Dodge any time soon I’ve got to arrange another book signing event at the location. I’ll update my journal once I return from my trip. And as my life is generally not without controversary, I’m sure I’ll have a lot to write about.

Cowboy True’s Christmas Adventure

Author: Chris Enss

Illustrated by Melissa & Jeff Galpin

ISBN: 978-1-4363-6648-9, Pages 28, Paperback,

Published by Xlibris, Publication Date December 2008, Age Level: 3 to 7

Review by Clark Isaacs and Clark’s Eye on Books Article 12/20/09

Chris Enss is well known as a writer of western women’s tales, and now brings this quaint story of a young cowboy in “Cowboy True’s Christmas Adventure”. A children’s tale which tells a message that is always the same this time of year, to give unto others. Christmas is about caring and sharing. Enss shows that this is a lesson that can be taught at an early age with inspiration. This learning book is highly recommended for those young buck-a-roos who will discover the meaning of the golden rule and how to deal with those in need.

On this day in 1875, the notorious Doc Holliday was still recovering from a violent new year’s eve party. Doc and a surly bartender emptied their revolvers at one another in a Dallas saloon. Nobody was hurt. Alcohol may have been a factor. Also on this day in 1913, Josie Bassett (Bassett was a female rancher. She and her sister “Queen” Ann Bassett are known for their love affairs and associations with well known outlaws, particularly Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch) was mourning the death of her husband. On the 3rd of January she poisoned her spouse, Nig Wells, with strychnine in Lynwood, Wyoming. She was trying to sober him up after a 4 day bender by unknowingly serving him coffee in the wolf bait cup. In other news, I hope to finish chapter five of the Elizabeth Custer book today and use the rest of the week to schedule research trips to Oklahoma to learn all I can about a lawman named Sam Sixkiller. It seems like I’m running out of month very quickly. In addition to the Midwest trip planned I’ll be traveling to LA and possibly Montana. I need more January! Two newspapers reviewed the Buffalo Bill book and articles about the tome will be published in the Sacramento Bee and the Cody Enterprise next week. All indications are that the reviews are favorable. I’m pleased with the way the book turned out and hope it does well. I’m happy to send the press review copies, all you need do is ask.

In keeping with my fascination with the Old West I’m going to include some interesting items from that era that happened on this day way back when. I just might find another book out of the look back. On this day in 1869, the notorious thug and bully, Cullen Baker, was sitting beside the road in Arkansas having lunch with a pal when a posse rode up and killed them both. Baker was armed with a shotgun. Four pistols, three derringers, and six pocket knives. Also on this day in 1863, the first claim under the Homestead Act of 1862 is filed by Daniel Freeman, a few miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska. I hope to finish chapter five of the Elizabeth Custer book this week. No doubt I’ll have to put the work aside this morning to deal with the latest email threats. God does amazing things. Whatever they intended for bad He will use for good. I will continue to work on the book about my brother with the proceeds from the tome going to the Prison Fellowship Ministry. Chuck Colson is the head of the organization and a man I truly admire. Al Pierleoni with the Sacramento Bee phoned yesterday to ask about the new book The Many Loves of Buffalo Bill. Al does an article for the Bee about new books and will include the Buffalo Bill book in his column next week. I’m in Missouri most of next week doing book signings and giving lectures at schools. Hope the weather holds out back there. I’m not a big fan of driving in ice and snow. It’s 5:51 a.m.. Guess I need to get to work now.

And just like that the culprits who threatened my life and forwarded the horrible material to my site have been found out. North Carolina and Provo, Utah are two sources. Charges will certainly be pressed in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I continue to get encouraging messages like this one from truly Godly people. “Beautiful Lady, Honoré and I join your host of supporters as you deal with the evil people trying to take you down. I believe that evil people are demon possessed whose assignment is to attack God’s children.
Their attacks are provoked by their boss [satan] because your witness effects his popularity and makes his job harder. Imagine the strained look on his ugly face as he watches the standing ovation of your supporters as you walk across the stage of life holding the hand of the King of kings and Lord of lords. So rejoice and sing a song. Love, Cliff and Honoré.” It’s going to be okay now. I’ve praying for that for a long time.

It’s been a wonderful morning. Here are a sample of the emails I received overnight. I’ve contacted the police. Seems most originated from Greensboro, North Carolina. Harold Radisson
Haroldraddison@isuhl.com Chris Enss? More like Chris STUPID FUCKING COW lovelylady@fireandbrimestone.com be seeing you soon satan go to hell.
defending your brother means you are just as disgusting as him. xxxxx
xxx@xxx.com Perhaps you don’t quite understand the meaning of rape (which is not surprising considering you clearly lack a firm grasp on english). Here is a handy dandy definition provided by wikipedia: Rape, also referred to as sexual assault, is an assault by a person involving sexual intercourse with or without sexual penetration of another person without that person’s consent. Your brother is guilty and you are a terrible person for supporting him. He committed rape and he molested her. Hope you have fun rotting in hell. Clementine James
clementinejames@gmail.com You genuinely make me ill: defending a criminal and child rapist, then having the audacity to complain that his unfortunate soul is being raped in prison? There’s a reason even criminals have a hierarchy when locked up. There is nothing more innocent than a child and to rape, abuse, and ruin 10 years of one’s life is inexcusable to even the most vicious of criminals. THAT is why your brother is being raped in prison, and that is why it will continue. If you ask me, he should be castrated. I would tell you and your brother to enjoy hell, but some admirable people would be there according to the bible. Enjoy rotting in the earth and being remembered as sick, sick people. die die die General George A. Custer custer@littlebighorn.com
you are a sick human being. your brother is a sick human being. hope you have fun in hell. satan thedevil@hell.com see you soon
CHILD RAPISTS AND THEIR DEFENDERS BURN IN HELL J.C.
hgkgd@kiughcmskucdsl.com Hey, remember when you were a child and you didn’t get raped? That was awesome, right? You know what else would be awesome? Other kids not getting raped BY YOUR FUCKPIG OF A BROTHER.
God thebigguy@heavenabove.com Hey, just a friendly reminder, no heaven for the defenders of child rapists. If you want to kick it with me in the clouds some day, you’d better smarten the fuck up. Roseanne anothergirl@gmail.com Hey, how goes being a horrible, sick person? Hope your bed catches on fire as you sleep tonight.

The following is the opening from the book that comes out next year. I’m not quite sure what title the publisher will give the tome. This has been the most difficult writing assignment I’ve ever taken on. “He bled. The dirty socks filled with D-size batteries found the inmates’ head and the blow cut a deep swatch that sent blood gushing down his terrified face. Another sock stuffed with bars of soap busted his glasses and left bruises across his eye socket. Still another took out his dentures. The false teeth flew out of his mouth and were quickly stomped into shards of nothing. Welts and bleeding bulges riddled the prisoner’s face, head, and chest. He was still conscious when they jerked his pants off, bent him over a toilet in a back stall and raped him. He remembers seven, but thinks there might even had been eight men involved. More stood guard so the violent act could be played out. My brother awoke two days later with multiple contusions, impaired vision, a swollen mouth, and bloody gums. By the time I got to him, deep, protruding bruises had overtaken his once handsome face. Tears stood in his black-and-blue eyes. I sat down next to him and wept. He tried to speak, but I could barely understand him. After a few painstaking attempts I finally made out what he was trying to say. ‘Ask God to get here,’ he pleaded.”

I returned home to find a nice surprise waiting on my doorstep?advanced copies of The Many Loves of Buffalo Bill; The True Story of Life on the Wild West Show. Of all the books I’ve been privileged to work on, this one turned out the best. The cover, the typesetting, even the paper feels like a tome you would pick up at one of Cody’s Wild West Show. Buffalo Bill was the Tiger Woods of his day. Women were constantly throwing themselves at him. They knew he was married and had children, but they didn’t care. Louisa and he argued a lot over that. Of course Cody’s sisters believed he married the wrong woman to begin with. They tried to warn him that she would make his life a misery, but he didn’t listen. By the time he figured it out for himself he had children with her and didn’t want to leave because of them. I can identify with Cody’s sisters. My brother Rick married poorly too and many tried to tell him she would be his undoing. Actor Peter Sherayko, who played Texas Jack Vermillion in the movie Tombstone, wrote the foreword for The Many Loves of Buffalo Bill and I’m grateful he agreed to do so. I’m excited about this title and anxious to get it out to the press contacts and make arrangements for signings and such. It’s not been a great decade. I’m hoping Cody will help make the beginning of the next one a little better. Look for excerpts from the book on the website beginning January 1st and look for The Many Loves of Buffalo Bill in bookstores everywhere. You can also order copies through this website. Happy reading.

It’s difficult to write about a subject that has so much information to pour over. George and Elizabeth Custer’s lives have been well covered in many publications, but in the book I’m working on I’m focusing on Elizabeth’s devotion to her husband. Today I’ve been reviewing George’s journal and all he had to share with his wife about the Plains Indians. Prior to working on this book I assumed he was completely unsympathetic towards Native Americans. I was surprised to learn how he felt about the Indians being forced onto reservations. “In making this change,” he wrote in 1869, “the Indian has to sacrifice all that is dear to his heart; he abandons the only mode of life in which he can be a warrior and win triumphs and honors worthy to be sought after; and in taking up the pursuits of the white man he does that which he has always been taught from his earliest infancy as degrading to his manhood – to labor, to work for his daily bread, an avocation suitable only for squaws.” History is fascinating! I received some good news from my editor today. Good news has been in short supply the last six years. Outlaw Tales of California and The Many Loves of Buffalo Bill were the #1 and #4 on Globe’s bestseller’s list last week. Seems like a good way to kick off the Christmas break. I’ll be back again soon with more news. Merry Christmas!