Letters Across the Bars

Enter now to win a copy of

The Last Ride: Outlaw Laura Bullion and the Wild Bunch

Separated by iron gates and hundreds of miles, Wild Bunch outlaws Laura Bullion and Ben Kilpatrick held fast to one another through letters. From the Missouri State Penitentiary, Laura wrote Ben long accounts of prison life, encouraged him to behave, and counted down the Sundays until her release. Ben’s replies traveled from prisons in Ohio and Georgia—sometimes tender, often restless, and occasionally smuggled past guards when officials restricted his mail.

Their correspondence reveals a relationship far more complicated than outlaw legend suggests. Laura treasured the tiny pencil Ben sent her, promised to fight for his freedom, and dreamed of the day he would once again be in her arms. Even after leaving prison, she remained devoted, working to secure his pardon and staying close enough to Atlanta to wait for him. Many of their intercepted letters eventually found their way into prison files and the records of Pinkerton detectives, preserving an intimate story neither could have imagined the world would someday read.

A recent five-star verified Amazon review notes:

“Chris Enss’ books are always well researched and fun to read. I really enjoyed The Last Ride and I read it in two days. The book includes information that I had not seen before and clarified her activities in relation to the Wild Bunch.… It is so nice to see books feature interesting women who are usually overlooked by history.”

The Last Ride: Outlaw Laura Bullion and the Wild Bunch is available everywhere books are sold.

Enter for a chance to win a copy!