March 31st, 2010

At the beginning of this year I received numerous death threats via my website. Many of the emails were initiated by students at faith-based universities. I received an update on the matter from the authorities yesterday. Regardless of what is done to or said about me I know my brother isn’t guilty. It’s not blind faith either. I know what I know and I won’t change my mind. I’ve spent a great deal of time since my return from Montana reviewing what I’ve written about Elizabeth Custer. I’m checking and rechecking my facts and adding endnotes. She was a fascinating, daring woman and the more I write about her the more I admire her. I find it ironic that I would spend my days writing about women of the Old West. I’ve never been a fan of women as a whole. I don’t have many women friends. With few exceptions I find most women to be manipulative and untrustworthy. Sadly, I believe the examples set by some of the women in my own family have contributed to my thinking. Sadder still are the times I act out the very behaviors I detest in females. I’ve never known any woman personally with the grit and loyalty Elizabeth Custer possessed. I like Libbie because she meant what she said and stood by her convictions. I hope some of those qualities influence my life. Maybe by the end of writing the book I’ll be a better woman.