The 43-star American flag of 1890, as shown on Wikipedia. Five stars were added at this time for Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington states. America went through a major transformation during the thirty year period between the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the 20th century. The Industrial Revolution… Continue reading American Westward Expansion
Category: Ralls’ posts
Books in hand!
After years of research, writing, editing and preparation MY BOOKS HAVE ARRIVED! Early release paperback and hardcover copies (printed prior to receiving the professional reviews) of my historical fiction novel Cat’s Café are available now; hardcover copies, paperbacks and digital copies should be available at bookstores and Amazon after Christmas. I am so happy! So,… Continue reading Books in hand!
Volcanos and rapids, the origins of Eagle Rock
Courtesy Library of Congress. Title: Great Falls of Snake River, Idaho territory / TM ; Prang's American Chromo. Contributor Names: L. Prang & Co., Moran, Thomas, 1837-1926, artist. Created / Published c1876. Subject Headings: Waterfalls--Idaho--1870-1880, Cliffs--Idaho--1870-1880, Snake River (Wyo.-Wash.)--1870-1880 The location of Idaho Falls, Idaho, (initially Eagle Rock), along the Snake River in Eastern Idaho… Continue reading Volcanos and rapids, the origins of Eagle Rock
Cat’s Cafe Who’s Who ~ Richard “Beaver Dick” Leigh
Grand Teton National Park’s Leigh Lake is named for Beaver Dick. Jenny Lake is named for his wife. Beaver Dick's actual diary transcription available from the University of Wyoming. Fascinating. WYOhistory photo link here. WYOhistory photo link here. Mountain man, Richard “Beaver Dick” Leigh, was born in Manchester, England, but immigrated to America with his… Continue reading Cat’s Cafe Who’s Who ~ Richard “Beaver Dick” Leigh
Cat’s Cafe Who’s Who ~ Robert Anderson and James “Matt” Taylor
Taylor's Crossing, from Bridgehunter.com James Madison “Matt” Taylor is credited to be the founding father of Eagle Rock, which was first called Taylor’s Crossing in 1865. Matt and several partners built the first bridge across the Snake River with the intention of charging a toll to travelers using the California Trail and its northern leg,… Continue reading Cat’s Cafe Who’s Who ~ Robert Anderson and James “Matt” Taylor
Cat’s Cafe Who’s Who ~ Fred Thomas Dubois
Another historical figure I have included in the first book of the Eagle Rock Trilogy is Fred Dubois. He became a U.S. Marshal and two-term senator in Idaho and is described in The Statesman (August 23, 2015) by Arthur Hart as “a controversial U.S. senator from Idaho, remembered today for his anti-Mormonism and relentless pursuit… Continue reading Cat’s Cafe Who’s Who ~ Fred Thomas Dubois
And now this …
My first full week of marketing ~ discoveries and successes I just spent most of a week in central Illinois meeting, greeting, and marketing. It was great! Exhausting, but great. It started with My Dear Editor and Agent's usual arm-length to-do list. I used to think she was going to be a helpful, easygoing hire.… Continue reading And now this …
Cat’s Cafe Who’s Who ~ Rebecca Mitchell
Rebecca Mitchell, from BYU Archives Rebecca Mitchell is one of the real people featured in my historical fiction novel Cat’s Café who did live and work in Eagle Rock and influence the warp and weft of life not only in Idaho but throughout the West and, ultimately, the entire United States. Born in 1832 in… Continue reading Cat’s Cafe Who’s Who ~ Rebecca Mitchell
1870s Law and Order, local lockups
This photo, found at Old Prisons, is credited as follows: A strap-iron cage jail at Martinsdale, Montana. Photo montanapictures.net In the Eagle Rock of my new historical fiction novel Cat’s Cafe, the Clancy Clan plagues the town with unrestrained theft and intimidation, Sheriff Zane Gunther is the ineffectual face of the law, and the real… Continue reading 1870s Law and Order, local lockups
Law and order, sheriffs and marshals
We found this great Ken Petts watercolor for sale at https://bookpalace.com/acatalog/info_PettsHoldUpLL.html, with the title Henry Plummer Sheriff and Outlaw. Local lawmen and the U.S. Marshals Service Is Zane Gunther crazy? Possibly. At the very best, he lacks all sense of social propriety and personal responsibility ~ and could use a good speech teacher. With that,… Continue reading Law and order, sheriffs and marshals