A Den for Thieves
by E.E. Burke
Robber’s Cave State Park near Wilburton Oklahoma has the dubious honor of being a favorite hideout for outlaws like Jesse James. This remote place and its rich history made it the perfect setting for my last Steam! Series novel, which features an outlaw, a Pinkerton agent, a deadly mystery, and some fascinating history.
After the Civil War, the U.S. entered a period of severe economic downturn. The sparsely populated, mountainous terrain along the border between Arkansas and Indian Territory became a sanctuary for criminals fleeing justice, who took advantage of confusing legal systems and lax federal oversight. Add to that, a corrupt judicial system operating out of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and you have a recipe for trouble…and an exciting historical romance.
As legend has it, some of the more famous bad guys who hid out in this remote area included Jesse and Frank James, the Youngers, and the Daltons.
Today, the area is a lovely state park with great views, beautiful waterfalls, streams and lakes, and lots of caves to explore. These aren’t your typical underground caves. Many of them are inside of massive stone structures that look as if Nature created shelters for the purpose they ultimately served—to shield fugitives and thwart those who might come to search for them.
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A short drive west will take you across what used to be the old Katy Railroad line. Go south and you’ll soon be in Texas. The town of Denison became a cattle hub in the mid-1870s and the railroad was transporting beef in newly invented refrigerated railcars.
What do cold rail cars have to do with outlaws hiding in caves and a missing Pinkerton agent? You’ll have to read my book to find out.
The deal she offers him could be a path to freedom or a detour straight to hell.
Jasper Byrne, an accused train robber, is about to face frontier justice when he is stolen away from a lynch mob. His female savior, who claims to be a reporter, offers him a chance at redemption if he will help her solve a mystery.
He will do one better. Make certain she returns from her quest alive.
Undercover detective Brigit Stevens isn’t certain she can trust Jasper to keep his word, but she needs an outlaw to guide her through a wilderness known only to thieves and murderers. She doesn’t expect the rogue to become her protector. No more than she anticipates losing her heart to him.
Can an outlaw and a Pinkerton agent form more than a temporary partnership? Does love have the power to rewrite the future and create second chances?
Purchase Lawless Hearts today.
Giveaway!
What are some of the places you’ve been that have outlaw legends attached to them?
Do you have a favorite? Where and why?
Leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of Lawless Hearts.
E.E. Burke is a bestselling author of historical fiction and romances that combine her unique blend of wit and warmth. Her books have been finalists for numerous national and regional awards, including the Chanticleer International Book Awards, Readers’ Choice and Kindle Best Book. She was also a finalist in the RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart® contest. Over the years, she’s been a disc jockey, a journalist and an advertising executive, before finally getting around to living the dream–writing stories readers can get lost in.
Find out more about her books at her website: http://www.eeburke.com.
I haven’t been any place that has a outlaw attached to it.
You should visit Robbers Cave State Park! Thanks for stopping by the blog and good luck!
When I was a child, I explored an old abandoned house along with my siblings and cousins. We were warned repeatedly not to go in that old house but there was just something about it that drew us in. It was only years later, long after it had burned down that we found out that my uncle had a moonshine still in that old house. I guess my uncle was an outlaw!
Rhonda, I wrote a book about moonshiners! We had them in our family too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Good luck!
We went to some west towns with lots oflegends. I really love visiting those.
Debra, I love Old West towns. Deadwood is probably my favorite. Thanks for stopping by. Good luck with the drawing!
I don’t know of any, but I believe probably most areas have outlaws history and we are not aware of it. I went to a local festival about 8 years ago and they told a story about some outlaw who hid out in a local cave. Unfortunately I don’t remember any of the details.
Every graveyard in Kansas has an outlaw, every family in Missouri is related to Jesse James! Or so I’m told, haha. And old caves are especially mysterious and interesting. Thanks for stopping by and good luck with the drawing.
can’t think of any
If you get a chance to visit Robbers Cave State Park you should go! It’s pretty amazing. Thanks for stopping by and good luck with the drawing.
I’ve visited the area where Tom Dooley was caught, but wasn’t intentionally. We have family in the area.
Any relation? LOL Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Good luck!
not to Tom Dooley
I cant think of any off hand. We have visited the Bad Lands and some of their gold places and tunnels. Im sure those housed some criminals of some sort. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
The Badlands is a very interesting area to visit. Couldn’t find gold. Maybe they buried it too deep! Thanks for stopping by and good luck!
Oh my gosh, it’s so good to see you, Elisabeth! This new book has hooked me. You introduced me to Jasper Byrne in Fugitive Hearts and you said then you wanted to give him his own book. He’s a very interesting man and I love seeing how he turned out. Honor just oozes from him. I love the pictures of Robber’s Cave. They set my imagination whirling. I wish I could see them for myself. Maybe one day. Congratulations on the new book! I wish you tons of success. And huge congrats also on winning the Laramie – Chanticleer Award!!!! 🙂
Thank you Linda! And thank you for inviting me back to P&P to share about my new book, Lawless Hearts. We definitely need to set off on another adventure some day soon!
I love reading about outlaw hideouts and stories. Thanks for sharing! I don’t recall ever seeing or visiting a place like that here in the US, but I have read plenty. I saw caves and such in Israel when we visited and that alone made me realize how easily someone could hide out and never be found!
Susan, I’ve always wanted to visit Israel. How cool that you were able to go there. As for caves, there are literally thousands of them in that part of the country (Arkansas/Missouri/Eastern Oklahoma). During the war, men hid out in them. Moonshiners used them. Robbers used them. It’s fascinating when you start “digging around” in the history of the region. Thanks for stopping by and good luck!
I can’t think of any, but I have been to amusement places that have the old west themes with gun fights in the street of the old west towns like Ghost Town and Tweetsie Railroad in western North Carolina. They were fun to visit when I was growing up.
Connie Lee, I visited the Tweetsie RR when I was a kid! I remember it and how impressed I was, and how much I loved the amusement park. Great memories! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Good luck!
Never been anywhere like that. But I’m obsessed with out low hideouts like Bells half acre. Wish I could explore the places.. But can’t wait for the book.
Tonya, Lawless Hearts is out and ready for you to start reading it! One day, you’ll have to come over this way and go to the Jesse James house and museum. It’s fascinating. Thanks for commenting! Hugs, lady!
Thanks for stopping by! Good luck with the drawing!
Your post is fascinating. When we went on a road trip we visited old historic Western towns. What character and stories which I enjoyed greatly. My favorite place was Leadville. So much history which was meaningful and memorable.
Anne, thanks for stopping by and commenting. Leadville is a fascinating place. We created the fictional town of Noelke based on Leadville for our Twelve Days of Christmas Mail Order Brides series (My book is The Drum).
I haven’t been anywhere where an outlaw with a legend has been. Pretty tame around here
Come on over to Kansas City! We aren’t very tame over here. 😉 Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
The closest thing to an outlaw tie that I have been to are spots along the Matches Trace where highways men waylaid travelers.
The old Natchez Trace? I’ve always wanted to hike that trail. It looks so scenic and peaceful! I’d love to know more about those stories regarding highwaymen. Sounds like a book idea! Thanks, BeeMama!
My husband and I have been to Deadwood, Lead and into Montana where we saw much to delight a history buff. Walking the streets where such as Buffalo Bill, Calamity Jane and others too numerous to mention walked and were laid to rest. Such history is very exciting and lets you slip back into time for a little reminiscing. Truly a delightful visit.
I love Deadwood! It really does have some great places to visit, and some awesome ghost tours! And I’d love to visit Montana. It’s gorgeous up there. Thanks for stopping by, Judy. Good luck!
Many small Western towns near us have legends about them. Cimarron, Shakespeare and others. Exploring these locales is extremely worthwhile and interesting.
I’ve been to Cimarron and the famous hotel there. But Shakespeare? Now, that sounds like a cool place. I need to look that up. Thanks for stopping by, Laini. Good luck in the drawing.
I’ve been to Tombstone AZ! It was so fun. Saw where the famous gunfight happened between the lawmen and the Cowboys outlaw group.
Tombstone! I’d love to go there. The legends around that place are fascinating. Thanks for stopping by, Abby, and good luck with the drawing!
For me it’s
Kearney Missouri and the Kansas City area.
very rich in Jesse James history.
Yes, indeed, Tia! Do you live in this area? That’s where I roost, and I love all the history surrounding this area. That’s why I started writing stories set in Kansas like the first book in this series. Speaking of Jesse James, he makes a brief appearance in Lawless Hearts. 😉 Thank you for coming by and good luck with the drawing.
KC area Girl Born and Raised!
Fascinating post! I’ve not been anywhere associated with an outlaw.
Thank you, Caryl, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I had a blast doing research for this story and going to this place. It really fueled my imagination. Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing.
I have been to several intriguing and charming western towns. My favorite is Deadwood. Such stories, characters and intriguing background.
Ellie, I agree. Deadwood ranks among my favorite outlaw/Western towns. We have Dodge City here in Kansas, another good place with lots of legends who passed through. Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing!
I haven’t that I know of, sounds like a good read!
Teresa, I hope you’ll check out Lawless Hearts. If you ever get to eastern Oklahoma, be sure to go by Robbers Cave State Park! Thanks for coming by! Good luck in the drawing.
I haven’t been anywhere! But Your Books sounds like such a great Book Have a nice day!
Sarah, thank you! If you read it, you can travel in your imagination to all those places I mentioned! 🙂 Good luck in the drawing.
We lived in Pineville, Missouri, for almost 13 years. That is where they filmed the Jesse James movie back in 1938. The streets on the square had just been paved, so they hauled in loads of dirt for the movie to make the streets authentic-looking. Every year, Pineville had a Jesse James Day celebration in August with chicken dinners, carnival rides, games, & concessions. It was a fun little family celebration we took our children to most years while we lived there. 🙂
Wow! That sounds like fun! Pineville is very close to where my husband’s family is from. I’m very familiar with the area, but hadn’t heard about the celebration. I’ll have to check it out! Thank you for the tip. Good luck in the drawing.
I don’t believe that I have been to any legitimate places. Growing up, I have fond memories of visiting Carson City in Catskill, NY. It is/was a road-side Wild West-themed amusement park. They would stage different reenactments there. The highlight was a real train ride with an outlaw robbery. I even took my own kids when they were young.
Karen, I loved the old theme parks with Wild West rides and staged reenactments. They were fun! Thank you for commenting and good luck in the drawing.
Drove from central Texas to Arizona, stopped a little place setup as a western town. My daughter panned for gold. I ended up with altitude sickness and waited in the car. So sick, don’t even remember the name of the place. When I retire I plan on going back, I will make sure I drink plenty of water and take my Dramamine.
Altitude sickness is worse than encountering outlaws! I hope your next trip goes better. Thank you for commenting, Carolyn. Good luck in the drawing!
Waco Texas, The Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum.
My old stomping grounds! I’m a Baylor Bear. “sic ’em!” I know that museum. It’s a good one. Thanks for stopping by! Good luck with the drawing.
We have been to Deadwood. Interesting town.. Would like to go back and explore a bit more. We live in Northeast Tennessee known the BlueRidge Mountains. The area is well known for the moonshine trade, with stills hidden in the mountains and runners who transported it. It may be legal now, but there is still an active illegal trade. The hills are the perfect place to hide out. It was also an area where many hid out during the Civil War. There were those avoiding conscription into the army and deserters from both the Union and the Confederate armies.
I love that part of the country and spend many summers up there near Black Mountain N.C. Speaking of moonshine, I wrote a book about a bootlegger called Tempting Prudence. If you like odd ball heroes and heroines, it has both! In terms of how the war affected areas, the place where Lawless Hearts is set in the former Indian Territory was one of the most violent areas outside a battlefield. Truly lawless. Thank you for stopping by Patricia! Good luck with the drawing.
Thank you to all the P&P fillies for hosting me! This has been great fun sharing my trip and also my new book. I hope you all will check it out. Good luck to everyone! Steam on!
I can’t remember the specific town names, but I believe I visited a few places in Missouri that were known hideouts for Jesse James and other outlaws.