I have a cover reveal for my next release in June, and I wanted to share some fun research I found while writing it. So far, this has been a fun and interesting series!
When I think of the west, especially when I think of cowboys, I don’t think of automobiles. In fact…I had to check to see if there were even gas stations or places to buy fuel in the Black hills in 1906. Luckily, there were. But in rural South Dakota, especially in the Black Hill where it feels (because it is) remote, automobiles weren’t as popular as they were in other parts of the country.
In To a Brighter Tomorrow, I introduce the Johlman and Douglas families. Two groups fighting for one verdant valley. Both thinking the other will waste or ruin the resource. We also have some bad guys, because what’s a western without a few vagabonds?
A judge, his hired Pinkerton, and the judge’s daughter are headed to Belle Fourche in the early part of winter, so they will arrive by car, rented of course. I hunted for a car that would give them privacy to speak and I found this.
It was call the landaulette which was a style of vehicle with the driver separate from the passengers, allowing for private conversation. I’m sure the driver was quite cold though, and doubt the passengers were much warmer, since there was no heat in these early cars other than that which naturally came off the engine.
This is an image of the steering, which was quite basic, but kind of elegant in it’s own way. I like the fact that it looks a little like a stage coach. Many taxis of that time (in larger cities) were Rolls Royce landaulettes. How else would a wealthy judge and his only daughter arrive in town?
If you lived in the west in the early 1900s, would you trust a car or stick with horse and wagon?
Without further ado, here is book 2 in the Belle Fourche Chronicles! Valley of Promise
Armstrong has never had a choice in his life.
Pa has made every decision, from who his friends are to when he will take over their huge cattle spread. He’s made plenty of enemies in Belle Fourche, SD along the way. Especially their neighbors, the sheep ranching Johlmans.
When a judge arrives in town to look into all the misdeeds of both families, Armstrong’s carefully planned world begins to crumble, particularly when he meets the judge’s daughter. A woman who could have his heart, unless her father finds out what his family has been doing.
Dosha Cattrel’s father has threatened every man who’s shown interest. She’s given up hope of ever finding someone perfect enough to suit him, much less love her.
Her father brings her and a secretive Pinkerton agent to investigate a land war. She fully expects to be bored silly until she meets Armstrong, one of the very men under her father’s spyglass. What Armstrong doesn’t know is that she is related to the Johlmans, his fiercest enemy.
Can a forbidden love survive the light of day, or will secrets kill the growing love between them?
Preorder this sweet, forbidden romance now!
Good morning- A very insightful blog about vehicles in that time. I bet there were very few in S. D.
You new book sound amazing.
There were definitely more near Sioux Falls than Belle Fourche. Thank you!
I loved your the Belle Fourche series and look forward to this new spinoff.
Thank you, Janice! I hope you enjoy them.
It may offer privacy, but they may have to carry extra fuel. Hmm… I guess they’d take the chance.
I would think it would be like driving through more remote areas of the US today, where you’d better buy gasoline at every stop whether you think you need it or not.
It would be intriguing to drive one of those old autos but I would have to worry about gas.
It would. I would probably want to keep it close to town.
Very interesting. I wondered about what the roads would look like, I don’t think the vehicle could handle either snowy or muddy roads, but with it’s tires it might handle the ruts better than a wagon. You’re right, gasoline would definitely be a problem. Much to think about. The new book sounds interesting, my question is how the ranching father thinks his son is going to oversee his ranching domain if he has made every decision for him?
That’s a good question. Sometimes, when people strive for control, they don’t see all future outcomes, because they are too busy in the present, worrying about the next hour or even the next day.
It would have been interesting to drive one of these vehicles. Thanks for sharing.
My cousin’s husband (and her brother) restore old cars. I don’t know if either of them have driven anything that old, but now I want to ask.
Oh, Kari. Cattle ranchers and sheep ranchers! Instant conflict. LOL. Sparks are sure to fly in your story.
Loved the interesting info on the early cars and congrats on another new release!!
Thank you Pam. This series has been fun to write so far!
Hi Kari … interesting blog. I would probably chose a horse to get around. Ha! Interesting story line to your new book. It’s already captured my full attention and wonderment. Looking forward to reading this book. Have a super day.
Kathy, I’m one of those people who has to keep my gas gauge above a quarter tank, so I think I’d be with you. Thank you!
Congratulations and good morning. This is a very cool looking car. I agree the driver probably got cold in the winter. I personally would have stuck with horse and buggy back then. Or just horse. Like you I also keep my gas tank filled above a quarter tank. My husband will run it to almost empty. “there is a reserve”. Yaaahhhh I dont like to chance it. One time when the kiddos were little we went to TN and because of his not filling the tank, we ran out of gas on the highway. That was an experience. Thankfully my parents were following us and saw us on the side of the road. Have a wonderful day
Oh goodness! That would be quite the experience. I try to never test the reserve, lol. Have a wonderful day.
Interesting about the cars! It does look like a glamorous coach!! I think I’d rather ride a horse, though! Great cover!
Thank you. I agree with you, it’s pretty but I think I’d rather trust a horse.
Thanks for the interesting article about the cars. The book sounds like a good read, love to read it.
Thank you! I hope you do!
What a beautiful cover, Kari, and a fun blog post! Congrats on the upcoming release!
Thank you!
Fascinating post, Kari! Congrats on your upcoming release!
Thank you!
Beautiful cover. I love the old cars but I think during that time I would have stuck with horse and buggy. Gas stations were probably few and far between. They would have been ok if you lived close to town but for long distance a big no-no. Congratulations on your upcoming release.
Thank you, I agree with you. And with towns fairly few and far between in South Dakota, i don’t think I’d take the chance, but they were hardier than me.
I really appreciate the illustration, Kari. I do feel sympathy for the driver. At least he has a cover overhead in case of snow or rain. Best wishes for your upcoming release!
Thank you. Yes, he was left a bit out in the elements, but probably used to it, I suppose. I doubt that car could go much faster on those old roads any more than horses, though I’m only speculating. I would probably be iced over either way!
I think there would always be problems with sheep herders next door to cattlemen particularly with open range. The info about the car is very interesting, however I have trouble picturing a car along with cowboys on horseback.
It is hard to picture, but the first cars came in the very early 1900s. While the sight of both probably wasn’t common, they did overlap.
Kari, Thank you so much for such an interesting post. By the looks of things, they took the landau carriage and set it on a motor chassis. Effective and eliminated having to design a new passenger/driver compartment.
We have driven through the Black Hills and much of the West. Even new vehicles have issues at times. Back in the early 1900’s, I would have stuck with a horse and wagon or buggy. At times it is hard enough to find gas, even today. I can’t imagine how they would have managed back then.
This Series sounds good. I like the new cover. Have a good week.
Thank you! I agree, I’m sure those vehicles did struggle with the hills and finding gasoline. It was probably years before vehicles became a convenience for South Dakota.
Congratulations on your upcoming release, it sounds like a great read! Thank you so much for sharing this post about the car, I think I would just stick to the horse or a wagon.. Have a great week and stay safe.
Thank you! I agree. I think it would be hard to give up what was customary in this case.
I love the new cover. Thank you so much for sharing. I remember some of the steering wheels still looking similar to the one you shown in cars in the 50-70’s. God bless you.
Yes, and it kind of reminds me of some of the early “speed” boats as well. Thank you.