occupations

Where the Horses Slept: Life Inside an 1890s Livery Stable

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Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. The heroine of my upcoming release, Ryland’s Promise, has an unusual occupation, at least for a female – she owns and operates a livery stable. So I thought I’d chat a little bit about that today.

When most folks picture the Old West, they think of cattle drives, dusty trails, and cowboys tipping their hats. But tucked into nearly every town—big or small—was a place just as essential to daily life: the livery stable.

These often-overlooked businesses were the heartbeat of a community’s transportation – for both people and cargo. Whether you were arriving in town, heading to church, or needing a rig for a supply run, the livery stable was where your journey started (and your horse got a break). They housed not just animals, but wagons, buggies, and the occasional bit of gossip, too.

And for the most part, they were run by men.

But not always.

Women Behind the Stalls?

Livery work was hard, dirty, and demanding—dawn to dark and then some. So when a woman stepped into that world, she had to be hardy, able, and commanding.

Occasionally, women inherited stables after the death of a father or husband. Others simply stepped into the role out of necessity. Either way, they had to earn respect in a world that didn’t expect—or always accept—a female behind the reins.

She’d need to:

  • Know horses better than most men
  • Manage equine boarders, livery staff, and finances
  • Maintain equipment and keep the books
  • And hold her chin up when folks questioned her place in the trade

It wasn’t for the faint of heart—but the right woman could not only survive, she could thrive.

Meet Josie Wylie

In my upcoming release, Ryland’s Promise, Josephine Wylie is one such woman. Practical, sharp, and steady as a trusted trail horse, she runs her family’s livery stable with grit and quiet pride. She’s spent years putting her family’s needs ahead of her own—until Ryland Everhart comes to town, passing through, determined to reach a friend in need, and with a way of unsettling her careful world.

Josie doesn’t go looking for romance—but sometimes, love comes calling, ready or not.

Livery Life by the Numbers

Want a peek into what life was really like behind those big barn doors? Here’s what you might find at a typical small-town Texas livery around 1892:

The Going Rate

  • Boarding a horse overnight: 25¢ to 50¢
  • Weekly boarding: $2–$3
  • Renting a saddle horse: 75¢ to $1.50/day
  • Buggy & horse combo: $1–$2/day
  • Buckboard or surrey rental: $2–$3/day
  • Extra feed or grooming care: 10¢–15¢

Rates could jump during holidays, fairs, or political rallies—when horses (and tempers) were in short supply.

Around the Clock
Most liveries were staffed 24/7. The owner or a hired stable hand usually slept in a tack room or up in the hayloft, ready to tend horses or meet late-night travelers arriving by stage or rail.

Where Did They Keep It All?

  • Horses were stalled inside the main barn, but overflow or short-term boarders were often kept in outdoor pens or corrals nearby.
  • Mules and draft teams might be housed separately or tied off outside under a lean-to.
  • Wagons, buggies, and buckboards were stored in sheds or under awnings, protected from the elements but easy to access.
  • Most stables had lofts for hay storage—and a place to sleep if you were the unlucky one on night duty.

Horse Sales, Too
Yes—many liveries bought and sold horses, either from their own stock or on consignment for locals. A trusted livery owner was often the town’s go-to for finding a sound riding horse or trading in a tired one.

And Let’s Be Honest…
Livery stables weren’t exactly fragrant. The scent of hay mixed with manure, horse sweat, and oil from the buggy wheels. But they were also places of quiet routine, skillful care, and—if you knew where to look—unexpected stories waiting to unfold.

What do you think? Did any of the above information surprise you? If so, what and why?

Or have you ever had a job—or read about one—that felt unusual for the time period or for the person doing it? Whether it’s a female blacksmith in a novel or your own unexpected career path, I’d love to hear about it!

Drop your thoughts in the comments and you’ll be automatically entered in a drawing for your choice of any of my backlist books.

RYLAND’S  PROMISE

A promise fulfilled. A heart awakened. A Christmas he’ll never forget.

When Texas rancher turned Philadelphia lawyer Ryland Everhart returns to Texas, he’s too late. Belle, the childhood friend he’d come to see, has passed away—leaving behind a young daughter and one final request. Though Ry was delayed by unexpected violence and never heard her ask it aloud, she named him guardian… and he’s determined to honor that trust.

Josephine Wylie has always put her family first, even if it means shelving her own hopes. She’s sure Ry is the perfect match—for her sister. Putting him in the role of head of the family, she believes, will finally free her to live out her dreams. But as Christmas draws near and Ry settles into their lives, Josie begins to see something more than obligation in his eyes—and something far more dangerous in her own heart.

Guided by the weight of a promise and the quiet pull of unexpected affection, Ry must decide whether doing right by Belle’s daughter means walking away—or daring to stay and claim a future he never imagined.

(NOTE: This book was previously published under the title The Christmas Journey)

Preorder Link

NEWSPAPERS IN THE OLD WEST–AND A GIVEAWAY! by Robin Lee Hatcher

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Headlines on the Frontier

When we imagine the Old West, we often think of wide-open plains, dusty boots, and rugged towns born almost overnight. But tucked into nearly every small frontier settlement was a heartbeat of civilization—the local newspaper. These humble print shops played a vital role in the daily life of townspeople in the late 1800s, delivering not just news, but connection, community, and a sense of order in an often chaotic and rapidly changing land.

The Press Arrives with the People

By 1879 (the time of my novella, To the Editor with Love), the American West was booming with railroads, homesteaders, gold rushes, and cattle trails. As new towns sprang up, one of the earliest establishments, after a general store and a saloon, was often a newspaper. Many frontier editors lugged hand presses, type cases, and lead type across rough terrain, determined to bring newsprint to the wilderness.

The press wasn’t just a luxury. It was a necessity. People longed for news of the outside world, for updates from Washington, the East Coast, or even Europe. But just as importantly, they wanted to see their own lives reflected on the page: births, marriages, land sales, sermons, socials, and saloon fights.

What Did They Print?

A typical small-town Western newspaper in this era was a weekly, usually four pages long. Here’s what you might find inside:

  • Local News: Council meetings, church gatherings, who was building a new barn, or who’d skipped town without paying their debts.
  • National and International Reports: Reprinted via telegraph or from larger Eastern papers.
  • Advertisements: Blacksmiths, milliners, doctors, boarding houses, or “a fine gelding for sale, sound and steady.”
  • Legal Notices: Homestead claims, land disputes, estate sales—all critical for settlers and ranchers alike.
  • Editorials and Sermons: Often fiery, sometimes humorous, and nearly always opinionated.
  • Fiction and Poetry: Short moral tales, serialized novels, or a sentimental poem about home.

The Editor: Typesetter, Journalist, and Town Agitator

The small-town editor was often a jack-of-all-trades—reporter, printer, typesetter, philosopher, and sometimes preacher. He (or occasionally she) might sleep in the back of the print shop, gather news by walking Main Street, and work by lanternlight to hand-set each line of type. The printing process was laborious and messy, involving ink, lead, and plenty of elbow grease.

Many editors weren’t afraid to stir up trouble. The paper might feud with a rival editor in the next town, support a particular sheriff or schoolteacher, or call out corruption in city hall. The editor’s pen could be as sharp as any six-shooter—and sometimes just as dangerous.

A Voice in the Wilderness

In isolated towns, the newspaper was more than a news source. It was a mirror of identity, a memory book, and a record of God’s grace and human grit. Church bulletins were shared, revival meetings announced, and sometimes a line or two of Scripture found its way into the editorial column. The tone of these papers could be bold, hopeful, humorous, or raw. But always deeply rooted in the place and people they served.

In those humble newspapers, the West told its story—one column at a time.

HAVE YOU READ ANY BOOKS ABOUT NEWSPAPER EDITORS OR WATCHED OLD TV SHOWS WHERE THE NEWSPAPER IS CENTRAL? I’M GIVING AWAY ONE PRINT COPY OF “TO THE EDITOR WITH LOVE” TODAY! BE SURE TO COMMENT TO BE ENTERED IN THE DRAWING!

Now, here’s a bit about the story!

 

TO THE EDITOR WITH LOVE
A Christian Historical Romance Novella

She’s got the words. He’s got the red pen. Things WILL get messy!

Molly Everton has ink in her veins and fire in her soul. Raised in her father’s newsroom, she’s fearless with a pen. And when her father bypasses her for the editor’s chair and hands the job to an outsider, Molly’s determined to send the new man packing—before he dares rearrange her beloved paper.

Jack Ludlow came West chasing adventure, not to fight with the boss’s headstrong daughter. Yet the more sparks Molly throws his way, the more intrigued he becomes. She’s smart, stubborn, and impossible to ignore—and Jack can’t resist the challenge of winning her over.

She’s determined to send him packing. He’s determined to stay. But in this battle of ink and wits, love might just rewrite the ending.

 

To learn more or order your copy of To The Editor with Love, visit the book’s page on my website at: https://robinleehatcher.com/books/to-the-editor-with-love/

Farriers

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Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. This year National Farriers Week runs from July 4th up through today July 10th. So in honor of that I thought I’d focus this post on farriers.

At first glance, the job of a farrier may appear as a straightforward task of trimming hooves and fitting horseshoes. However, beneath the surface lies an interesting blend of science and skill. Farriers possess a deep understanding of equine anatomy, biomechanics, as well as the importance of proper hoof care. Through their precise craftsmanship, they create custom-made horseshoes tailored to each horse’s unique needs. Their artistry not only ensures the horse’s comfort but also enhances their overall performance and soundness.

One of the most intriguing aspects of farriery is the bond farriers develop with horses. Spending countless hours working with these gentle giants, farriers establish a connection built on trust and mutual respect. By providing regular hoof care, farriers contribute to a horse’s well-being and become instrumental in maintaining their health. Through their patient and understanding approach, farriers become an integral part of a horse’s support system, forging a special human-equine connection.

While hoof care remains the core focus of the farrier, their responsibilities extend beyond shoeing. Farriers often collaborate closely with veterinarians and other equine professionals, working as a team to identify and address various equine issues. With their sharp eye for detail, farriers can spot signs of lameness or hoof-related problems, offering valuable insights and recommendations for optimal care. Their expertise and knowledge make them an invaluable resource in maintaining a horse’s overall health and soundness.

Here are a few bits of trivia relating to farriers

  1. The term “farrier” is derived from the Latin word “ferrarius,” meaning “blacksmith.”
  2. Farriery is considered one of the oldest professions, dating back thousands of years.
  3. In ancient times, farriers were often considered to possess mystical powers due to their ability to heal horses.
  4. The skill of farriery was traditionally passed down through apprenticeships, with knowledge being shared within families or between master and apprentice.
  5. Horseshoes were originally made from rawhide, leather, or plant fibers before the introduction of metal shoes.
  6. The majority of modern-day farriers use steel as the primary material for horseshoes due to its durability and strength.
  7. Horseshoes are usually changed every four to six weeks to accommodate hoof growth and wear patterns.
  8. Farriers often work in physically demanding conditions, requiring strength, agility, and the ability to handle unpredictable horses.
  9. There are various specialized shoeing techniques, including hot shoeing (heating the shoe to shape it), cold shoeing (shaping the shoe without heat), and corrective shoeing (addressing specific hoof or leg abnormalities).
  10. The International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame in Kentucky, United States, honors outstanding farriers who have made significant contributions to the field.
  11. Farriers may choose to specialize in specific disciplines, such as racehorses, show horses, or sport horses, depending on their interests and expertise.

Do you have any experience with encountering or working with a farrier? Is there anything you’d like to add to or comment on this post?

Leave a comment for a chance to win your choice of a signed copy of any of my books.

 

 

 

 

 

Train Doctors (Reprised)

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Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. I apologize for reprising a previous post but I’m knee deep in tax filing prep right now. And since I have nineteenth century railroads on the brain (I’m part of the Love Train series author group some others have mentioned here) I thought this post from back in 2009 would be fun to look at again. So here we go.

There are articles and headlines aplenty to be found around the topic of health care, but would it surprise you to learn that one of the early adopters of employer-based health care was the railroads?

While the vast majority of nineteenth century workers had to find and pay for their own medical care, the railroads were developing a unique and valuable benefit for their employees.

Because the nature of railway work and travel conditions led to a higher-than-normal likelihood of injuries not only to railway workers but also passengers and bystanders, some form of available medical services became a necessity.  The problem was only exacerbated when the transcontinental railroad opened, greatly expanding long distance overland travel opportunities.  As an ever increasing number of people traveled the rails across unsettled territory, territory that never seen trained physicians or even the most rudimentary of medical facilities, the railroad companies had no choice but to hire their own physicians and create medical facilities along their routes.

Thus was born the era of train doctors.  Most of the physicians who answered this call were actually general practitioners who could also perform surgery. And because of the unique dangers railroad workers faced, the so-called train doctors found themselves dealing with types of injuries which few had dealt with before.  They were pioneers in the development of trauma care under primitive conditions, developing techniques and treatments that eventually found their way into routine medical practice.

From the outset, most of these practitioners expressed concern over the conditions and equipment they had to work with, as well as the ability to see their patients in a timely manner when minutes could literally mean the difference between life and death.

One tool that resulted from the drive to get stop-gap care to workers who sustained injuries in remote areas, were special packs devised by railway surgeons to be carried on all trains.  These packs were stocked with basic emergency supplies such as medicines, sterile dressings and basic implements. These were, in fact, the precursors of the modern day first aid kit.  Train doctors also promoted training key railroad workers in the use of these materials so that the injured party could be given appropriate first line aide until a proper physician could be reached.

As for facilities, early on railroad doctors tried using hotel rooms, spare rooms in private homes or even back porches for emergency medical care, but such rooms not only lacked the necessary equipment, their use also resulted in a large expense for the railroads who not only paid for the use of the room but also faced cleaning and replacement costs for bloodstained linens and furniture.  As an alternative, the train doctors pushed for the development and use of hospital cars which could serve both as properly equipped surgical stations and as the actual transportation for seriously ill or injured patients.

As could be predicted, the adoption of such cars greatly improved the survival rate of the seriously injured railroad worker and eventually evolved into highly sophisticated facilities.  They had room enough to handle the care of three to four patients at one time as well as house a fully equipped operating room.  They were scrupulously maintained in order to provide a clean environment in which the surgeon could effectively perform his duties, stabilizing his patients before sending him or her on to a regular hospital.

Speaking of hospitals, the railroads were also very influential in establishing such facilities along their routes.  In mid-century it was remarked that a person traveling from St. Louis to El Paso would traverse 1300 miles without passing a single hospital.  And this was only one of numerous such stretches in the country.  The first railroad to respond to this glaring need was the Central Pacific Railroad which opened its own hospital in Sacramento in 1869.  Other railroads quickly followed suit, establishing their own hospitals along well traveled routes.

Dr. C.W.P. Brock, President of the National Association of Railway Surgeons, was quoted as saying: Mr. Greeley’s advice to the young man to “go west” may be followed with great benefit by railway surgeons from the older sections of our country; and when they have seen the superb hospitals and the practical workings of the system they will say, as the Queen of Sheba said after seeing the splendors of King Solomon, “that the half had not been told.”

On a more practical front, another surgeon was heard to estimate that “the daily cost per patient at a railway hospital runs from 40 to 60 cents, compared to $1.00 to $1.50 at a city or contract hospital.”

Train doctors for the most part were  very progressive in the medical field.  They endorsed the emphasis on sterilization and overall cleanliness in patient care well before such thinking was met with universal acceptance.  They were also progressive in their attitude toward embracing women into their profession.

In addition to surgery dealing with railroad-related injuries and general trauma care, railway surgeons also took on the role of an overall health care provider.  They treated a wide range of illnesses, performed routine checkups, delivered babies and advised on safety, health and sanitation issues.

Alas, the train doctors are no more.  There were a number of factors that contributed to the eventual demise of the once highly effective and indispensable system.  Key among them was the change in government regulations and the explosion of medical advances in the 1950s.  The last of the railroad hospitals were sold or closed in the 1970s and the remaining train doctors retired, joined other practices or set up private practices of their own.

But these dedicated men and women left an enduring legacy. Their trade journal, The Railway Surgeon, though it reinvented itself a number of times, remains in print today under the name Occupational Health and Safety

The modern day specialty of occupational medicine can trace its roots to these surgeons.  They also helped to shape modern medical practice, especially in the area of trauma study and care.  They were pioneers in front line field care, in the stabilization and transport of the seriously injured, in overall trauma care and in the development and use of the modern day first aid kit.

All but forgotten by the vagaries of our national memory, train doctors nevertheless played a major, but largely unsung, role in making the settlement of the western frontier a safer proposition for all who travelled through or eventually settled in the surrounding areas.

Thanks for your patience in allowing me to reprise an older post. As a reward I’d like to offer a chaoice of any book from my backlist to on (or more!) of the people who leave a comment here.

 

Guest Blogger Lisa Prysock – Nuns in the Wild West?

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Hello Petticoats & Pistols! Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Fillies.

It’s hard to imagine Annie Oakley, cowboys, and nuns holding down the Wild West. I’m envisioning something like The Sounds of Music starring Julie Andrews, or Whoopi Goldberg’s Sister Act, or my absolute fav, The Trouble with Angels starring Haley Mills, right?

 

Well, kinda. Bear with me.

Columbia Pictures Image It is believed that this poster art may be shared in conjunction with the Fair Use Act. Columbia Pictures owns the copyright.

In publishing my newest series, Montana Meadows, in conjunction with Magnolia Blossom Publishing, I began researching Montana Territory in the 1870s at the onset for the setting. I discovered some pretty cool stuff. Montana is known for their great big blue sky, gorgeous mountains mainly in the west, and plains throughout the middle of the state. They share a corner of Yellowstone in the southeastern part of the state, and they’re wildly famous for huckleberry pie.

I also ran into a Catholic mission operating as St. Peter’s Mission in my research. The mission had nuns, priests, and orphan students. The nuns and priests had come to Montana from a diocese in Toledo, Ohio. One of the volunteers for the mission, Mary Fields, an African American and former slave, moved to the area seeking freedom and independence. She eventually became known as “Stagecoach Mary,” a fascinating real-life heroine who ultimately became a stagecoach driver delivering mail to the mission and other establishments and residents in the area. You can learn more about Mary here–:

 

Fascinated by Mary’s story and all I’d learned about missions in the western hemisphere, for Book 1 of the series, Cherry Crossing, I invented a fictitious mission and town loosely based on my research. I named my fictional mission St. Paul’s and sketched out the lay of a fictitious version of the mission building and nave in my book and character building notes, resembling the one in my research. I didn’t have a “Stagecoach Mary,” but I did create and invent an interesting cast of nuns and priests who play a fun and significant role in the book. My nuns and priests come from a variety of dioceses in the western hemisphere.

 

I named the town in Cherry Crossing, Honey River Canyon. Imagine eight mountains trailing around the northwest corner, a river named Honey River winding through those mountains, and the town of Honey River Canyon spilling out from this backdrop.

 

The series is based on three Hayes sisters—Jocelyn, Jacqueline, and Jillian—whose parents perished in a blizzard some years before. The sisters rise to the challenge of managing the farmstead, named Cherry Crossing for the imported Canadian fruit trees on the property. Each book centers around a romance blossoming for one of the three sisters.

Of course, there are some gangstas, or bad guys, antagonists, or bad dudes, and we’ll definitely need a hero. Enter, Jake Hunter. Jake inherits the mayor’s mansion and remaining town plattes from his grandfather. He comes to Montana Territory to claim his inheritance, and Josie (Jocelyn) immediately thinks he’s swindled her out of the horse she planned to purchase. These two clash right from the start.

Jake has his work cut out for him in Book 1. He’s also framed for a murder. He has to find his faith, clear his name, capture the gangsters, and win the girl’s heart in order for us to have a happy ending. In Book 2, Sparrow’s Hope, readers will meet more of Jackie, but wear your bullet proof vest and hold onto your hat. She can load and shoot a six-shooter better than most men in the Wild West. (Coming soon!) In Book 3, Silver Mountain, readers will get to know the sweet, quiet Jillian as she finds her own true love and her dream of being a teacher.

I hope you’ll pick up a copy of this faith-filled romance. I’ll give away a signed paperback to one person who comments. Just tell me what you love about western romance or ask me a question about writing. We’d love to hear from you at Petticoats & Pistols!

Lisa M. Prysock is a USA Today Bestselling, Award-Winning Author of more than 33 Christian romance novels and a devotional. She and her husband reside in beautiful Kentucky in a rural area. Together, they have five children, grown. New empty nesters, they are slowly reclaiming their average colonial style house. Lisa loves espadrilles, long sundresses, and hats. She enjoys cross-stitching, crochet, sketching, reading, cooking, swimming, and many other things she finds hard to get to because she’s usually writing the next book. She loves sharing her faith in Jesus through her writing.

Readers can check out more about this author and view her books on the carousel at her author website. Sign up for her free newsletter here–: https://www.LisaPrysock.com

They can also connect with me at–:

https://www.facebook.com/LisaMPrysock

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https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00J6MBC64?tag=pettpist-20

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Six Things You May Not Know About 19th Century Newspapers and a Give Away!

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Hi! Amanda Cabot here. For me, one of the more enjoyable aspects of writing historical fiction is doing the research. I never fail to find at least one tidbit that intrigues me enough to include it in the book. As someone who once aspired to be a newspaper reporter, I had fun researching nineteenth century newspapers while I created a hero who owns a paper. That’s why I thought I’d share six things that might (or maybe won’t) surprise you about newspapers and printing in the mid-nineteenth century.

1. Importance – With the increase of literacy in the US, you’d think people would have had a large supply of things to read. That wasn’t always the case, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas. For them, newspapers were often the only things they had to read besides the Bible. As a result, papers included more than news. It wasn’t unusual to find poems, stories, and recipes in addition to what we would call news.

2. Prices – How much did all this cost the average subscriber? According to my research, an annual subscription to a weekly paper was $5, an amount that was often paid in goods rather than cash. I hope the editor enjoyed hams and jams as well as turnips and apples.

Advertisements frequently had a tiered cost, being priced at $1 for the first time they were run with subsequent weeks at $.50. To put this in perspective, a doctor’s office visit was also $1. Suppose you were running for office and wanted the paper to announce your candidacy. You might think that would be a simple ad at a cost of a dollar. Not so. Political announcements were priced at $10.

3. Revenue – In many cases, subscriptions and ads weren’t enough to support the newspaperman. That’s why he (and, yes, most of them were men) offered personal printing services, providing cards, posters, and stationery to residents.

4. Town Booming – This was a new term for me, but it underscored the power of the press. When towns were first established and sought new residents, they relied on papers to promote the town – sometimes through gross exaggeration – in an effort to attract settlers. One of the first towns to benefit from this practice was Oregon City in 1846 which relied on the Oregon Spectator to tout its attractions to potential residents.

5. Skullduggery – One of the more popular printing presses during the nineteenth century was the Washington Hand Press. Unlike previous presses, it was made of iron rather than wood, making it sturdy. Even more importantly, it could be easily assembled and disassembled – a real plus in the rapidly expanding American West.

For years, Samuel Rust held the patent on the Washington press and refused to sell it to his competitor, P. Hoe and Company. Hoe, however, was determined to obtain the patent and convinced one of his employees to pose as an inventor who wanted to expand on Rust’s design. Rust agreed to sell him the patent, not knowing that it was all a ruse and that the faux inventor would immediately turn the patent over to his boss.

6. Dangers – While the underhanded techniques that robbed Rust of his patent were unfortunate, they weren’t the only danger involved in the newspaper printing business. Sadly, not everything printed in newspapers was true. Many editors, following the practice of their Eastern colleagues, made little distinction between news and opinion. In some cases, diatribes and personal attacks made their way onto the printed page. You can imagine how those were received. Who would have thought that freedom of the press sometimes resulted in death?

Did any of these surprise you? More importantly, did any intrigue you enough to want to explore the world of nineteenth century newspapers? I’ll pick two people from the comments to receive a print copy of Dreams Rekindled (U.S. addresses only.) 

Giveaway Rules Apply: https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules/ 

If you’d like more information, my primary sources for this post were Red Blood and Black Ink by David Dary and Passionate Nation by James L. Haley.

About the book:

He’s bound and determined to find peace . . . but she’s about to stir things up

Dorothy Clark dreams of writing something that will challenge people as much as Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin seems to have. But in 1850s Mesquite Springs, there are few opportunities for writers—until newspaperman Brandon Holloway arrives, that is.

Brandon Holloway has seen firsthand the disastrous effects of challenging others. He has no intention of repeating that mistake. Instead of following his dreams, he’s committed to making a new—and completely uncontroversial—start in the Hill Country.

As Dorothy’s involvement in the fledgling newspaper grows from convenient to essential, the same change seems to be happening in Brandon’s heart. But before romance can bloom, Dorothy and Brandon must work together to discover who’s determined to divide the town and destroy Brandon’s livelihood.

Bio

Amanda Cabot’s dream of selling a book before her thirtieth birthday came true, and she’s now the author of more than thirty-five novels as well as eight novellas, four non-fiction books, and what she describes as enough technical articles to cure insomnia in a medium-sized city. Her inspirational romances have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists, have garnered a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and have been nominated for the ACFW Carol, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers Best awards. A popular workshop presenter, Amanda takes pleasure in helping other writers achieve their dreams of publication.

Buying Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Christian Book Distributors

Social Media Links

http://www.amandacabot.com

https://www.facebook.com/amanda.j.cabot

https://twitter.com/AmandaJoyCabot/

http://amandajoycabot.blogspot.com/

 

An Outlaw Land Agent, Mayor, and Romantic

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In the settling of the U.S., owning land used to be the primary dream of almost every man–rich or poor. It was something tangible that meant you had worth and the owner could use it however he saw fit. But how were the sales handled when almost every town had a land office?

The General Land Office created in 1812 was an independent agency of the United States government responsible for all the public domain lands. It took over this function from the Treasury Department that had been in effect since 1785.

The General Land Office was in charge of surveying, platting, and selling of public lands. In addition they oversaw the Homestead Act and the Preemption Act in disposal of public lands.

During the Westward Expansion period, land sold at such a frantic pace that it was difficult to keep up. As I said, everyone wanted a piece to call their own.

Every town of any size had a land office where prospective buyers could see what was available. If they bought some, a deed was recorded and registered at that county’s courthouse which then made its way to the General Land Office in Washington D.C. But given the slow speed of travel, it might be a year or more before it got registered. And unscrupulous land agents could sell the same land twice or several times over. I see how easy it would’ve been. And how killings would’ve taken place. The West had no one to oversee a lot of things.

In 1946, the General Land Office and the U.S. Grazing Service merged to become the Bureau of Land Management.

In my newest release, ONCE UPON A MAIL ORDER BRIDE, Ridge Steele served as the mayor and land agent in the outlaw town of Hope’s Crossing. Unlike others, he is honest and above board in his dealings and in the recording of deeds.

To settle this fledgling town, he and his friends send for mail order brides through Luke Legend and his private bride service. Ridge is the last of his friends to get one.

When Adeline Jancy arrives, she’s more than he ever dreamed in every respect—other than she couldn’t speak. Due to horrifying trauma, she’s lost her voice. Ridge doesn’t have to marry her, but he does. He likes what he sees and figures she’ll do just fine.

He soon discovers Addie can throw a hissy or argue as well as anyone—all without words.

Their love grows slowly and ripens into a passionate story for the ages. From the moment they strolled onto the page, I knew they were perfect for each other in every way. Each had their own strengths that complemented the other as should a real relationship.

Do you believe in love at first sight? Or do you think it takes time to develop only after the couple has come to know each other? I’m giving away a copy of this book (winner’s choice of either ebook or print.)  I’ll draw on Saturday.

 

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Poets in Cowboy Hats

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Out where the handclasp’s a little stronger,
Out where the smile dwells a little longer,
            That’s where the West begins…

                            Arthur Chapman 1912

 

Last week was National Cowboy Poetry week and I usually spend it at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival signing books.  The festival, was canceled this year, along with everything else.  But I sure did miss it.

I especially missed rubbing shoulders with people like Cheryl Rogers Barnet (daughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans), Jon Chandler (chosen Best Living Western Musician by True West Magazine) and cowboy poet, Waddie Mitchell.

This is me signing at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival.

It was at this festival that I first learned to appreciate cowboy poetry. I was never particularly fond of poetry, but this was different. This was storytelling like I’d never heard, and it really brought the west alive for me.

Cowboy poetry flourished after the Civil War. War songs were mixed with traditional ballads to create a unique style that painted vivid pictures of loneliness, loss of a horse, camaraderie and annoying coyotes.  

Cowboys recited these poems for each other around the campfire. No free form verse for these hard-driven men. Old time cowboy poetry always rhymed and was often put to song.

Much of it was done orally, which helped with memorization. Because the poetry was not written down, much was lost but not all. Fortunately, some of these gems were printed in newspapers and have since been published in books.

Legend has it that the reason poems were recited from memory was because cowboys were illiterate.

Not true, says writer David Stanley. In his book Cowboy Poetry Then and Now,” he argues that cowboys were anything but illiterate. “Many cowboys of both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have been well read, sometimes astonishingly so.”  He goes on to say that “Cowboy poetry has been primarily the province of literate people since the first publication of poems in western newspapers in the 1870s.”

To prove his point, Stanley tells us that “It wasn’t just original poetry that was enjoyed around the campfires. Cowboys also enjoyed “a mass of popular poetry from Shakespeare to Rudyard Kipling.”

There’s a famous saying that any poem a cowboy likes is a cowboy poem.  That may be true of Shakespeare, but for me, personally, nothing beats a poet in a cowboy hat.

What’s your favorite western storytelling medium: movie, TV, books, music or poetry?

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Constance Kopp – Determined Heroine Turned Law Enforcement Officer

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Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here.

Back in January I started a series of articles about several amazing women who paved the way for females in various branches of law enforcement. If you missed the prior posts you can find them here:

 

Today I want to discuss Constance Kopp, who is the very definition of a feisty woman. Even within this series of trailblazing women, Constance’s story is a remarkable one.

Constance’s father wasn’t in the picture much and was an alcoholic) Early in her life Constance was determined to have a career outside the home and attempted to study both law and medicine. Her mother, however, wouldn’t allow her to complete her studies, leaving Constance frustrated and rebellious. It is rumored that the youngest sister, Fleurette (love that name!) was actually her daughter, the result of a youthful indiscretion.

Constance, however, was no shrinking violet. Standing a good 6ft tall and weighing in at 180lbs, she was a formidable presence, one who loomed over most men of that time. That, coupled with her forceful personality and her father’s frequent absences, was likely why she became the de facto head of household, the person the rest of the family turned to for guidance when things turned bleak – which they did soon enough.

The extraordinary trouble entered the Kopp women’s lives in July of 1914, when Constance was 35, with what should have been a simply resolved traffic accident. Henry Kaufman, the wealthy owner of a silk factory, crashed his car into the Kopp family carriage that Constance and her two sisters were riding in. The accident resulted in damage to the carriage, including breaking the shaft.

Constance made several attempts to get Mr. Kaufman to pay for the damages. When he refused, Constance, not one to back down when she was in the right, decided to file a lawsuit. The courts awarded her $50. Kaufman was outraged to be held accountable and at one point accosted Constance on the streets. Undeterred, Constance promptly had him arrested.

But that was only the beginning of the man’s unreasonable reaction. Prowlers began roaming around the Kopp home, where the three sisters lived with their widowed mother. Vandals broke in and damaged furnishings. The Kopps received threatening letters. One threatened to burn down their home, another demanded $1000 with the threat of dire consequences if they refused, and still another threatened to kidnap Fleurette, still a teen, and sell her into white slavery. And while all this was happening they also had to deal with random shots being fired into their home.

Constance turned to Sheriff Robert Heath for help. Luckily Heath was a progressive minded man. He not only took the situation very seriously – the only person on the police force who did so – but he immediately armed the three sisters with revolvers.

Constance agreed to go ‘undercover’, agreeing to meet the writer of the threatening letters on not one but two separate occasions. They ultimately found enough evidence to convict Kaufman and he was forced  to pay a $1000 fine ad was warned he would serve jail time if the harassment of the Kopps didn’t cease immediately.

Sheriff Heath was very impressed with Constance’s bravery and determination, so much so  that he offered her the position of Under Sheriff, making her the first woman ever to hold that position. And this was no sham title. One of Constance’s early cases was to track down an escaped prisoner, something she handled with unexpected ease. She held the job for two years, losing it only after Sheriff Heath was replaced by someone less progressively-minded.

Her story was virtually forgotten until an author, researching some information for a book she was writing, stumbled across an article in some old newspaper archives, that led her down an unexpected trail. Amy Stewart eventually wrote several books that were fictionalized accounts of the Kopp sisters’ experiences, starting with Girl Waits With Gun.

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There you have it, another very brief sketch of the trailblazing life of a brave and ahead-of-her-times woman. What struck you most about her? If you’d already heard of her, did you learn anything new, or do you have more to add to her story?

 

 

I’m very excited to announce the upcoming release of my latest western romance, Sawyer. Sawyer is the 6th book in the Bachelors & Babies series – another Filly, Pam Crooks, had the lead off book, Trace. These books are all stand alone but have been proving to be popular with readers – fingers crossed that my book will continue that trend! Sawyer will officially release on Nov 1 and is now available for preorder.

 

Sawyer Flynn vows to see that the man who murdered his brother pays for his crimes, but becoming the sole caretaker of an orphaned infant sidetracks him from the mission. Sawyer can’t do it all—run his mercantile, care for the baby, and find justice for his brother. He needs help. But not from Emma Jean Gilley.

When her father flees town after killing a man, Emma Jean is left alone to care for her kid brother, but her father’s crime has made her a pariah and no one will give her a job. Learning of Sawyer’s need, Emma Jean makes her case to step in as nanny.

Sawyer is outraged by Emma Jean’s offer, but he’s also desperate and he reluctantly agrees to a temporary trial. Working together brings understanding, and maybe something more. But just when things heat up between Sawyer and Emma Jean, the specter of her father’s crimes threatens to drive them apart forever.

To learn more or pre-order, click HERE

I Invited a Friend to the Corral–Ann Roth!

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This month Harlequin has re-released my novel The Rancher and the Vet and Ann Roth’s Montana Vet in a two in one book entitled A Cure for the Vet available in Wal-Mart and on Amazon. In honor of that, I’m doing something special. Today, you’re getting two blogs in one because Ann Roth has joined me to chat about her book.

From Ann:

My novel, Montana Vet, is actually book 3 of my Prosperity, Montana, miniseries. Books 1 and 2 will be out in January, in another 2 in 1 release. No worries—I wrote the books as stand-alone stories featuring siblings. They don’t have to be read in order.

Here’s a thumbnail sketch of Montana Vet.

Veterinarian Seth Pettit has been AWOL from Prosperity for some time. Now he’s come home… with a fourteen-year-old girl in tow.

I have a soft spot in my heart for foster kids. I feel the same tenderness and concern for abandoned and abused dogs, which is one reason I felt compelled to create heroine Emily Miles, who shares my sentiments and has founded a shelter for these animals. The other reason, of course, is that she’s the perfect match for Seth Pettit—even though neither of them is looking for romance.

How Seth and Emily get together and fall in love is a story you don’t want to miss!

A little about me:

My genre is contemporary romance. I love happy endings, don’t you? Especially when two characters are so right for each other, but don’t know it.

To date, I have published over 35 novels, and several short stories and novellas, both through New York publishers and as an indie author.

For a list of my novels and to sign up for my newsletter, click here to visit my website. I love to hear from readers! Email me at ann@annroth.net and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

From Julie:

Like Ann’s story, The Rancher and the Vet, features a veterinarian, but mine is the heroine, Avery McAlister. The hero is her first love, Reed Montgomery who returns to Estes Park to become a surrogate parent to his teenage niece.

I love writing old flame stories because there’s instant conflict, chemistry and sexual tension when they step on the page. But that wasn’t the only reason I enjoyed this story. Another was because I could have animals cause trouble throughout the book. Thor, Reed’s niece’s pet chihuahua, does his best to give Reed a proper welcome, complete with leaving him “presents.”

Tito available for adoption with Cody’s Friends Rescue

But I had the most fun with scenes between Reed and his niece. Making a bachelor caring for a teenage girl was more fun than should be legal. Talk about torturing a hero! One of my favorite scenes is when Reed takes Jess shopping for a school dance. Now that’s a man’s worst nightmare come to life. Thankfully for Reed when he’s in over his head, Avery comes to his rescue. At one point, I couldn’t get Avery and Reed alone without them sacrificing their pride. I groused that I wished I could lock them in a closet together. Thankfully Reed’s niece was happy to comply…

Thanks again to Ann Roth for joining me in the corral today. Since Ann’s book is set in Montana and mine is in Colorado, we want to know your favorite ranch location. Two randomly chosen commentators receive a copy of A Cure for the Vet. One signed by Ann and one by me. So, let’s hear what you think. If you could have a ranch anywhere, where would it be?

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