By Lynne Lanning
Thank you so much for stopping by for a few minutes to share my adventures on this Historical Western journey. And my, what a thrill it is! The West
was built by a conglomerate of people ranging not only in age and culture, but also the downtrodden trying to survive and live free, to the thrill-seeking entrepreneurs.
Search the history of Western expanse you’ll learn about railroads, cattle drives, new towns built, and range wars. I mention these four, as it seems most of my stories are written around them. You can’t mention one without the others being involved somehow. It’s like a chain of events.
Did you know . . . For over 300 years, the longhorn cattle roamed free across the plains of Texas? No one claimed or wanted them, they had no use for more than a few at a time, and they were considered more dangerous than a herd of buffalo, scaring everyone. The plains of Texas were full and over-running!
Before the railroads, a few rough and tough entrepreneurs decided to take on herding these dangerous beast to far reaches of the West. They could sell beef to the locals, sustaining a living…BUT the big money was in supplying beef to the East. Enter – the cattle drives, with all the hunky, handsome heroes we call cowboys! (But that’s another story…)
For decades, these entrepreneurs (Cattle Barons) became rich, increasing their herds and sending the cattle East. When the railroads came, it became an even more lucrative business. The cattle grazed on free-range land, which was unused land owned by the government. The Cattle Barons may have owned hundreds, or even thousands of acres, but they were using tens of thousands that they didn’t own. For decades, it wasn’t a problem, until…Enter – the Homesteaders.
The government wanted to occupy and settle the West, coming up with some great incentives for people through Homesteaders Acts. But guess where these homesteaders were legally moving to? Right in the midst of free-range grazing land!
Arguments and deadly fights ensued for years. The Homesteaders refused to give up their homes, and the Cattle Barons refused to give up the grazing land they had used for generations. Not only did the Cattle Barons eventually have to move their herds and reduce them drastically, but some had to reroute their trails to cattle markets and railheads by miles around mountains, or pay (by the head) to cross someone’s property. Their lives, and livelihoods changed forever.
The Cattle Barons had done the same as they had for generations; the Homesteaders were legally taking advantage making a better life for themselves; yet hundreds of men, women, and even children died because of it. Some men, (like William Bonney aka Billy the Kid), even became outlaws over it.
I put myself in the shoes of both sides and can see how there was a huge problem.
Several of my books are written about, or at least mention, Range Wars. I am excited to announce that Mail-Order Stone Mason is a Finalist in the 2025 Selah Awards Western Category! Love can blossom even in the midst of such dangerous surroundings!
Buy – Mail Order Stonemason
And…be still my heart…To Trust A Heart is a Finalist in the Historical Romance Category! What an HONOR!
Buy – To Trust a Heart
Two lucky winners will receive another great story that incorporates a small Range War, young entrepreneurs, building a railroad and a town – Mail-Order Station Master. My question for you is what information or fact caught your eye in my post about the West? I’d love to hear your opinions about the Range Wars. We have lots to talk about.
Buy – Mail Order Station Master
The Old West is so intriguing, and that’s where I park my wagon and stay for weeks at a time as I write one incredible tale after another! I can vividly see it in my mind as all those brave ancestors made their way to an adventure of a lifetime…and I’m so glad they did!
Find out more about me and my love of Western Adventures:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0B6R33BXX?tag=pettpist-20
