Category Archives: Indians
On the Railroad 150 Years Ago
One hundred fifty years ago, one of the most significant events in the construction of the first transcontinental railroad took place. The incident did not involve the physical laying of any track, but it influenced the final work on the … Continue reading
MG Books About Native Americans
On Sunday, May 20, 2018, I posted a new article on the website Mad About MG History, entitled “MG Books About Native Americans.” Since the one hundred forty-ninth anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike occurred a few days … Continue reading
History of the Horse in Western America
Readers of this blog know I periodically contribute to the blog, Mad About MG History. MG stands for Middle Grade, and the purpose of the blog is to provide information for teachers and librarians engaged in encouraging middle grade students … Continue reading
Indian Travois
The Indian travois consisted of two poles lashed together at one end, which was then draped over the back of an animal and attached to the animal’s neck enabling the device to be pulled. The opposite ends of the poles spread out in a triangular shape behind … Continue reading
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
On my return trip to Nevada after attending the Wyoming State Historical Society annual meeting, I passed through Cody, Wyoming, in order to visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. The center consists of five different museums. As you can … Continue reading
Fort Phil Kearny, Wyoming
On September 11, 2016, I spent the day at Fort Phil Kearny, Wyoming, touring the interpretive center, walking the remains of the old fort, and tromping the nearby battlefields. I had this opportunity because I was attending the annual meeting … Continue reading
Wyoming State Historical Society Meeting in Buffalo, Wyoming
On Saturday, September 10, 2016, I participated in the 63rd annual meeting of the Wyoming State Historical Society in Buffalo, Wyoming. This friendly city of about 5,000 people, provided a grand welcome to the attendees at the meeting. As this Wyoming state … Continue reading
Fort Sanders, Wyoming
Fort Sanders, Wyoming, near where the present city of Laramie arose, is the location for significant incidents in the first two books of The Iron Horse Chronicles. Unfortunately, not much remains of this installation. U.S. Highway 287 runs through the old … Continue reading
The First Wild West Show
The first wild west show was a complete surprise to its audience. The incentive for staging that performance was not to sell theatrical tickets. The show was gratuitous. It was a celebration for having won a race—the first race in … Continue reading
Fetterman Massacre
The Fetterman Massacre figures only peripherally in The Iron Horse Chronicles. In Eagle Talons, Jenny McNabb and her family are forced to follow the Overland Trail on their journey westward in 1867 rather than use the Oregon Trail. Because of the Fetterman … Continue reading