Women and Colorado Statehood

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Image (C) Doris McCraw

Not only is America celebrating 250 years, and Colorado is celebrating 150 years. Colorado's journey began in 1858-59. Most of what we hear about that time is the men who pushed the idea. However, there were also women involved. This post is about one of those women.

Dr. Alida Avery left her position as a physician and professor at Vassar College to move to Colorado in 1874. Once here, she was involved in the Colorado and National suffrage movement, traveling and speaking on behalf of women. She was also an early proponent of women's participation in the medical association, requesting membership within two years of her arrival.

In February of 1876, the Denver Daily Times had the following article:

February 14, 1876
Denver Daily Times

While women did not gain the right to vote in Colorado's original constitution, they succeeded in securing the right to vote in local school elections and to place the question of suffrage on the ballot in 1877.

Until next time

Stay safe - Doris

Angela Raines - Amazon

Doris A. McCraw - Amazon 

Have You Heard of the Three Guardsmen? ~ D. K. Deters

I thought you might enjoy reading about the Three Guardsmen. In all honesty, I’d never heard of them, but after diving in, I found several terrific articles.

In 1889, U.S. Marshal Evett Dumas “E.D.” Nix assembled three deputy U.S. marshals to combat the growing outlaw problem in the Oklahoma Territory. The trio, known as the Three Guardsmen, included Bill Tilghman, Henry Andrew “Heck” Thomas, and Chris Madsen.

Bill Tilghman is often regarded as one of the finest lawmen of the Old West. He had previously served as a marshal in Dodge City, Kansas. Known as an exceptional tracker, he was respected enough that many outlaws surrendered rather than fight him. In early 1896, he captured Bill Doolin alive without firing a shot.

Bill Tilghman (1854-1924)

Henry Andrew “Heck” Thomas was known for his relentless determination and marksmanship. He ultimately tracked down and killed Bill Doolin in August 1896 after Doolin escaped from jail. He also played a major role in pursuing the Dalton Gang.

Heck Thomas (1850-1912)

Chris Madsen (1851–1944), a Danish immigrant and former soldier, was known for his orderly approach to tracking outlaws and often organized posses and investigations. He participated in numerous posses and was instrumental in eliminating the remaining members of the Doolin Gang.

Chris Madsen (1851-1944)

Together, the Guardsmen earned a reputation as three of the most effective frontier lawmen in American history. They became famous for relentlessly hunting outlaw gangs, especially the Doolin Gang (sometimes called the Doolin-Dalton Gang and the Wild Bunch).

For a time, the Doolin Gang was one of the most powerful outlaw gangs in the Old West. They focused on bank, train, and stagecoach robberies in Arkansas, Kansas, and the Oklahoma Territory, but also ventured into neighboring states such as Missouri.

Some of the best-known members included:

Bill Doolin (1858 -1896)

Bill Doolin – Leader of the gang. Born in Arkansas, he worked as a cowboy before turning to outlawry. He was killed by Deputy U.S. Marshal Heck Thomas in 1896.

William M. “Bill” Dalton – Younger brother of the Dalton brothers. He survived the Coffeyville raid because he wasn’t there and later joined Doolin before being killed in a gunfight in 1894.

George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb – One of the gang’s most feared gunmen. He escaped numerous posses before being killed in 1895.

Roy Daugherty – Better known as Arkansas Tom Jones, was a skilled marksman. He survived a famous shootout at Ingalls, Oklahoma, was later captured, served prison time, and outlived most of the gang.

Dan Clifton – Participated in robberies with the gang and later disappeared from the historical record.

Richard “Little Dick” West – A trusted member who continued robberies after Doolin’s death until he was killed by lawmen in 1898.

William F. “Little Bill” Raidler – Joined the gang after the Coffeyville raid. He was eventually captured and served time in prison.

George “Red Buck” Waightman – An experienced horse thief and robber who was killed by Deputy U.S. Marshals in 1895.

Oliver Yantis – Rode with Doolin early on and was killed during an attempted train robbery in 1895.

Other men associated with the gang at various times included:

Tulsa Jack Blake

Dynamite Dick Clifton

Charley Pierce

By 1898, nearly every major member had been killed, captured, or imprisoned, bringing the gang’s era to an end.

Four major members were killed by posses led by or including the Three Guardsmen:

Bill Doolin

Bitter Creek Newcomb

Red Buck Waightman

Little Dick West

At least two other prominent members were captured alive by the Three Guardsmen:

Arkansas Tom Jones

Little Bill Raidler

By the end of the 19th century, the Guardsmen had hunted some of the most notorious outlaws in the Oklahoma Territory, paving their place in frontier history.

Although Bill Tilghman, Heck Thomas, and Chris Madsen became widely known as the “Three Guardsmen,” the exact origin of the nickname remains uncertain. The earliest known published use appeared in a 1911 St. Louis Post-Dispatch article by Grant Richardson. A long-standing tradition claims the outlaws they pursued coined the name, but historians have found no evidence to confirm that story.

 

 

Resources:

The Wild West by Bill O’Neal, James A Crutchfield, and Dale L Walker

The West by William C. Davis and Joseph G. Rosa

Wikipedia 

'Life' is my Inspiration ~ Brandi Creek

Hi everyone! Brandi Creek here.

One of the questions I get asked most often is where my story ideas come from. The answer is...life.

Most of my books have roots in experiences I've had over the years. The Majestic Run Bloodstock series grew from my love of horse racing and the time I spent as a training jockey. The Mountain Tide Ranch Retreat series was inspired by the ranch my parents managed when I was in high school. Even my reining stories come from my fascination with the incredible partnership between horse and rider.

So when it came time to create Whispering Creek Ranch, it wasn't just my imagination at work. It was another unforgettable experience from my own life that found its way onto the page.

Today, I thought I'd take you behind the scenes and share the real inspiration behind my Whispering Creek Cowboys series.

From a Trail Clinic to Whispering Creek Ranch

Years ago, I attended a horse trail clinic in the beautiful mountains of Washington. It wasn't a fancy resort or luxury getaway. I loaded up my camper, hauled my horse across the state, and spent several unforgettable days learning from some incredible trainers.

The first part of the clinic was spent in the arena, working through trail obstacles designed to build confidence and communication between horse and rider. Every obstacle taught us something new. Sometimes the lesson was for the horse, and sometimes it was for us. Watching nervous horses slowly relax and gain confidence was just as rewarding as learning new skills myself.

The last three days were something I'll never forget.

Instead of staying in the arena, we headed into the mountains, riding through towering forests and along breathtaking trails. The scenery was incredible, but what made the experience truly special wasn't just the landscape; it was the people.

By the end of the week, a group of strangers had become friends.

Evenings were spent around the fire pit, laughing, sharing stories, talking horses, and encouraging one another after long days in the saddle. The trainers never made anyone feel intimidated. They created an atmosphere where everyone wanted to learn, help each other, and celebrate every little success. It felt less like attending a clinic and more like becoming part of a family.

On the final day, we competed in a timed trail course that combined everything we'd learned. I didn't take first place, but I was thrilled to finish third. More important than the ribbon was the confidence I brought home, for both my horse and me.

Years later, those memories stayed with me.

When I started building the world of Whispering Creek Ranch, I realized I wasn't trying to recreate that clinic. I wanted to recreate the feeling it gave me.

That's why Whispering Creek became more than just another ranch. I imagined cozy cabins where guests could stay, a welcoming dining hall where everyone gathered for meals, beautiful riding trails, evening campfires, and a ranch where strangers quickly became friends. While the setting in my books is fictional, the sense of community is very real.

One thing you'll notice if you've read my books is that I love writing large casts of characters. Every novel follows one couple, but I never want the story to feel like they're living in isolation. Life on a working ranch doesn't happen that way.

There are shared breakfasts before the workday begins, friendly teasing around the dinner table, neighbors who show up when they're needed, and campfires where conversations last long after the stars come out. The ranch family becomes just as important as the romance itself because that's what makes a place feel like home.

Of course, the horses have their own place in my heart, too. They're never just background scenery. Every horse has a unique personality, and every partnership between horse and rider tells its own story. Growing up around horses taught me that no two are exactly alike, and I love bringing that authenticity into my books.

Whispering Creek Ranch is a place where people arrive carrying burdens they never expected to share. Along the way, they find healing, friendship, laughter, and sometimes the love they've been missing all along.

That's exactly the feeling I hoped readers would experience when they opened One More Chance, Cowboy, the first book in the Whispering Creek Cowboys series. I can't wait to continue the journey with Not a Chance, Cowboy, Half a Chance, Cowboy, and Last Chance, Cowboy.

I'd love to hear from you. Have you ever visited a place that stayed with you long after you left? Maybe it was a ranch, a trail ride, a vacation, or somewhere that simply felt like home.

Sometimes the best stories begin with memories we never expected to keep.

If you'd like to visit Whispering Creek for yourself, I'd love to welcome you there.

Grab your copy of One More Chance, Cowboy TODAY.

Happy reading,

Brandi

 

A Patriot's Promise

 

In honor of America's 250th Anniversary, I put together a special boxed set of patriotic wholesome romances.  

Each one of these stories touched my heart as I wrote them, and I hope they'll touch yours as you read them. 

Courage wears many uniforms. 

Love is the promise that brings them home.

From the battlefields of World War I France to the uncertainty of a top-secret World War II mission, from a cowboy veteran returning to the ranch he loves to a former Tomb Guard searching for peace in a mountain town, A Patriot’s Promise gathers four full-length wholesome romances filled with faith in the future, tenderness, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love.

★ In Sadie, a gifted doctor finally sets out on the grand adventure she has always dreamed of when America enters the Great War. But as the wounded arrive in endless numbers, Sadie Thorsen faces the greatest test of her heart when the man she has loved for years is reported missing in action. Across war-torn France, Harley John Hobbs clings to one hope — seeing Sadie again.

★ In Home of Her Heart, Sergeant Klayne Campbell volunteers for a dangerous World War II mission knowing he may never return. With no family to remember him, he offers spirited Delaney Danvers a marriage of convenience, hoping to leave behind someone who will know he mattered. But one night as her husband gives Klayne something far more powerful than a name on a beneficiary form — a reason to fight his way home.

★ In The Cowboy’s Summer Love, Travis Thompson returns from military service to the Triple T Ranch, restless, wild-hearted, and determined to outrun the memories that followed him home. Tess Morgan has loved him for years, but convincing Travis she is more than his best friend’s sister may be her biggest challenge yet. As summer works its magic, two hearts may finally discover they belong together.

★ In Lake Bride, Bridger Holt’s life has been shaped by duty, discipline, and the twenty-one steps he walked as a sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Unsure what comes next, he retreats to a mountain cabin in Holiday, Oregon, where a sunshine-hearted nurse, a cast of quirky townsfolk, and a few persistent animals might help him find hope, healing, and a future worth embracing.

Heartwarming, hopeful, and rich with the love of country, family, and home, A Patriot’s Promise is a moving collection of four sweet romances celebrating brave hearts, second chances, and the kind of love that stands strong through every season.

USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield grew up on a farm where her childhood brimmed with sunshine, hay fever, and an ongoing supply of learning experiences.

Today, Shanna draws on her rural roots to create sweet and wholesome romances filled with hope, humor, quirky small-town characters, realistic heroes, and women of strength. Her historical westerns have been described as historically accurate, blending facts with engaging fiction, while her contemporary works have been called laugh-out-loud funny, swoony, and heartwarming.

When this award-winning author isn’t writing or testing out new recipes (she loves to bake!), Shanna hangs out at home in the Pacific Northwest with her beloved husband, better known as Captain Cavedweller.

To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her website.

The Aztec

 

By Kristy McCaffrey

The Aztec of Mexico are sometimes grouped with the Mayan and the Inca, but they were separate groups. The Mayan were the oldest, with a history beginning around 2000 BC.  The Aztec lived in the 13^th and 14^th centuries in central Mexico, while the Inca also shared this timeframe but were in South America. All three fell to Spanish conquistadors in the 1500’s.

The Aztec founded a settlement called Tenochtitlan in 1325, and initially it was controlled by the Tepanec people. In 1428, the Aztec formed an alliance with two other cities and formed the Aztec Triple Alliance and were able to gain control of their region.

A ceramic sculpture representing Mictlantecuhtli,
the God of Death of the Aztecs.

The Aztec practiced bloodletting (offering one’s own blood) and human sacrifice as part of their religious practices. It’s believed the violence of the Spanish conquest against the Aztec was due in part to the Conquistadors disgust over these rituals.

The Spanish arrived in 1519, led by Hernán Cortés, and he allied with city-states opposed to the Aztec. That same year, Tenochtitlan fell and the Spanish founded Mexico City on the Aztec city’s ruins.

At its height, Aztec culture had rich and complex philosophical, mythological, and religious traditions, along with impressive artistic and architectural accomplishments.

Montezuma, the ninth Aztec Emperor of Mexico.

The legend of Emperor Montezuma’s gold claims that around 1520 the Aztec moved a vast fortune of 3,000 pounds of gold bars and other artifacts into the American Southwest to keep it out of the hands of the Spanish Conquistadors. Modern-day treasure hunters continue to search for it in Utah, Nevada, and New Mexico.

In my upcoming book, THE FALCON, Mateo and Josie are caught up in the search for an Aztec treasure in the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains in Northern Mexico.

The Falcon by Kristy McCaffrey
Wings of the West: Book 12
Coming September 22, 2026

Mexico

December 1899 

Josie Ryan’s connection to Texas runs deep, from the land to an almost preternatural kinship with the animals in the wild. This bond has led her to the edge of life and death, from saving a boy caught in a fire when she was eleven years old to being struck by lightning to a mountain lion attack that almost ended her life. The discovery of an abandoned falcon chick leads to a fierce attachment, but with only intuition to guide her, Josie struggles to train the wildest creature she’s ever encountered. When she learns of a man who could help, she’s determined to gain an introduction. 

Mateo Almirón, El Halconero—The Falconer—and Argentine gaucho, is tasked with delivering two prized purebred Criollo mares to Matt Ryan, a man whose reputation casts a long shadow. Years ago, Ryan saved the life of Mateo’s father, and the horses will settle the longstanding debt, but when the exchange goes wrong, Mateo is entrusted with protecting Ryan’s daughter, Josie. Now Mateo and Josie must hide in the mountains of Northern Mexico where stories abound of Josie’s mother, a woman who lived among the Comanche and rose from the dead. 

But in a place alive with superstition, Josie and her untamed falcon will give rise to a new legend …

Josie is the youngest child of Matt and Molly from THE WREN.

* * * * *

Available for pre-order from Nook and Apple Books.

(It will also be available at Amazon, Kobo, Google Play Books, and in paperback on release day.)

Connect with Kristy

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Newsletter

 

 

The Man Who Tried to Cancel Fireworks: Charles Pennypacker

Charles Pennypacker, a Pennsylvania lawyer, legislator, and governor, wasn't anti-American. He just wanted people to stop blowing themselves up every Fourth of July.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Independence Day celebrations could be dangerous. In 1903 alone, more than 460 people died during Fourth of July festivities. Thousands more suffered burns, lost fingers, contracted infections, or developed tetanus from fireworks-related injuries.

The culprits included:

·       Homemade fireworks

·       Exploding firecrackers

·       Toy pistols that fired blank cartridges

·       Cannons

·       Gunpowder accidents

·       People firing guns into the air

Pennypacker looked at the annual chaos and decided enough was enough. He became a leading voice in the "Safe and Sane Fourth" movement, which encouraged Americans to celebrate without risking life and limb.

Instead of fireworks and explosives, Pennypacker suggested more peaceful activities such as:

·       Picnics

·       Family gatherings

·       Trolley rides

·       Relaxing in a hammock

·       Sandwiches

·       Cake

·       Even deviled eggs

Americans were not impressed.

According to newspaper reports, on July 3, 1904, a group of young men gathered outside Pennypacker's home armed with Roman candles and fireworks. When midnight struck, they unleashed fifteen straight minutes of explosions outside his windows.

Despite the ridicule, Pennypacker's efforts helped spark real change. The Safe and Sane Fourth movement gained momentum across the country. Cities began regulating fireworks, and some banned certain types altogether.

Even President William Howard Taft supported the movement. In 1910, he attended a Safe and Sane Fourth of July celebration that featured no firecrackers. By 1929, more than twenty states had enacted laws regulating fireworks.

Today, most Americans take fireworks regulations for granted. Few realize that a century ago, Independence Day injuries could be deadly.

Charles Pennypacker died in 1929 at the age of fifty-nine. While history remembers him for many accomplishments, I appreciate him for something simple: he looked at a dangerous tradition and tried to make it safer. Judging by the number of fingers still attached after modern Fourth of July celebrations, I'd say he made a difference.

Sources: Smithsonian Magazine and contemporary newspaper accounts.

Summer Cooking ~ Julie Lence

 

It’s July 1^st.  Sunshine… warm temps… Can you believe we’re halfway through the year? And getting ready to celebrate our nation’s independence? For me, oftentimes New Year’s Day and January feel like ages ago. Other times, I feel as though I just put away Christmas. Either way, I’m all for pleasant weather, morning walks with the pup, and cooking outside; I’m not a fan of cooking in a hot kitchen and can’t imagine how pioneer women cooked over an open fire those scorching months of summer, especially wearing those long dresses and numerous un-mentionables. But they did, and if they were lucky, they sometimes escaped the kitchen’s heat for a picnic, or for social celebrations in town. What might one find in those picnic baskets or box lunches?  A variety of cold meats such as roast beef and ham, sandwiches made with thick slices of bread, and tinned sardines were popular. Pickles, stuffed eggs (our version of deviled eggs using the yolk, mustard, cayenne, vinegar, and butter), and baked beans were also found beneath the lid. And don’t forget jam tarts or puddings for dessert and lemonade to drink. An over-abundance of food, just like at many of today’s 4^th of July celebrations. Check out a few quick recipes below to combat the heat of the kitchen.

 

Turkey Apple Panini

Ingredients:

4 slices of hearty bread

2 tbsp butter softened

¼ cup apple butter

4 oz sharp cheddar cheese thinly sliced

1 apple thinly sliced

½ pound sliced deli turkey

 

Directions:

Pre-heat the panini maker.

Spread the butter evenly on one side of each slice of the bread.

Place one slice of the bread on the preheated panini maker, buttered side of bread down.

Working quickly, spread apple butter evenly on that piece of bread.

Add the cheese, then the apples.

Layer the turkey evenly

Top with more apples and then cheese.

Add apple butter to the other side of the remaining piece of buttered bread.

Place that piece of bread on top of the sandwich.

Close the panini lid and press the sandwiches together.

Cook for 3-5 minutes until the bread is crispy and browned. Serve warm.

 

 

Cheese Tortellini Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

20 ounces Three Cheese Tortellini

10 ounces Mini Pepperonis

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

6 ounces Whole Medium Black Olives, pitted

1 cup Banana Pepper Rings

2 cups Italian Dressing (Bottled)

5 ounces Shredded Parmesan Cheese

 

Directions:

  Cook tortellini pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse. Set aside to cool.

  Mix the pepperoni, tomatoes, olives and banana peppers in a large bowl. Toss with cooled

  tortellini. Gently stir in the Italian dressing and cheese until all ingredients are evenly coated.

  Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving. Serve cold.

 

 

Hawaiian Grilled Chicken

Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 cup soy sauce

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup canned pineapple juice

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

Directions:

Place the chicken thighs in a bowl or large resealable plastic bag to get ready for marinating.

Mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, garlic, and ginger until the sugar dissolves completely, creating a rich marinade.

Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal it up, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to let the flavors soak in deeply. This step is crucial for authentic Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken taste.

Remove the chicken from the marinade but save the liquid for later use.

In a medium saucepan, simmer the marinade for 5-10 minutes until it thickens slightly, turning it into a glossy sauce.

Preheat your grill, place the chicken on it, and brush on the cooked marinade while grilling for added flavor; cook for about 5-6 minutes per side until the internal temperature hits 165°F.

Wrap the chicken in foil and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to keep it juicy.

Serve chicken whole or sliced, with extra hot teriyaki sauce on top for a finishing touch.