Author Pages

Friday, March 24, 2023

Fort Halleck, Wyoming Territory by Zina Abbott

 

Established at the base of Elk Mountain on the northern extremity of the Medicine Bow range in Wyoming Territory, Fort Halleck went into operation on July 20, 1862. The building of the Fort was prompted by the hostile Indian warfare existing on the Plains during the early 1860s. Its primary purpose was to aid in keeping the line of transportation open between the East and the West. That included protecting both Ben Holladay’s Overland Stagecoach travel and the telegraph lines.

11th Ohio Volunteer Calvary

Soldiers of Company A of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry stationed in Camp Collins in Colorado were dispatched north to build Fort Halleck to protect the trail from Camp Collins to the Green River stage station in the west. 


They named the fort in honor of Major General Henry Wager Halleck commander of the Department of the Missouri and later General-in-chief of the Union armies.

 

Drawing of Fort Halleck by Bugler C. Moellman

The site was located on the north side of Elk Mountain at an elevation of about 7300 feet. It was built near a spring, had plenty of wood, and the region was filled with ample game. The fort complex consisted of stables large enough to hold 200 horses, storehouses, two sets of company quarters, officers’ quarters, a store, a bakehouse, a jail, and a hospital. The buildings consisted of log structures, huts, and dugouts flanking a small parade ground. Native materials from the nearby mountains were used, and some of the structures were made by placing logs upright in the ground close together and then adding a sod roof. The majority, however, were the conventional low profile log cabin style. There is no evidence that the Fort ever had a stockade surrounding it.

The location had its challenges, several involving climate. On March 2, 1863, Lt. Col. William Collins wrote to his superior officer, stationed in Omaha, Nebraska Territory. “It had stormed more or less for two days, and on the third day (Feb. 28) a few hours after leaving camp a terrific storm came on which lasted all day and into the night. The air was so filled with snow that it was often impossible to see ten yards in any direction. … Finding it impossible to kindle a fire on account of the violence of the wind, after a delay of about half an hour the march was resumed.”

Arrows show locations of Ft. Halleck and Rock Creek Station

Though it was considered one of the most dangerous sections of the trail, and the troops were kept busy defending the area, it was also a busy location. In 1864, over 4200 wagons carrying 17,584 emigrants passed the fort, bringing over 50,000 animals.

The trail was at its busiest in 1864 and 1865. During this time, troops were often used as escorts and drivers for the stages. At times in 1864 and 1865 ongoing attacks caused the mail to accumulate at stations in Colorado and at Fort Halleck until it could be transported to Green River via government wagons. 

Busy or not, after just four short years, the fort was abandoned in 1866. By the following year, one traveler described it as “the most dreary place on the entire route.”

For a detailed account of what took place during the years Fort Halleck was in operation, read the account at WyoHistory

Location of former Fort Halleck - Map courtesy of Google Maps

Fort Halleck was officially abandoned by the military on July 4, 1866 by then, commanding officer, Captain Henry R. Mizner. He dismantled the Fort and removed the usable materials and supplies to Fort Buford (later Sanders), a newly located post on the Laramie Plains established in anticipation of the forthcoming construction of a transcontinental railroad.


The four year period in which Fort Halleck was in existence represented a critical time in American history. Although short-lived, the Fort filled a vital need in serving the interests of the United States government when maintaining contact with the Western states became an important consideration in the nation's survival.

The only building remaining on the former Fort Halleck site is the Blacksmith’s cabin, a low-roofed log structure. To see images of this building, please CLICK HERE.

 

I have two books set in the region of Elk Mountain and the former Fort Halleck. Both take place about fifteen years after the fort was decommissioned.

Lauren, Book 2 in the Rescue Me (Mail-order Brides) series is largely set in Rock Creek, Wyoming Territory. It was on the original Overland Trail, plus it became a rail stop on the Union Pacific Railroad. To read the book description and find the purchase options, please CLICK HERE.

 

 


My Runaway Brides of the West series book, Ellie, has scenes in both Medicine Bow, just north of the Fort Halleck site, and in Como Bluff, across the Medicine Bow River from the town. To read the book description and find the purchase options, please CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

Sources:

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=95377

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/fort-halleck-wyoming/

https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/fort-halleck-and-overland-trail

https://wyoshpo.wyo.gov/index.php/programs/national-register/wyoming-listings/view-full-list/435-fort-halleck

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Halleck_(Wyoming)

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

The Creation of a Series: How it began

Last month, I talked about my recent release of Saving Maddie. Even though it's the second in the series, it was the book that started it all. Finding Liv came about because of Liv and Conner. Even though it wasn't their book, it came alive and I fell in love with them. While writing their story, other couples captured my heart. I love telling their stories and making this ranch and small town community come to life.

As I'm editing and polishing Cooper’s story, I am excited to share it with you all. Each character embraces their country roots a little differently, as you can tell by how each brother responds to their responsibilities to the ranch and family. Wyatt has fought against it his whole adult life, but will drop everything if the ranch needs him. Conner, well, it's all he's ever wanted and then there's Cooper who isn't quite sure where he fits in and finally finds something in the middle. 


After the brother's stories are told, I plan to circle back for some of my favorite couples.


I'm so glad Wyatt wasn't an only child. (Originally he was, but something was missing).


Want a little history about the Ridge Ranch? Check out Managing Ryan. Their story can be found here for free.


From Managing Ryan


“Are you Ryan?” she asked as she walked up to the front porch where I stood.

“That depends.” I crossed my arms.

“On what?” She looked a little nervous.

“Who wants to know and what their purpose is?”

She wiped her hands on her skirt in a nervous gesture then

offered her hand to me. “I’m Heather. I wanted to say thank you.”

She drove all this way for that? It was only a meal. “For?” I raised my brow but didn’t shake her hand. She bit her lip and lowered her hand.

I made her nervous. The thought made me smile. “Lunch.”

I glanced at the corral where Sugar started bucking and throwing a tantrum. Something wasn’t right.

Damn it, Suzy, can’t someone do something nice? 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I grabbed my hat and walked past her to the corral. The crunch of gravel told me she was following me.

“Sir, can I get a minute of your time?”

Sam grabbed a rope and headed in, but I saw the problem when I got a glimpse of the whip in Frankie’s hand. After I cut through the gate, I turned back to her.

 “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but I’m kinda busy at the moment. You said thank you. You’re welcome. Have a nice day.”

My eyes met hers and the same reaction I had in the diner happened. I wanted to ask her about herself, get to know her, talk to her. Her smile caught my attention. And then she drove out here to thank me. It all had me wanting to know more. Who was this woman?

“I’ll wait,” she said with a smile.

***

I turned back to Heather, who stood there quietly as everything had taken place in front of her. She smiled at me and for some reason, it eased the looming stress of the upcoming issues I’d be dealing with. Closing the distance between us, I searched for my words. There was something about her I couldn’t place. Ever since my divorce, I steered clear of women. But one look at her and I was torn between wanting to know more and having her as far away from here as possible.

“Thank you, ma’am,” I said. It was the only thing I could come up with, as I stopped a respectful distance away.

“It looked like you could handle yourself.” She scanned me and from her smile, I took it as she liked what she saw.

“Yes, but you saved me from him getting a cheap shot in. You know, I have my rep to protect.” I chuckled and leaned against the fence, forcing myself to focus on Conner instead of the woman next to me. “So, what can I do for you?”

“Rumor has it the ranch is in need of a cook.” She leaned on the fence next to me.

I turned and looked at her. “And where did you get that information?”

“Well, you guys aren’t quiet, and I was at the table next to yours.” She handed me a business card for the dinner. “And I might have had some help.”

“Suzy.” I shook my head. From the look of things, Conner had calmed Sugar and was cooling her down. I nodded at him, then turned and headed into the house. From the sound of her footsteps, she followed.

Before I stepped up onto the porch, I paused and turned to her. “You have experience?”

She wrung her hands but didn’t look away. “I can cook.” “That wasn’t my question. It’s not as simple as cooking. We have a dozen mouths to feed. After a long day the one thing we look forward to is having food ready at mealtimes.”

“Sounds like it’s been a while since that’s happened.” The sarcasm rolled off her.

“When was the last time you were around real-life cowboys?”

“What does that have to do with anything?” She placed her hand firmly on her hip.

“Listen here, sweetheart,” I said, automatically regretting my choice of words as she pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes as her hands tightened into fists. “The guys here work hard. They’re dirty and sometimes downright disgusting. They’re not going to watch their p’s and q’s because you show up. It’s a demanding bunch and honestly, most of them can be downright a**holes.”

“I can handle a couple of a**holes,” she said. “So, do you make the decisions around here, or should I be talking to someone else?”

I had to admit, she had spunk.

Oh, Lord, help me now. The things I wanted to do to her and having her cook wasn’t one of them. I chuckled as I shook my head. Conner had said hire a cook. Too bad our guys would have her running for the hills by dessert.


 



Monday, March 20, 2023

Evil Lady Doctor


     Anxiously counting the days until I go to Bellingham, Washington for the Chanticleer International Book Awards conference.  Both Guarded Hearts and Outlaw's Redemption made the Finals! Super excited about it. I love the Chanticleer conference and since I haven't been able to go for the past three years, I'm ready to see everyone again.

       Since I'll be driving from Wyoming to Washington, I was looking at different things to stop and see. I'm going to get in a lot of book research along the way. In Washington I found a few ghost towns and old Cemetaries to visit. So many neat things in Washington. In my looking, I came across the story of the Williamson Sisters and Dr. Linda Hazzard. I dug a little deeper into the story and found it very interesting. I watched Ask a Mortician on YouTube about the sisters. There is also a book about it by Gregg Olson called Starvation Heights.

   Dr. Linda Hazzard was a fasting specialist. She published her book Fasting for the Cure of Disease in 1908. Wealthy British sisters Claire and Dora Williamson were visiting Vancouver when they learned of Hazzard and her Institute of Natural Therapeutics in Olalla, Washington. Hazzard sent them her book and the sisters decided to go the Institute, though neither were seriously ill. Dora complained of swollen glands and rheumatic pains.

Dora and Claire Williamson

    In 1911 the sisters arrived in Seattle and Hazzard set them up in the Capitol Hotel until her sanitarium in Olalla was ready. They were only allowed to eat a cup of broth made from tomatoes twice a day. They endured hours-long enemas in a bathtub. Hours-long! Then the tub was covered with canvas supports when the sisters started fainting from the pain.

    In two months the sisters were moved to the sanitarium in Olalla, weighing only 70 pounds. Things only got worse at the sanitarium. Tomato broth, enemas, scalding baths, and massages (physical pummeling) were a daily occurrence. Hazzard manipulated the sisters into signing over their wealth and jewelry to her. Something she did with many of her patience. One of the sisters snuck a cablegram to their childhood nurse, Margaret Conway, and she came to the sanitarium. When Margaret arrived, Claire was already dead.

Lina Hazzard mugshot

   By now, Dora weighted only 50 pounds. Hazzard basically held her for ransom until Dora's uncle from Portland paid nearly a thousand dollars to get her out. Hazzard was charged with the murder or Claire (though she had starved many patience to death) and was found guilty. She was sentenced to hard labor in Walla Walla and her medical license revoked. The was later pardoned by the governor after two years. In 1920 she returned to Olalla and built her dream sanitarium. She actually had customers. I can't imagine willingly going to a doctor that was known for starving her patients to death. Her sanitarium later burned down in 1935.

  Though there is nothing left but a 7-foot-tall concrete tower and the ruins of the buildings foundation in Olalla, if I have time I'd like to go see where it was. When I'm at the Pikes Market Place I can see the Northern Bank and Trust building, where Hazzard's office was back in 1911.

  Claire Williamson is buried in the Tacoma Cemetary. Hopefully I will get the chance to stop and see her grave.




The Doctor Who Starved Her Patience to Death by Bess Lovejoy

The Doctor, the Mortician, and the Murder on  Ask A Mortician

Thursday, March 16, 2023

New Release: Return to Silverhills

 


 

Tagline: A trail boss with a fast gun. A damaged woman. A cattle drive fraught with danger. And a combustible attraction. 


 Mini Excerpt:

Boom.

The unexpected sound made her heart crash against her ribs, her hands grow clammy and her breath push in and out in sharp gasps. Her horse sidled in response to her nerves.

Boom.Boom.

More gunfire and whoops sounded in the distance.

She flinched. The bang and flash of gunfire. The sight and scent of sulphur. Always a reminder of the night the Comancheros had captured her and slaughtered her family.

Fighting back the painful memories, Lisa Reiner stared into the valley at the ranch below, the mountains behind it throwing off a blinding glitter wherever the sun touched. Alex talked incessantly about those flashes of silver in the hills. Alex. Who’d cared enough to take her out of the mission and bring her to her own home to start fresh, to live with her like a sister.

Slowly. Tentatively. Fear and nerves crawled into excitement. Silverhills.

 

Bio:

Sandra, who also writes as S. Cox, is a vegetarian, animal lover and avid gardener. She lives with her husband, their dog and cats in sunny North Carolina.

An award-winning author, her stories consist of all things Western and more.

 

Foodie Facts:

She spent a number of years in the Midwest chasing down good Southern BBQ. By the time she moved to North Carolina where Southern BBQ is practically a staple, she’d become a vegetarian.

Pineapple is a must-have on pizza, along with black olives and onions.

She loves pumpkin waffles. Pumpkin cream cheese, not so much.

You can find her at:

http://www.sandracoxwriter.com

http://www.cowboytrivia.blogspot.com

https://sandracoxblogspot.com

http://www.twitter.com/Sandra_Cox.

 

Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Return-Silverhills-Sandra-Cox-ebook/dp/B0BS77JXFV

 

 

Return to Silverhills word search: Can you find the character names:  Lisa, Jeff, Cookie, Alex, Brandon, Martha, Maria, Tony, Ralph, Joe, Jose, Charlie.

 

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