Harvey Girls

Civilizing the West

 In 1876, an enterprising young man named Fred Harvey saw an opportunity to make a name for himself by providing decent meals for rail travelers at decent prices. As it was, travelers were at the mercy of locals at water stops, who preyed on them by selling sandwiches and fruit at exorbitant prices. Since there were no dining cars back then, a passenger had to either go hungry or go broke!

Eventually, Fred opened Harvey House restaurants along railroad lines, providing filling meals at honest prices. He even had refrigerated rail cars for fresh meat and produce to his diners. He also provided meal services on the trains when the railroads opened dining cars and opened a few hotels for train travelers. It's believed that "blue plate specials" began at the Harvey House because meals were served on blue patterned china. Additionally, he offered larger pieces of pie, having them divided in four pieces instead of six.

Besides the excellent meals in his restaurants and clean hotel rooms, what made the Harvey Houses a success were the employees. Harvey wanted his dining service to be as high quality as his meals. He placed ads in newspapers for "single, well-mannered, educated, young women, 18-30 years of age of good character" to apply to be a Harvey Girl. Her salary would be $18.50 a month (generous for that period) plus room and board. She would be required to sign a contract that stated she would be employed at Harvey House for a period of six months. Should she leave before that time, she would forfeit half her salary. She would be expected to wear the Harvey Girl uniform and have a curfew of 10 p.m. Uniforms were starched black and white dresses and aprons with sensible shoes and a white ribbon to tie back her hair. She must wear no cosmetics or chew gum.

Girls often left before their six-month employment to marry, which isn't surprising. After all, these were industrious young women. They'd have to be to travel from their (mostly) back East homes to the wild west to embark on an independent life where they didn't know a soul. However, since they were of good character, educated, adventurous, and served delicious food, they were very attractive to men. Humorist Will Rogers said that they helped civilize the west and he was probably right.

Judy Garland starred in a film about the Harvey Girls, sparking renewed attention to them. Harvey Houses still exist today. I visited one in Hugo, Oklahoma at the old Fisco depot. The food was tasty and the atmosphere was fascinating. I couldn't help but imagine what it would have been like to be a Harvey Girl. Of course, the writer in me couldn't resist and so I wrote a book with a Harvey Girl heroine ("Tough Talk, Tender Kisses") and I had so much fun researching and writing that one! She was the "senior girl" or house mother in charge of the other girls and she took her job very seriously.

If you ever get the chance to stop in at one of the remaining Harvey Houses -- the most famous one is La Posada in Winslow, AZ -- be sure and do so. There are still quite a few scattered across the west and while the restrictions on the servers no longer apply, the food is still a good bargain.

Thomas Wentworth Higginson - More than a Mentor

 

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

Have you heard of Colonel Thomas Wentworth Higginson? How about Emily Dickenson? Maybe Helen (Hunt) Jackson? 

Col. Higginson mentored and edited both. He also led one of the all-Black regiments in the Civil War. In all honesty, that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Born December 22, 1823, in Cambridge, MA., and passed on May 9,1911, in Cambridge, MA. He entered Harvard at 13 and graduated at 18. He later returned to Harvard Divinity School, where he received another degree and was ordained as a Unitarian minister at 24.

He was also an abolishist, a supporter of women's suffrage, an author, and a poet. He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for two terms.     

Higginson during the Civil War
from Wikipedia

For those who are interested, Higginson wrote the following:

Army Life in a Black Regiment 

Common Sense About Women 

Women and Men

For more about Higginson, there is a recent biography, "A Man on Fire: The Worlds of Thomas Wentworth Higginson", by Douglas R. Egerton. You can read an overview on the Wikipedia page: Higginson - Wikipedia

Until Next Time:

Doris McCraw

Angela Raines - Amazon

Doris A. McCraw - Amazon

The Cherokee Strip

By Kristy McCaffrey

The Cherokee Outlet was established in 1835 as a piece of land accessible to the Cherokee Nation as part of their move to a reservation in what is now northeastern Oklahoma. The Outlet was 225 miles long and 60 miles wide.

Due to a survey error, a 2.5-mile-wide tract of land that buffered the Kansas state line became known as the Cherokee Strip, and the entire Outlet was often called the Strip.

At the end of the Civil War, a new treaty with the Cherokee allowed several tribes (Ponca, Osage, Pawnee, and Nez Perce to name a few) to settle on the eastern part of the Strip. This was punishment for the Cherokee for siding with the Confederacy during the war. It also cut off their access to the western part of the Strip.

In 1880, the Cherokee Strip Livestock Association was formed and proceeded to lease the western portions for cattlemen from Texas to graze their herds, netting a steady income for the Cherokee. But due to pressure to open up the lands for white settlement, all leases were nullified by Congress in 1890, forcing the Cherokee to sell the land to the U.S. government at well below asking price. (As a side note, actual payment for this land didn’t occur until 1964 when Cherokee claims were finally settled in court.)

In September 1893, the Cherokee Outlet was opened for Oklahoma’s fourth and largest land run. It was inadequately run and chaotic, resulting in massive fraud, widespread suffering, and several deaths with over 100,000 pioneers pursuing 40,000 homesteads. Immigrants from almost every part of the U.S. and many foreign countries participated.

* * *

Pre-Order THE SWAN

Amazon | Apple Books | Nook | Google Play

(it will also be available at Kobo and in paperback on release day)

Oklahoma Territory
November 1899 

Dr. Anna Ryan has been spurned by the Dallas medical community for the simple reason of being a woman. Wanting more than a rural practice alongside her mother, also a doctor, Anna accepts an invitation from a mentor to join a private hospital for disabled children in Oklahoma City. But when she falls in with a band of women attempting to liberate a town of innocents, she’ll need more than her medical training to survive.

Malcolm Hardy has skirted the line between lawlessness and justice since escaping the mean streak of his father and his no-good half-siblings a decade ago. In Oklahoma Territory he created enough distance from his family name to find a quiet purpose to his days. But then Anna Ryan walks back into his life, and his hard-won peace is in jeopardy.

The last time Malcolm saw Anna, she had been a determined girl he couldn’t help but admire. Now she was a compelling woman who needed his help to find The Swan, a mysterious figure with a questionable reputation. But one thing was clear—Anna’s life path was on a trajectory for the remarkable while Malcolm’s was not. Surrendering to temptation would only end in heartbreak.

Anna is the eldest daughter of Logan and Claire from THE DOVE. 

The Wings of the West Series Reading Order
Book One: The Wren
Book Two: The Dove
Book Three: The Sparrow
Book Four: The Blackbird
Book Five: The Bluebird
Book Six: The Songbird (Novella)
Book Seven: Echo of the Plains (Short Story)
Book Eight: The Starling
Book Nine: The Canary
Book Ten: The Nighthawk
Book Eleven: The Swan (Coming Soon) 

Connect with Kristy

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For The Love of Angst

 Raise your hand if you watch or used to watch soap operas. I have both hands up, however being that I was a full time junior high and high school student at the time, I was limited to the ONE soap opera that came on AFTER SCHOOL from three to four p.m. Any guesses?

General Hospital. Lol. Allen and Monica. Robert and Anna. Frisco and Felicia. Sonny. If you know you know.

Pair my GH obsession with afternoons of Donahue, Maury Povich, and Dr. Phil where people slung both real and scripted mud at each other for hours on end, and you can practically see my angsty little self developing.

Add a few episodes of Dallas, Magnum PI, and the Love Boat and I have now turned into a full-fledged drama queen.

If you’re on Instagram much in the bookish community, you know that RomComs are all the rage right now. With their cartoon covers and lighthearted plots aimed at making readers laugh and swoon, RomComs offer a happy reprieve from a world that can all too often be swamped with bad news. RomComs occupy an important niche in romancelandia.

That being recognized, I am here to tell you that I don’t think I could ever write one. Why? Because I’m in love with angst. I’ve heard it said that books allow us to wrestle with our questions. The way I heard that quote was in the context of readers wrestling with questions, but I think just as much, stories allow authors to wrestle with questions, and I’ve been pondering lately why I write the things I do.

Each of the books I’ve written so far has angst, albeit in varying levels. From the cowboy who hides his real name, so his teenage crush won’t be creeped out that he’s thought about her for twenty years, to the celebrity singer who is assaulted by her powerful boss, my books touch on trouble and stir up issues that some readers, fairly acknowledged, don’t care for.

As authors, we are encouraged to “write to market” which means finding what readers want and providing them with it. This is the way to ensure that your books will sell, and money will be made. It is exactly this good advice that got me wondering why I don’t just write a RomCom.

After much pondering, I’ve come up with a few thoughts.

First, I like the intellectual stimulation posed by extremely angsty plots. Yes, my emotions go on a roller coaster which can be exhausting, but my brain goes along for the ride. Do I agree with how the characters are acting? Can I think of any better solutions for the troubles they’ve gotten themselves into? Do I still like them after they’ve misbehaved? How would I handle things if I were in their shoes? The examination of deep questions is something I actually enjoy.

 

Second, my personality veers toward the serious. I love a good laugh as much as the next guy, but I’ve also spent seasons of my employment life assisting people through difficulties and tough situations. It almost feels like the insights I’ve gained and the compassion I’ve cultivated are looking for an outlet. Crafting my own stories and writing my own outcomes for my characters is a way for me to launch my values out into the world and maybe encourage or inspire someone.

 

And finally—probably most importantly, I am a sucker for a good transformation story. My heart gets all warm and squishy watching people change from troubled to triumphant and problematic to powerful. Of course, in order to achieve this, a character has to start somewhere pretty far back on the arc of change, and again, some readers are not interested in this type of book journey.

The three angstiest (Is this a word?) books I’ve written are The Perfect Storm, Fake Engagement at the Rusted K, and All That Glitters.

 

The Perfect Storm, book 3 in the Sweet With Faith Blue Sky Series is a fierce love triangle. The FMC is caught between a new love interest and a man from her past who hurt her and now wants a second chance. Two of the characters are Native American and wound into the plot is the story of one of the men searching for pieces of his identity—details which have been lost to him his entire life.

 

Fake Engagement at the Rusted K, book 2 in The Sweet With Sizzle Fake Series follows a single mom who applies to be a secret nanny for Country Music’s celebrity bad boy. Their attraction is instantaneous, but the baggage the two of them are dragging around – everything from alcoholism to domestic violence, to legal issues and vulnerable kids has at least one of them doubting the wisdom of a romance.

 

All That Glitters, a Sweet With Grit celebrity standalone is the story of a famous but fading star who seduces a rising Nashville newcomer. Their troubled introduction is just the tip of the iceberg in a sea of failures and secrets. Fade to black, infidelity in a dating relationship, violence (SA) against women in the entertainment industry and a near drowning have the characters longing to atone for their mistakes and wondering if they even deserve to fall in love.

 

So back to the question, why do I write these angsty stories? Because people can relate to them. Not every story is for every reader, of course, but if each of my books resonates for only one person with a dash of inspiration, encouragement, entertainment, or hope then I’m satisfied.

 Readers who love romcoms are probably not going to enjoy my books. But people who don’t mind strapping into their seat belt for an emotional ride and a heartfelt journey—those people might just love them.

What kind of reader or writer are you? Drop me a comment and tell me what kind of story makes your heart swell.

Character Interview with Bailey Bennett ~ Julie Lence

Greetings, readers. I’m hanging out backstage at Ringo’s Casino with country music’s sweetheart, Bailey Bennett. She’s just finished the day’s rehearsals for her summer tour and has agreed to chat with me before a costume fitting. Following her into her dressing room, I expected to find numerous photos of Bailey hanging on the walls and many of her awards littering tables. But such is not the case. The only photograph on the cream-colored walls is a painting of cowboys galloping across a field, and except for a glass of tea, the two small tables flanking the plush sofa are bare. A wardrobe on wheels hugs the wall directly across from the sofa, the hangars holding various western shirts and denims. A makeup chair faces the lighted mirror on the back wall, the shelves below the mirror housing an array of makeup, brushes, and hair products. Bailey gestures for me to take a seat on the sofa, then sits next to me.           

Thank you for meeting with me this afternoon, Bailey. My readers are eager to know you better. “My pleasure.” She gestures to the small refrigerator in the front corner. “Would you like something to drink? I have iced tea or soda.”

 I decline the offer and get right to the questions.  

Tell us a bit about The Singer Ropes A Cowboy.  The Singer Ropes A Cowboy is the tale of how Chip and I met. He’s my better half, and my favorite person in the entire world. My twin sister, Barbie, is a close second. Chip and I met last fall in New York City. Barbie and I were in Manhattan to buy Bella Cosmetics, something she’s wanted for a long time. I was also in the city to look over a racehorse at Belmont Park. My sister-in-law said the filly loathed racing and was in need of a good home. Chip was working Belmont that day I went to see Potent Polly, and by his side was a mangy looking pinto. He explained someone had abused her and he was nursing her back to health. He also was quick to inform me Polly was enamored with the pinto and wouldn’t leave her side, hence if I purchased Polly and brought to the family ranch in Reno, the pinto would come, too.

In my initial meeting Chip, it was easy to see he had a way with horses. The abused pinto adored him and Polly did, too. To make the acclimation from Belmont to Reno as easy as possible for the horses, I hired Chip to come with us. Not only did I find his softness for the pair endearing, his dark eyes and muscles were irresistible. Looking back on those few days in the city, I have to say that even though Chip and I started off on the wrong foot, asking him to come to Reno with me was the best decision I’ve ever made. Life without him isn’t worth living.        

What did you think the 1^st time you saw Chip?  That morning at Belmont, she begins, running her fingers through her long dark hair, I was instantly attracted to his rugged handsomeness and his muscles. But then, he spoke, and something in his tone suggested he knew me… that he believed some or all of the gossip surrounding me. I tried to put him at ease, get him to smile, but he rebuked my efforts and made it clear there was nothing I could do or say to change his opinion of me. Funny thing is, even when he was glaring at me, I couldn’t seem to stop my stomach from somersaulting.    

What was your 2^nd thought?  That I should keep my distance, but then, keeping the two horses together was a concern, and with the pinto only trusting Chip, I thought it best to ask him to hire on with me… until I ran into him at a nightclub. His sneer for me and the cameras that night was worse than at the track, and something inside was sure him and I working together was most definitely not a good idea. I said my goodbyes and promised myself to steer clear of him. But those dark eyes… and those muscles…  (Bailey inhales sharply.)

Anyway, Chip needed the job I offered that night at club, to help his family, and wormed his way into my good graces. I still had reservations, but as Barbie was quick to point out, my attraction for Chip wasn’t going to fade any time soon, that he was the 1^st man I took an interest in since breaking off with John. She urged me to bring him to Reno, to give him a chance to prove there was more to him than brawn and a never-ending glare. And if not, I could always send him back to New York. I took her advice, and never regretted it.  

What do you like most about Chip? His honesty. His dedication to his family, and to me. Whether I’m at his side or thousands of miles away, I know he loves me. I feel his commitment to me deep in my bones.     

How would you describe Chip? Kind, caring, trustworthy. Patient with the world I live in. Protective, hard-working; a man who was born to take care of animals.       

How would Chip describe you? Hmmm… (She pauses for a sip of tea. From the glass I noticed on the table upon entering the room.)  Full of anxiety… impatient… unease. I think he understands it took many years for me realize the type of fame I have, to learn how to live within the realm of the entertainment industry while keeping as much of my personal life as I can out of the tabloids. I’m sure he would be quick to say I’m also dedicated to my family and my horses, but above all, he would say I love him with everything that I am.    

What is your biggest fear? At the moment, life is good. Beyond anything I imagined my teenage years. I have money, and a comfortable home. If I woke up tomorrow and found my voice was gone, I’d wouldn’t care, because I know in my heart that no matter what the future brings, Chip will always love me.    

How do you relax? I take a few weeks off in the fall from singing to unwind, usually at Bennett Ranch. Just recently, Chip and I vacationed in Italy over the new year. I’m thinking him and I in Hawaii to usher in the next new year.   

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Well… she sinks her teeth into her bottom lip for a long moment. You can’t tell Chip, but I see him and me married and living in our own home somewhere on Bennett Ranch. I’m still turning out albums and touring during the summer months. Our son accompanies me on the tour bus so Chip can finish his schooling while tackling the ins and outs of opening his own veterinary office.  

Thank you for talking with me this afternoon, Bailey. I’m sure my readers have a better understanding of who you are and look forward to reading your story.

The Singer Ropes A Cowboy is available through Amazon in both E-book and paperback. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1J88PH