Author - Helen (Hunt) Jackson

Post (C) Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

A repost of an earlier article.

Helen (Hunt) Jackson. Since there is a great deal of information on this lady, this post will cover an 'interview' and information about the writing of the book "Ramona" near the end of her life.

Helen (Hunt) Jackson from Wikipedia

First an 'interview':

As you were traveling to the west you made some unique observations. Would you share some of those thoughts?

Prairie, unfenced, undivided, unmeasured, unmarked, save by the different tints of different growths of grass or grain; great droves of cattle grazing here and there; acres of willow saplings, pale yellowish green; and solitary trees, which look like hermits in a wilderness. These, and now and then a shapeless village, which looks even lonelier than the empty loneliness by which it is surrounded, - these are all for hours and hours. We think, “now we are getting out into the great spaces.” “This is what the word ‘West’ has sounded like.”

You appear to prefer the lower elevations as opposed to the high peaks. Why do you think that?

I think that true delight, true realization, of the gracious, tender, unutterable beauty of the earth and all created things are to be found in outlooks from lower points—vistas which shut more than they show, sweet and unexpected revealings in level places and valley, secrets of near woods, and glories of every-day paths.

You are quoted as saying there are nine places of worship in Colorado Springs. What are the?

There are nine “places of divine worship” in Colorado Springs, -- the Presbyterian, the Cumberland Presbyterian, the Methodist, the South Methodist, the Episcopal, the Congregationalist, the Baptist, the Unitarian, and Cheyenne Canyon.

Helen Hunt Falls -North Cheyenne Canyon
Photo (c) by author 

What do you do when the snow covers the ground?

... winter..... memory and fancy will have their way; and, as we sit cowering over fires, and the snow piles up outside our window sills, we shall gaze dreamily into the glowing coals, and, living the summer over again, shall recall it in a minuteness of joy, for summer days were too short and summer light too strong. Then, when joy becomes reverie, and reverie takes shape, a truer record can be written....

Ruth Odell wrote one of the early biographies of Helen. It was published in 1939. Her book talks about the writing of "Ramona" and the end of Helen's life. I share some of that with you here:

According to Odell, Helen wrote Ramona in New York between December 1883 and April 1884.

1883-1884

Berkeley Hotel, New York

Wrote first words of Ramona on Dec. 1, 1883

Pg 210-211 of the book says:

"The novel which Helen hoped so ardently would “tell” in a manner in which A Century of Dishonor had not was written with lightening speed. She was frightened at the intensity of her own interest, which drove her to compose at the rate of from two to three thousand words in a day. It was as if she were haunted and obsessed. So loath was she to stop writing that her concentration resulted in two serious attacks of illness. …..From time to time she drove herself to write a short story, an article....but with the feeling always that she was suffering an actual deprivation in having to turn away from the thing she wished to be doing.....By late February she had finished twenty chapters."

Below is a timeline of the release of the book.

April 12 of 1884  the 'Critic' announced that Mrs. Helen Jackson would soon publish the first long novel under her own name.

May 1, 1884 'The Christian Union' noted that it would begin in a fortnight a serial presentation of the novel Ramona.

On a side note, "Ramona" has had at least 300 printings since that date.

Time line of Helen's last months

June 28, 1884 Helen broke her hip. The fall of 1884 she went to CA .

By Feb 1885 she became seriously ill of what she believed to be “malarial poisoning”.

From Page 212 of the Odell book:

When she could no longer postpone it, the doctor sent a telegram to her husband, who arrived Aug 2. Ten days later the end came. Subsequent dispatches gave the cause of her death as cancer. Fortunately, she had not known.

Evergreen Cemetery Colorado Springs
Photo (c) by the author

Helen made her home in Colorado Springs from 1873 to her death in 1885. She supported the growth of the new town, wrote glowing articles, and even supported reading and libraries. Her final resting place is in Evergreen Cemetery next to her second husband William S. Jackson.

Until Next Time: Stay safe, Stay happy, and Stay healthy. 

Doris

Central Overland Trail by Zina Abbott

While developing the plot for my most recent covered wagon story in the Prairie Roses Collection, I decided for the covered wagon accompanying some of my characters to travel the Central Overland Trail between Salt Lake City, Utah, and Carson, Nevada Territory.

The first bit of confusion I needed to clear up in my own mind was that there were two Central trails and routes which, although they somewhat connected, were not the same. The Overland Trail/Route, also known as the Overland Stage Line, started at the St. Joseph, Missouri and ended at Placerville, California.

The Central Overland Trail was a transportation route from Salt Lake City, Utah, south of the Great Salt Lake through the mountains of central Nevada to Carson City, Nevada. Particularly during the decade between 1859 through 1869, until the first Transcontinental Railroad was completed, it served as an important trail through Utah, Nevada, and California for emigrants, mail, freight, and stagecoach passengers. Once developed, many California-bound travelers chose it over the more-established California Trail that followed the Humboldt River.

Maj. Howard Egan

The trail was first scouted in 1855 by Howard Egan. He used it to drive livestock between Salt Lake City and California. Egan’s route went straight through the high mountain ranges of the Great Basin that most earlier explorers had worked so hard to avoid. However, he discovered a series of mountain passes and mountain springs that aligned to allow an almost straight path across the middle of Utah and Nevada. 

Although many of these places were named later, Egan discovered what we now know as the Schell Creek Range, which could be crossed at Schellbourne Pass. He crossed the Cherry Creek Range at what is now Egan Pass, the Ruby Mountains at Overland Pass, the Diamond Mountains at a different Overland Pass, the Toiyabe Range at Emigrant Pass, and the Desatoya Mountains as Basque Summit. There were other smaller ranges and two large deserts that also needed to be crossed. However, there were a series of springs along the route, which allowed travelers access to water.

Central Overland Trail marker

The advantage of this trail compared to the California Trail was that it was 280 miles shorter. Using the Central Overland Trail could save travelers two weeks of travel time—an important consideration for emigrants headed for California using the Emigrant/Carson Pass Trail.

About 1858, when the U.S. Army learned of this new route, they sent out a survey expedition led by Captain James H. Simpson. The goal was to determine if this would be a good route for delivering supplies to Fort Floyd in Utah. In 1859 and 1860, the Army then improved the trail and springs for use by wagons and stagecoaches.

The southwestern Butterfield Overland Mail route had followed the Gila River to California since 1858. In 1861, John Butterfield, also switched the Butterfield Overland Mail route to the Central Route to avoid possible hostilities with the approach the American Civil War.

George Chorpenning, who held a mail contract for the western part of the nation, immediately realized the value of this more direct route. He had been using the northerly Humboldt Route along the Humboldt River (California Trail), but switched to the Central Overland Trail. The various stage lines, by traveling day and night and changing their teams at about 10 to 20 mile intervals, could transport light freight, passengers, and mail to or from the Missouri River towns to California in about 25–28 days.

In May 1860, the transportation firm of Russell, Majors, and Waddell  acquired George Chorpenning’s contract for mail service from Utah to California. At that point, the Central Overland Trail was joined as part of the Central Overland California and Pike’s Peak Express (C.O.C. & P.P.) route. In addition to freight, they also operated a stagecoach line.

At the encouragement of William H. Russell, in 1860, they formed the Pony Express. With the COC&PP as the parent company and under the direction of Russell, the Pony Express route used the Central Overland Trail for part of the western leg of their fast 10-day mail delivery. Home and relay stations were built along the Central Overland Trail to support both the Pony Express and the stagecoach lines that traveled this route. The firm utilized its partner, William H. Russell’s, equipment and portions of his former Leavenworth & Pike’s Peak Express route, as well as purchasing other lines running to Salt Lake City.

However, the company faired very poorly. The Pony Express experienced heavy losses. After the completion of the Transcontinental Telegraph, the Pony Express became obsolete. The business ran out of cash, and soon the company employees referred to C.O.C.& P.P. Express as “Clean Out of Cash and Poor Pay.” The company collapsed in 1861, and the holdings were sold at a public sale for $100,000 to Ben Holladay on March 21, 1862,

 

Ruins of the Cold Springs Stagecoach Station ctsy Ramartin

 

That was not the end of the Central Overland Trail. California and Nevada produced gold and silver, which was transported as stagecoach cargo going east along that route to support the Civil War. Nearly all stage lines were heavily subsidized to carry the mail. After the American Civil War, Wells Fargo & Co. absorbed the Butterfield stage lines and ran stage coaches and freight wagons along the Central Overland Route. Wells Fargo also developed the first agriculture in the Ruby Valley in Nevada to help support their livestock. The Army established Fort Ruby at the southern end of Ruby Valley in Nevada to protect travelers against marauding Indians along the road.

The Central Overland Trail continued to be used by stagecoaches, freighters, and wagon trains until the coming of the First Transcontinental Railroad made the trail all but obsolete except for local traffic.

The desert regions of central Utah and Nevada are dry and mostly desolate desert. For some beautiful pictures of the location of Cold Springs Station, part of this route, please CLICK HERE

To view the ruins of both Cold Springs Station and Sand Springs Station please CLICK HERE

In my most recently published book, Lucy, part of the Prairie Roses Collection, I set a scene along the Central Overland Trail. Lucy is currently available as an ebook, for sale or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. It is also available in paperback. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE

 

 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Overland_Route

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/central-overland/

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/leavenworth-pikes-peak/

https://researchworks.oclc.org/archivegrid/collection/data/122499640

https://noehill.com/nv_churchill/poi_central_trail_27.asp

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/a-socially-distanced-excursion-to-original-pony-express-stations-in-nevada.htm

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-overlandstage/

 

Buffalo Bill and the Sells Floto Circus in 1914

 

When I was doing research for my new book coming July 2, I was looking into historical events in 1914 in the town of Pendleton, where the story takes place.

One of the happenings that fit in with the time frame of my story was the arrival of the Sells Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West in June, 1914.

From the article that ran in the Pendleton newspaper, it seems the residents were a bit disappointed with Buffalo Bill, since all he did was ride around the ring, but otherwise loved the circus. 

I have my hero and heroine attending the circus together. Thanks to several photographs and articles I found, it was fun to incorporate many details into the scene. 

The Sells Floto Circus was the result of the Floto Dog and Pony show and the Sells Brother Circus that merged  together.

 The first two owners were Frederick Gilmer Bonfils and Harry Heye Tammen, owners of the Denver Post as well as the Kansas City Post. The circus was created in 1902 and originally titled "Floto Dog and Pony Show." It was four years later that Sells was added to the title, when Willie Sells joined the show. The newspapers gave publicity to the circus and it thrived when others struggled financially.

Los Angeles Record, April 14, 1914

During 1914 and 1915, the show was called Sells-Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill Wild West,  with Buffalo Bill performing in the show. 

The circus traveled all over the United States and received glowing accolades in many newspaper articles, such as the one above from their performance in Los Angeles. 

In 1921, the circus was incorporated into the American Circus Corporation. In September 1929, the corporation's circuses were acquired by John Ringling, and by 1933 Sells-Floto ceased to exist. There was a  brief revival in 1937-38 as part of the Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto Combined Circus. 

You can read about the circus from a fictional viewpoint my my book Luna, releasing July 2. I incorporated details from old photographs and newspaper articles to make the experience feel as realistic as possible.

She’s searching for peace and grace

He’s ready to step into his next big adventure

Haunted by memories of the fateful day that changed her life, Luna Campanelli seeks a fresh start in Pendleton, Oregon. Life in the wild western town is nothing like she imagined, although the rugged beauty of the area soothes her troubled spirit. An unlikely friendship with one of the area ranch hands lifts her hopes, until she discovers the cowboy isn’t who he’s led her to believe.

Hunter Douglas didn’t intend to hide his identity from the woman he met on the train, but when she assumed he was his sister’s hired hand, he didn’t correct her. He never anticipated forming such a deep connection to her, especially when thoughts of her continue to infiltrate his carefully made plans. As a recent college graduate with an inheritance he intends to use to start his own ranch in Pendleton, Hunter must decide if he is willing to open his heart and include Luna in his future.

Will they embrace the unexpected love that has blossomed between them, or let fear tear them apart?

This sweet and wholesome romance is a story of love, healing, and the power of hope in a delightful western setting. Join Luna and Hunter on their journey as they discover what it truly means to love unconditionally.

USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield is a farm girl who loves to write. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances are filled with heart, humor, hope, and hunky heroes. When Shanna isn’t dreaming up unforgettable characters, twisting plots, or covertly seeking dark, decadent chocolate, she hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.
Shanna loves to hear from readers. 

Follow her online at: ShannaHatfield | Facebook | Newsletter

A Good Night's Sleep - comfort came at a price by Kimberly Grist

In the 19th Century, Goodholme's domestic cyclopedia of practical information listed the materials used for mattress stuffing in order of comfort: down, feathers, wool, wool flock, hair, cotton, wood shavings, sea moss, sawdust, and straw.


https://loveiissk.shop/product_details/22238826.html

No wonder our ancestors' bedtime worries included fighting off nocturnal visitors such as moths, bedbugs, fleas, mice, and rats. It was said that many pioneers took their shoes to bed to use as weapons to fight off the unwelcome guests.

https://laurelleaffarm.com/ticking-pillow-doll-bed.htm

In the 19th Century, feather beds became an achievable luxury for those willing to put in the effort to gather the fifty-plus pounds of feathers needed to create a mattress.


Cross-section of a late 18th-century American bed, with bedstead, straw mattress, and feather bed. Photo credit: Wintherur Museum.

Comfort came at a price, and not all of our feathered friends were considered equal.



Feathers from pigeons or chickens were considered inferior. White feathers from domestic geese were best. This led some families to keep flocks of barnyard geese for their meat and eggs and to eat bugs from the garden. Families would save feathers from years of plucking to accumulate the fifty to eighty pounds required to fill a mattress tick. 

https://laurelleaffarm.com/primitive-old-feather-tick.htm

 A tick is a linen or cotton bag filled with either straw, wool, cotton, or feathers without support and sewn shut. This type of mattress was usually put on top of another firmer mattress for support. While tickings eventually wear out and must be replaced, feathers last for years.

https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-d681-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

The upkeep of mattresses wasn’t easy. The feathers had to be aired out or changed out entirely several times a year when they began to stink. Even so, a feather mattress was considered a valuable possession worthy of being passed on as a gift of a comfortable place to sleep to the next generation.

A History of Stuffed Animals

 

In my latest book, Miss Beatrice, the Brides of Fiddler’s Gap, Book 6, I have a scene where my hero presents the heroine’s baby with a stuffed toy. I originally had it as a teddy bear, then remembered they hadn’t been invented yet. My book takes place in 1889. So I had to do a little research and as usual, fell down the research rabbit hole! 

Long before the teddy bear stole our hearts, stuffed toys were already cuddling their way into our lives. These fuzzy beings, also known as plushies or stuffed animals, originated in Germany with the Steiff company in the late 19th century. They were made from materials like plush fabrics and synthetic fibers, they can take on the appearance of anything from a mythical creature to your favorite cartoon character. And let's face it, even as adults we can't resist adding to our collection of these irresistible fluffs influenced by fads and pop culture. Don't believe us? Just ask your overflowing shelf of Funko Pops. Oh yes, stuffed toys have been around long before Teddy ever came along.

Back in 1880, before iPhones and Netflix, the first stuffed felt elephant was created by Margarete Steiff. She called it a pincushion, but let's be real, it was just an excuse to have a cute animal friend. Meanwhile in America, the "Ithaca Kitty" was making waves as one of the first mass produced stuffed toys. Clearly, the world was in dire need of cuddly companions. And in 1903, we got just that when Richard Steiff made a soft bear named "55 PB" after being inspired by real bears at the zoo. 

Then Morris Michtom jumped on the bandwagon and made the first teddy bear ever because he thought President Roosevelt needed some love too. Beatrix Potter also hopped on the stuffed toy trend with her patented Peter Rabbit, while handmade sock monkeys became popular during the Great Depression (because who needs cash when you can have a monkey?). And let's not forget A. A. Milne buying a toy for his son that would inspire Winnie-the-Pooh - talk about successful marketing! Fast forward to modern times and we have unique and quirky characters like Uglydoll and Paddington Bear hitting shelves. Who says adults can't have stuffed animals too?

Until Next Time,

Kit