I'm In Awe Of ...

 Post by Doris McCraw

writing as Angela Raines

Photo property of the Author

I've been writing about National Native Heritage Month across the blogs  I've always been fascinated by Indigenous peoples and would read all I could when younger. Later as life got in the way, I didn't read as much and what I did read was specialized. I became fascinated with those who lived across cultures. I am in awe of those who made the best of situations that were sometimes out of their control.

In Colorado, three women stand out to me. Owl Woman, Amache, and Chipeta.

Owl Woman as drawn by Lt. James Abert
from Wikipedia

Owl Woman (Misanta) was the wife of William Bent. Owl Woman was a Cheyenne, daughter of a man of power within the tribe. She was born around 1810 and married William Bent in 1835. As the wife of the 'manager' of Bent's Fort, she was in a position to aid her husband in their relations with the many indigenous people and diverse travelers along the Santa Fe Trail. She and William had four children and she passed away in 1847.

Amache Powers 
photo from Wilipedia

Amache (Walking Woman) born in 1846, was also Cheyenne. Her father was one of the peace chiefs killed during the Sand Creek Massacre. It is said that John Wesley Powers, who was at the time employed at Bent's New Fort saw Amache doing a native dance. He asked her father for Amache's hand in marriage. The two were married in 1861 when Amache was around seventeen. She and Powers had nine children and the two created a business and cattle ranch in Southeastern Colorado. Amache died in 1905.

Chipeta and Chief Ouray
photo from Wikipedia

Chipeta (While Singing Bird) was born around 1843 into the Kiowa Apache tribe. She was adopted and raised by the Uncompahgre Utes. She married Ouray, as his second wife in 1859. Like the other two, she worked to bridge the life of her people and the settlers moving into their lands. After the Meeker Massacre, the Utes were moved to the reservation in Utah, despite having nothing to do with the incident. 

I look at these women who made efforts to ease the integration of the settlers moving into their homelands. What these women accomplished have me in awe. 

If you would like to read the prior post, they can be found here:

https://prairierosepublications.blogspot.com/2021/11/a-passion-for.html

https://cowboykisses.blogspot.com/2021/11/my-fascination-with.html

Although I don't mention any of these people in the novel "Chasing a Chance", the hero, Edwin Markham travels through the area around Boggsville, where Amache lived, and La Junta, where Bent's Old Fort was located. The history of these people are in my mind when I travel that area. They are worth remembering.

Amazon

Until next time, keep researching, writing, and perhaps you'll find those people you are in awe of.

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Angela Raines - author: Telling Stories Where Love & History Meet

Books: Angela Raines Books

Website: Angela Raines - author

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

Boston, Colorado

 Post by Doris McCraw

writing as Angela Raines

There were actually two 'Boston' Colorados. One was the name of a company that had mining concerns in the mountains. The second was a town in the Southeast part of the state. It was the one near Lamar, Colorado that sparked an idea for a story way back in 2015. Below is a news clipping about the town that caught my eye. 

Boston Colorado.

And a second article I found that same year.

Badman killed in Boston, Colorado

It was these clippings and other stories that eventually became the seed of the story "Chasing A Chance" My 'what-if'? What would a man do if he found his first love was in that town and possibly in danger. The story began to take shape. 

Below is a short excerpt:

"Chet, where did you see her? Why would I need to help her?" Edwin knew he'd frightened Chet,

but the mention of Mary brought back so many memories, memories he'd kept safe. Now, he couldn't let Chet go without finding out where Mary was. He had to admit, he'd never stopped loving her.
 

 

Amazon

Until next time, happy writing. As for me, I'll be combing those old newspapers for the little tidbits that fascinate me so much. Who knows?

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Angela Raines - author: Telling Stories Where Love & History Meet

Books: Angela Raines Books

Website: Angela Raines - author

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

PIONEER - ADELINE HORNBECK

Post by Doris McCraw

writing as Angela Raines

In 1878, Adeline Hornbeck purchased property west of Colorado Springs in what was known as the Florissant Valley. Here the widow, with her four children, carved out a livelihood for themselves. Not only did the property have a well-constructed home, but it had many outbuildings including a milk and chicken house. The home itself was a marvel, the first two-story home in the area when it was completed in 1878. It still stands today and was in use as a home up until the 1960s.

Adeline's journey began with her birth in July of 1833 in Massachusetts. It was there she met and married Simon A. Harker. They had three children, Franklin, Anna, and George. According to the 1860 census the couple were in Creek Nation, Indian Land, Arkansas (Oklahoma) where Simon was an Indian agent, according to one record. By 1861 they moved to the Denver area and filed on 160 acres. Then in 1864, Simon died, he may have been sickly and moved to the area for his health. His death ended up leaving Adeline to fend for herself and the children. Instead of being defeated at the change in circumstances Adeline instead showed her business sense. She purchased 80 acres of the homestead, using a clause in the act, for $100.

Mt. Pisgah, in Colorado south of Florissant Fossil Beds

In September of 1866 she married Elliot Hornbeck. They had a child together, Elliot Jr. But things did not remain calm. Elliot disappeared in 1875. There is speculation he may have been married to another woman back east, or he may have died, no one seems to know. But it seems Adeline was not defeated. She accumulated enough cash to purchase the land in Florrisant Valley. It is from this base that she built her 'empire', although when starting out she worked in the mercantile in the new town of Florrisant.

Hornbeck Homestead

Adeline chose well. Her homestead was on the route to the gold and silver fields in the South Park area. Sitting on one of the tributaries of the South Platte River it had good pasture land, pine trees, and water. She was also an astute businesswoman, active in the community, holding social gatherings at her home and serving on the school board. By the time she paid off her homestead claim, in 1885, the property value was at least five times the price.

Around 1900, at the age of 66, she married 47 year old Frederick Sticksel, an immigrant who came to the U.S. in 1882. Five years later, Adeline passed away at age 71 of  'paralysis'. 

The property where Adeline Warfield Harker Hornbeck Sticksel built her home for herself and children is now part of the Florissant National Fossil Beds and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Adeline is buried in the Four Mile Cemetery, Florissant, Colorado. Adeline was a true pioneer.

In the novel "Chasing a Chance" Mary Gilpin is another woman who made her way in the west. After the death of her husband, she made her living as a mercantile owner. 

Below is a short excerpt:

 "When you're ready, fire away," Stu laughed.

Mary stood inside her store, horrified at the callous disregard the men who'd overrun the town had for anyone. Watching the one they called Stu force the gun into seven-year-old Bobby's hand and demand he shoot brought an anger she hadn't felt for years.

"What if I miss?" young Bobby asked, his hand shaking with the weight of the pistol and possibly fear.

"Well, just keep firing. You'll eventually hit something. You get six tries," Stu laughed, then jumped back when Bobby accidentally turned the gun toward him. "But not me!" he shouted, shoving the gun away and toward Tad, another child who'd been playing with Bobby.

Unable to let the scene continue, Mary could keep quiet no longer. It was bad enough the town was hiding behind their doors, justifiably fearful of these men. But to allow their children to be subjected to the games of these same men was outside enough. She marched out the door of her general store and grabbed the gun from Bobby's hand. She then pointed it at Stu's face, the anger giving her strength to hold the heavy gun, declaring, "Take your games and foolishness somewhere else and leave the children alone."

Perhaps it was the surprise that saved her, for Mary continued, smiling as she sweetly said, the gun still under Stu's nose, "Should I give it a try? Shall I keep shooting until I hit something?"

Purchase on Amazon

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

Books: Angela Raines Books

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

A FASCINATION WITH WOMEN DOCTORS

In both "Josie's Dream" and "Chasing A Chance" I mention women doctors. It is not necessarily the medical aspect I am interested in, although that is fascinating, but the stories of the women and their time in history. So in honor of National Women's History month, I'm sharing my fascination and some research on women doctors.

The medical school, The Keokuk School of Physicians and Surgeons, was a real college. It has also been called the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk. It began in La Porte, Indiana in 1846 before moving to Madison, Wisconsin in 1847 then to Rock Island, Illinois in 1848. The school had a year long session in Davenport, Iowa before its permanent home in Keokuk in 1850. As part of the University of Iowa it was technically co-ed from the beginning.  

Josephine, the Josie of "Josie's Dream", was a graduate of the Keokuk school as was the real life doctor Harriet Leonard of Manitou Springs, Colorado. Dr. Leonard was the proprietor of the Bath house, an unusual position for a woman. Her ad in the July 1878 local paper read: Mrs. H. A. Leonard M.D. ELECTRICIAN. Special attention given to nervous and chronic diseases. Office in the Mineral Bath House, Manitou.  Although many women physicians were homeopaths, the medical treatment of choice during that time, Harriet was an allopath. Dr. Harriet Leonard

The other woman physician mentions is Dr. Alida Avery. Dr. Avery arrived in Colorado in 1874 after leaving Vassar College where she had been on staff for six years. In fact she was one of the early members of that faculty. Much has been written about this early Colorado physician, her work on women's suffrage, and her years at Vassar. Dr. Alida Avery

One of my enduring passions is researching the early Colorado Women Physicians and documenting their lives. When possible, I try to include these women or their stories in my fiction and well as non-fiction writing. So as you read "Josie's Dream" or the mention of Josie in "Chasing A Chance", know that it comes from a place of love and fascination with these early pioneering doctors of Colorado.


Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Member of National League of American Pen Women,

Women Writing the West,

Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Photo and Poem: Click Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

WRITING A SERIES & The Release of "CHASING A CHANCE"

One of the joys of writing a series with other authors is the chance to get to know them. This is true not only for the reader, but the author as well. This latest series, "Lockets and Lace" or  "Lockets & Lace" gave me a chance to connect with authors I'd only heard of, or in some cases, completely new authors. 

Comanche Grasslands near La Junta,CO

We all had a chance to tell the stories that were in our hearts within the framework of a theme. For myself, the story "Chasing A Chance" had been nudging me for some time. The idea of an older couple, who had known each other as children, demanded to be told. When my friends and fellow actors agreed to do the cover shoot, it all fell into place.

The book design was agreed upon and the lovely lady, Evelyne, from Carpe Librum Book Design, turned the photo shoot into the beautiful cover you see here. I will tell you, Mike, the gentleman on the cover posted on facebook: "Always wanted to be like one of those models on the cover of a romance novel. Never thought I'd be one. In my old age, no less..." 





I will share with you a couple of photos that did not make the cover. As you can see, we had a lot of fun. I also need to give credit to my photographer, Nadine Keaney of NKDesign. She's done the photos for the covers of most of my books.

Make sure you head over to the FaceBook launch event, and check out no only my day, but the posts of the other authors in the series. We've each had a day that we've spent with you, letting you get to know us and our work. You can access it here: Book Launch

Now for a short excerpt from "Chasing A Chance":

 The store was in shadow as the sun started over the horizon. Slowly, the light drove the darkness further back. Mary came from her living quarters, feeling rested for the first time in days. She moved to the front, intent on checking for any damage that might have occurred during the night.

A slight breeze blew puffs of dust down the street. Mary enjoyed the early mornings as the sun shone on a new day. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking, but mornings gave her hope. She was surprised to see Edwin coming up the street. A picture of him doing the same thing all those years ago overlay the present. She started to frown, followed quickly by a smile. Edwin had only been in town for two days, and here she was acting like the young girl she’d been before life got in the way.

The ringing of the bell above the door brought a grinning Edwin inside. At the sight of Mary his eyes glowed. "You're just like the picture I've kept in my head of you," he said, reaching to pull her close.

Mary relaxed into the safety Edwin’s arms offered. The years fell away, and she was the young girl who had believed in happy ever after, and the gift of friends. A weight lifted from her heart and mind, if only for a brief time.

Join the Lockets & Lace authors on Facebook for our 

Launch Celebration event. 

There you find information on how you may have a chance to win one of three great prices: a special book locket, a lace handkerchief, or a $40 Amazon gift card.

Please CLICK HERE.

Chasing A Chance is available for $.99 until midnight January 30, 2018 at which time it will then be for sale at $2.99.

You can connect with me at the following places:

Angela Raines on Amazon

Angela Raines on FaceBook

Renawomyn.blogspot.com