The February Experience & Happy Valentine's Day

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

(C) Doris McCraw

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY - 

In the last post, I wrote about what I wanted to experience in 2024 and the joys of research. In this post, I'm sharing some pieces that caught my interest.

Between bouts of snow, there have been some amazing sunny and warm days. It was nothing to go from 20 to 60 in thirty-six hours. On those warm days, I was out when work would allow. One place nearby is the city cemetery. So many stories waiting to be found and told. One such person I've been digging into was Dr.James B. Gisbon. He'd come to the region suffering from tuberculosis of the kidneys.

The main branch of the local library was getting ready to close for renovations, so I spent as much time in the special collections as possible. It helped that I was doing some additional research on early Leadville, Colorado. The Ladies Relief Society worked actively to aid those unable to pay for health care. This was the group that Dr. Mary Helen Barker Bates was active with. I'd written about Dr. Bates in other articles so this information was exciting.

Dr. Mary Helen Barker Bates
from Wikipedia

Finally, I've been researching Social Media to learn all I can. It helps that I work with and can ask questions of my co-workers who do that as part of their job. It's fascinating but so time-consuming.

Of course, I'm working on my next Christmas Quilt book. The characters are taking me for a fun ride.

What experiences have you been enjoying lately?

If you're interested in history or research I am starting a newsletter focusing on that subject. If you wish to sign up, here is a link to that publication: Thoughts and Tips on History

Until Next Time: Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and Stay Happy

Doris

THE OUTLAW'S LETTER - Lockets and Lace #15

Post by Doris McCraw
writing as Angela Raines

I am thrilled "The Outlaw's Letter", the story of Grant and Hetty, is now live and joining the stories of the other authors in the Lockets and Lace series. This story is set in Colorado in 1880, one of my favorite time periods to write about.

Let's take care of the business part first.

One: I am giving away a surpise gift box. I will be picking a winner from those who comment on this post.

Two, As authors, we want to keep sharing our stories with you, but we also need you to share how you feel about what you have read. Please, even an 'I liked this story' on a review helps all of us continue to provide the stories you enjoy. For that we thank you ahead of time. I personally appreciate it so much.

Colorado became a state in 1876, hence the title 'Centennial' State. From 1859 when gold was found near what is now the Denver metro area, Colorado became a place where change, growth and all types of people made this place their home.

There were resort tows, such as Colorado Springs, and wild mountain towns like Leadville and Virginia City in the Tin Cup mining district. Railroads, stage lines, and Indian Trails moved from the plains with cities like Pueblo, Denver and Canon City, to the mountain towns of Georgetown and Leadville, to carry the gold and silver ore to the rest of the world.

Into this mix I placed Grant Davis and Harriett 'Hetty' Osgood. They meet and interact with the mix of outlaws, miners, lawmen and good people, to find their place in life and with each other.

Excerpt: "THE OUTLAW'S LETTER"

     Hetty had been so focused on following Grant, hoping they would soon arrive at the place he spoke about, she didn't realize she was swaying in the saddle. When she realized what was happening, she grabbed the saddle horn in a death grip. Just as she thought she was okay, everything went blurry then black. She fell from Odysseus, cracking her head against a rock.

     Grant heard Hetty's horse stop, glancing back he saw her on the ground. "Blasted woman, why didn't she say something?" he grumbled as he rode back.

     All complaints left him when he saw blood spreading out from the rock under Hetty's head. Grant didn't remember dismounting as he rushed to Hetty's side, feeling for a pulse, and using his kerchief to try and stop the flow of blood, but nothing he did helped.

     "Hetty, Harriet," Grant repeated over and over. Finally he heard a soft moan as Hetty moved her fingers. Letting go a sigh of relief, Grant continued working to revive Hetty. Kneeling on the gravel, Grant didn't notice the pain from the cuts to his knees.

You can purchase "The Outlaw's Letter" HERE 

Print Version :    Print Version Available Here
*** Winner will be chosen Tuesday morning April 9, 2019***

Doris Gardner-McCraw - writing as Angela Raines

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

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

LEADVILLE AND THE SISTERS OF CHARITY

Post by Doris McCraw
writing as Angela Raines

1879 Map of Leadville Colorado
from World Maps Online

By 1880 Leadville, Colorado had grown from a tiny mining community to one of the largest towns in Colorado. This town, at an elevation of 10, 151', was a wild boom town. It saw the likes of Doc Holiday,Wyatt Earp and possibly the James brothers. Margaret Brown, known to the world as Molly Brown was there. It was also the scene of brawls, gunfights and killings. It was a place where many found their fortunes, including the Horace W. Tabor, who divorced his wife Augusta, to marry Elizabeth 'Baby Doe' McCort. 

Into this town, in late 1878, came the Sisters of Charity. They were: Sister Bernard Mary Pendergast, Sister Mary Crescentia Fischer, and Sister Francis Xavier Davey. According to the below article, from the June 3, 1879 issue of the Leadville Daily Evening Chronicle, they traveled through the treacherous winter weather, around Christmas time, through the mountains to care for the sick and build a hospital.

Of course the article alludes to six, but it began with the above three, as far as documentation shows.

In my upcoming novel, "The Outlaw's Letter", my hero, Grant Davis has need of the services provided by these noble and dedicated women.  Make sure to check out his story when the ebook releases on April 6, 2019 on Amazon. You can also pre-order here: The Outlaw's Letter

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

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

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here