St. Patrick's Day and the Irish Contribution to America

Since today is St. Patrick's Day, it seems only fitting to relate back to the Irish, so today I bring you fun facts of the Irish and their contributions to America.

Let's start near the beginning.  Did you know that almost half of Washington's troops in the American Revolution were Irish?  This is due to the fact that during the 1700s, the Irish were the largest immigrant groups coming to America. Another fun note- the first St. Patrick's Day in America was celebrated in 1737.

What do Thomas McClean, Charles Carroll, James Smith, Matthew Thornton, Edward Rutledge, Thomas Lynch, Jr, George Read and John Dunlap have in common?  They all signed the Declaration of Independence and were Irish-Americans.

Henry Ford's father, William Ford, was an Irish immigrant who fled to America during "the great hunger".

Twelve Irish-born men died at the Alamo, the large number of casualties within an ethnic group defending the popular mission which became a symbol of independence. In present day, the Irish flag stands within its wall to honor those lives.

The famous outlaw, Billy the Kid, was of Irish descent.  Legendary lawman, Pat Garrett, the man who shot and killed Billy the Kid, was the grandson of Irish immigrants.

Many US presidents have been of Irish heritage (this number varies anywhere from 10-22 depending on source and metrics), with John F. Kennedy, perhaps being the most famous of them.

Our country was founded on many beliefs and cultures, which adds a certain richness to our heritage. Though much of our history shows a bias against the Irish in the late 1700s-1800s, one only has to look through their accomplishment to see the incredible value they have added to America. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Countdown Begins-A Visual Tour of the Oregon Trail

Today begins our countdown to the Leap Into Love Facebook Party. Only 11 Days to go until you can come and chat with your favorite authors and win prizes.

As I thought of what to share today, the Oregon Trail kept coming to mind. I kept thinking of other topics, but the idea wouldn't go away, so today I'll take you on a visual tour of the Oregon Trail, sharing photos of some of the most recognizable landmarks the emigrants would look for on their countdown to Oregon.

We begin with Independence, MO, the beginning of the trail.

Our next step is Courthouse and Jailhouse Rock, the first landmark the pioneers would come to.

Twelve miles west comes one of the now most famous landmarks, Chimney Rock.

We're counting down and well into our trip. Now we've reached what's present-day Wyoming, and we make a stop at Ft. Laramie, one of the most important forts in the west. Close your eyes and picture it in its heyday, with scores of soldiers, wagons, and pioneers about.

Moving on, we stop at Independence Rock, so called each because wagon train hoped to reach it by July 4th. If they didn't, they knew they were behind.

About this time, many pioneers would need to restock supplies. Ft. Bridger became an important stopping point along the trail.

                                          

Now in Washington, we come to the Whitman Mission. An important piece of history, it was burned down in 1847 by the Cayuse Indians in what's known at the Whitman Massacre. Today in it's location is a national historic site and monument to honor its former presence.

Arrival! After nearly six months or more, the pioneers have made to the lush green land of the the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

Day 11 of Countdown to Leap into Love featuring:

Leah Atwood

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The Heart of Everything that Is- The Fight for the Black Hills

Nestled in the southwest corner of South Dakota, a mountain range rises from the prairie and badlands in a forest of vivid greens and granite peaks. They house a shrine to American democracy, and one of the wild west's most notorious towns. Breathtaking views, mountain streams and glorious falls rushing down canyon walls. 

They are the Black Hills, the Paha Sapa, The Heart of Everything That Is.

Roughlock Falls

The Needle

Long before white men ever encountered the hills, they were a sacred place for the Native Americans. A place not to inhabit, but to seek visions, perform rituals and hold ceremonies.  The birthplace of the Lakota nation. Holy Grounds.

For centuries, the Black Hills belonged to the Native Americans, unseen and untouched my white men. That would all begin to unravel in 1743, and the next two centuries would see a continuous battle for ownership.

In 1743, an expedition consisting of French men, led by Indian scouts, first laid eyes on these sacred mountains. This expedition was the first known account of anyone other than the natives nearing the area. However, they would not step foot in the lands, as their Indian guides refused to take them further.

In 1823, Jedidiah Smith ventured to the Black Hill with 15 other men. During this golden age of trapping, some other men did venture into the hills, but many kept out, respectful of their sacredness.

Spearfish Canyon

As America pushed west, more settlers came to the area. In 1851, the US Government brought together representatives from many of the Plains tribes, including the Cheyenne, Sioux, Arapaho, Hidasta, Arikar, Assiniboine, Crow and Mandan. The result of this council was the first Ft. Laramie Treaty, in which the Sioux were granted sixty million acres of land, including the Black Hills, that could not be settled by white men and in exchange, safe passage through would be allowed. 

By the mid-1860's, rumors of gold began to circulate. Citizens from what is now eastern South Dakota appealed to congress for exploratory and mining expeditions. In 1867, General Sherman denounced these efforts, and said not only would there be no expeditions, the army would not protect any civilians who went in on their own. 

Tensions continued to rise and in 1868 the second Ft. Laramie treated was signed, and is the one to which all current actions refer. In this treaty, Lakota land was reduced to twenty million acres, from the previous sixty. Miners and settlers were once again prohibited from entering without authorization, and in return, raids on nearby homesteads and trains would cease. 

Rainy Day Views

Among ever-rising tensions and further reports of gold, General Custer led an exploratory expedition to decide on the feasibility of establishing a fort. The true intentions are oft debated since he also brought a geologist and miner.  On July 30, 1870, gold was found near the present day town of Custer. With rumors now verified, hopeful men rushed to the hills. By 1876, there were over ten thousand men, where there had been only hundreds in the few years prior.

Despite an attempt to negotiate peace, no agreements could be reached when several leading Chiefs were called to Washington. In 1875, in a decision kept quiet, President Grant declared there would be no more military intervention.  With their sacred lands being trampled, tensions reached a boiling point, leading to the battle of Little Big Horn in 1876, infamously knows as Custer's Last Stand.

Though it was a major victory for Lakota and other tribes, it proved to be the beginning of the end.  In August of 1876, a new treaty was enacted in retaliation for Little Big Horn. This treaty claimed the Black Hills for the US government, and while it was never signed by three-quarters of the Native leaders as required, a few did sign out of threat of starvation.  This would lead to bleak times for the Lakota people.

Today, markers are all that remain on an otherwise serene land to remind of the bloodshed that occurred at the Battle of Litte Big Horn.

The twentieth century saw a series of lawsuits, meant to return this sacred land to the Lakota, culminating in a 1980 Supreme Court Decision that said the Black Hills were illegally seized and the US must pay for the land, amount of gold and natural resources illegally removed, plus interest.

The Lakota have refused this money, as that would end their bid to have the Black Hills returned to their ownership. Currently, the money sits in an account under the Bureau of Indian Affairs, with a sum exceeding one billion dollars.

This is a very brief summary of a very complex issues, but an enlightening part of our history. The Black Hills are a stunning plot of land and within them, an ethereal quality lurks behind the pines and aspens, spruces and birch, under the rocks and in the meadows. When you go, take a moment to find silence. Close your eyes, listen to the quiet, and you might just hear the whistle of an ancient flute. 

Author of the Bestselling Brides of Weatherton Series

What are you thankful for?

The month of November tends to be a month when we reflect on the thing for which we are thankful. Understandable, since Thanksgiving falls in the latter part of the month.  As a child, my dad instilled a tradition in which each person present for Thanksgiving dinner had to tell two things they were thankful for that year before we could eat. The tradition stuck with me, and my husband and I changed it up so that we do this every night before dinner.  It's a fun experience that I highly recommend. Some nights the kids say something silly, and we even had two months straight of our four year old being thankful for a balloon. But then there are the nights when they don't answer right away.  They tilt their little chins and look up, thinking-really thinking- of all they have to be grateful for, and I remember why we go through it every night.

For this post, I thought it would be fun to travel back one-hundred and fifty years, to the year 1865, and drop in on a family on Thanksgiving.  Let's listen as they circle around the table, giving their thanks for the year.

***

1870 Ridleys - Thanksgiving, NY

"Before we eat, let's each say one thing we're thankful for." Frank Billings looked around the table, making eye contact with each person sitting at the table. The year had been difficult, and now more than ever, they needed to focus on their blessings. "Ethel, we'll begin with your since you're the youngest."

"I'm thankful for my Alice in Wonderland book, that Aunt Liz brought me from her trip to England, and that Auntie is home again." Ethel stared at the food on her plate, probably wondering how much she had to eat before she was allowed a slice of pie.

Frank smiled. "That was a lovely gift she brought you. Nellie, your turn."

A dreamy expression rested on Nellie's face. "I'm thankful for The Checkered Game of Life."

Angling his head, Frank looked at his daughter, perplexed that she'd choose a parlor game to be her thankfulness item. Then he remembered what Caroline, his beloved wife, had told him last week. Nellie was now of courting age, and had an interest in John Rutgers. Something told him that when she played the popular game, she dreamt of a life with John.  He should prepare himself for a visit from the young man.

To be young and carefree again.

His gaze skipped over the two empty chairs. He couldn't dwell on the vacancies yet without his heart aching for his sons. "Caroline?"

She didn't answer right away but blinked rapidly. Her delicate throat constricted when she swallowed. "I'm thankful the dreadful war is finally over."

So many words unspoken.  Frank Jr, had been killed in '62.  Seth, their second oldest, was missing, even months after the war ended. They couldn't give up hope.

Frank rubbed his jaw. "We can all agree on that."  He needed to do something to lighten the heavy mood. "I'm thankful for my Stetson hat."

The gift had come as a surprise in the post earlier that week. He still wasn't sure why his brother had sent it, but an accompanying note said,"These are the hats everyone will soon be wearing."

A few chuckles circled the room.

"It looks good on you, Pa."

"As would anything."  Caroline offered him a hesitant smile.

Moments of joy had been so rare the last few years. If only...

The door opened and everyone's head turned.  There, in the opening, stood Seth.

He'd come home. They all had something else to be thankful for now.

***

Did you enjoy your brief travel back in time?

A few notes regarding the "thankfulness" passage.  Alice in Wonderland was first published in England in the summer of 1865, but not in America until November 1865.

The Game of Life was created in 1860 by Milton Bradley. It was originally called The Checkered Game of Life and is considered to be one of the first parlor games.

John Stetson opened his first factory (a rented room) in 1865 with only $100.  Within a year, the "boss of the plains" style would be created.

While Lee's surrender at Appomattox is often synonymous with the end of the Civil War,  President Johnson did not officially sign a declaration to end the war until four months later in August of 1865.  For many soldiers, it would still be months before they saw home again.

One final note- this short narration is not connected to any of my works but is a simple portrayal of a familiar scene from a different time. I hope you enjoyed it and thought about your own things to be thankful for.


Happy Thanksgiving!

Wagons of the West

Have you ever wondered about the various conveyances the pioneers used?  I admit, for the longest time, I never gave it much thought and lumped them all together. But just as we have many makes and models of vehicles today that serve a variety of purposes and functions, so did the wagons of the nineteenth century.  Here is a small sampling of the most popular vehicles, and what made them unique. 

Conestoga- Perhaps one of the most recognizable wagons, these wagons had a large capacity, able to carry up to five tons of cargo. Their bowed construction helped to keep the goods toward the center.  Often, people erroneously mistake these for the wagons used by the pioneers, but the reality was, Conestoga wagons were too heavy for such a trip.

Farm Wagon- Simple and practical, these were widely popular and constructed for durability, not style. They were designed to be sturdy and carry heavy loads for daily use. These wagons typically did not have any form of suspension.

Covered Wagons- Often called prairie schooners, these are what many of the pioneers used as they crossed the American wilderness.  Starting with a farm wagon, five to six round metal frames were added and then covered with a heavy canvas such as duck cloth.

Stagecoach- Another icon of the west, the stagecoach transported people, mail, and gold. It had a suspension system in the form of thick leather straps that absorbed the shock of the bouncing.

Buckboard- These were similar in function to a farm wagon, but crafted differently. The name comes from the board at the front used for a footrest and protection against the horse’s hoof in case of bucking. The seats were attached to flexible board slats that ran from the front to rear axles.  Typically, there were two bench seats, with the rear seat having the option to be removed for more cargo space.

Photo copyrights in order: 1-Public Domain 2-dollarphotoclub.com/snehit 3-dollarphotoclub.com/nanjan 4-dollarphotoclub.com/henryksadura 5-dollarphotoclub/pattiguerrero

The American Bison

Nʉmʉ kuutsu. Hotoa'e. Tatanka. 

Each a native name for what we know as the American Bison.

The Buffalo.

Wild and regal, its story is intricately woven in the folds of American history.  In the early eighteen hundreds, over fifty million head of buffalo roamed North America, providing essential substance for the tribes of the great plains.  By the end of the nineteenth century, after half a century of westward expansion, only an estimated one thousand remained.

Why were buffalo so important to the plains tribes? Without the buffalo, the plains people could not survive. After a hunt, no part of the buffalo went to waste. Fresh meat was cooked, and what couldn't be eaten was dried and made into jerky or pemmican (dried meat, fat, berries and/or seeds). Hides were used for clothing, shelter, bags, saddles and much more. Tails were used as fly swatters and the hair used for ornaments, pillows, halters and ropes. Horns made great cups, powder horns and ladles. Stomachs were often used as cooking bowls (can you imagine??) and other dishes. There were many uses they found for buffalo parts, and I can't begin to touch on them all, but it's absolutely fascinating how this one animal provided them with all they needed.

Because of conservation efforts, and the rise of buffalo as livestock, the majestic animals once again have a spot on the American landscape. Today, there are approximately two hundred thousand bison on private lands, thirty thousand on public land and fifteen thousand considered wild, free-range bison. (International Union for Conservation of Nature). All pictures on this post come from the herd at Custer State Park in South Dakota.

Buffalo Fun Facts:

1) They can weigh up to two thousand pounds.

2) Despite their heft, they can run at an impressive forty miles per hour.

3) They are herbivores that can eat up to sixty pounds of grass and food a day.

4) Their average life expectancy is twelve-twenty years, but they can live up to thirty years.

5) Though we widely refer to American bison as buffalo, true buffalo only live in Asia and Africa.