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Journal Notes

August 20, 2008
While reading through the transcripts of Buffalo Bill Cody's divorce records I found an interesting quote from his wife. "I still love my husband just as I always did," she told the press. "We were always happy until he went into show business, and met other people - other women. I always hoped he would settle down with me someday at our home in North Platte." I find it interesting that she could make such a statement after accusing him of a variety of vile acts. What was it about him that she loved? She was an extremely jealous woman. She was most particularly jealous of his sisters. Her drive to destroy him for not making her his whole world is reminiscent of Gene Tierney's character in the movie Leave Her to Heaven. Leave Her to Heaven is a chilling film. If I hadn't have seen with my own eyes the length some people will go to possess another human being and/or bring them down in the process, the movie would not have scared me so. It's on to chapter seven now.

 

August 18, 2008
I’ve been digging through mounds of paperwork from Buffalo Bill Cody’s divorce hearing. His wife accused him of a variety of horrible things, most of which were not true. Some of the accusation were so heinous that had they been made in this day and age, Cody would have been jailed. The subject matter is all too familiar to me and I thought about my brother, Rick. Just as those same old demons threatened to rear their ugly head and pull me down to the depths of sadness again I heard a song that snapped me out of it. Like a voice from heaven the lyrics of the song “Held” by Natalie Grant pricked my soul. “This hand is bitterness. We want to taste it and let the hatred numb our sorrows. The wise hand opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow. This is what it means to be held, how it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life and you survive. This is what it is to be loved and to know that the promise was that when everything fell we’d be held.” When everything falls we are held by a Creator who cares deeply for His children. I’ve been thinking about that song and the message within all day as I worked on chapter six of Cody’s story. It’s made a difference.

 

August 15, 2008
Sometimes there’s noting really exciting on the writing front to report. I’ve just been working on Chapter 6 of the Buffalo Bill book since I returned from Cody. I feel bad for Bill. I’ve been reading over the transcripts from his divorce proceeding and his wife was a shrew. He tried to get out of the marriage a number of times, but the divorce wasn’t granted. The judge did not find any grounds for the marriage to be dissolved. Times sure have changed. The Codys were married for more than 38 years and were never really happy with one another. I feel for Louisa Cody too. Just like Buffalo Bill, my first husband thought monogamy was a type of wood. Louisa didn’t want to let Bill go, but she didn’t want anyone else to have him either. That's a miserable place to be. I received the latest edition of True West magazine today. The full page ad featuring the cover of the book on frontier teachers is on page 72. It turned out well. I hope it brings more visitors to the website and readers to the bookstores.

 

August 12, 2008
I need to spend some time today working on promotions for the frontier schoolmarm book due out next month, the Thunder Over the Prairie book and the annual Christmas in Bethlehem program, but I am having a hard time tearing myself away from all the historical information I picked up at the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum. I've been reviewing testimony from Buffalo Bill's valet about a woman named Bessie Isabelle who he had seen on more than one occasion in Cody's hotel rooms across the country. It's amazing how much private life is made public. Although, I think Cody wouldn't have minded the sorted details being brought to the forefront of thought if it meant increased ticket sales to the Wild West Show. I was eating lunch at a great Mexican restaurant in Cody and trying not to feel sorry for myself because I was dining alone, when I got to thinking about all the times I had meals with my grandparents when I was a girl. And with a certain pristine rush many wonderful childhood memories flooded into consciousness. I took out a pad of paper and started jotting down what was running through my mind. It's the smell of freshly mowed grass, fried chicken and Avon's Occur bath powder. It's the distant sound of a marching band, meal-time conversation and my grandmother loudly sipping her ice tea. It's the anticipation of a high school football game and selecting just the right something to wear in case just the right someone sees you. It's dust from a plowed field and a cold bite in the air to remind you that winter will be again. It's popcorn, funnel cakes and tightly swirled ice cream cones. It's crawling into your summer pajamas and curling up on the couch next to your grandmother, while your grandfather sits in his chair under a pole of ridiculous round lights, reading a newspaper. It's laying your head in your grandmother's lap and then falling asleep in the middle of the Johnny Carson Show. It's comfort and home, infatuation and youth. You return for that moment, that memory, that hope. What you see with 14 year-old eyes cannot be recaptured with 47 year-old vision. It's lost, but remembered. Longed for, but never realized again. Still you go back on the off chance you can catch a glimpse of what was and savor the experience as children rarely can.

 

August 10, 2008
The Buffalo Bill Historical Museum was naturally rich with information about Bill Cody. I was able to go through documents that had rarely been viewed. I read letters written to Cody from Elizabeth Custer, (the actual letters, not a photocopies) examined numerous transcripts of his highly publicized divorce, and studied hundreds letters the famed scout penned to his sister. Cody was very close to his sister Julia. He confided in her and she adored him. I couldn't help but be reminded of my own brother, Rick. Cody, Wyoming was a wonderful place to visit. It's beautiful and wild. Some of the nicest folks I encountered were the hundreds of Harley Davidson riders that were staying in the scenic area. The staff at the museum were some of the most accommodating people I've ever worked with. They are anxious to help anyone who walks in with research questions. While en route to my various destinations (I was in Helena, Montana before I went on to Wyoming) I read a book entitled The Shack. I thought it was exceptional. I hadn't read a book that stirred my soul like this one since Hannah Hunards' Hinds Feet on High Places. I particularly keyed into the section on forgiveness. The lead character in the book has been grieving for years over the loss of his daughter. Again, I couldn't help but be reminded of my brother, Rick. The main character in The Shack has a conversation with God about the notion of forgiving and tells him that forgiveness is first for you, the forgiver, to release you from something that will eat you alive; that will destroy your joy and your ability to love fully and openly. The Lord asks him if he thought the protagonist in the book "cared about the pain and torment they had caused?" "If anything," the Lord tells him, "they feed on that knowledge. Don't you want to cut that off? And in doing so, you'll release them from a burden that they carry whether they know it or not -acknowledges it or not." When I finished reading the book I was willing to really ask God to help me to forgive the people who harmed my family and I. I've only given it lip service to this point. Forgiveness does not excuse the false accusations made against my brother. I think the last thing the people who made the false claims are is free. According to the web service tracking program I subscribe to they continue to search my site - so no, they aren't free. But neither am I until I truly forgive. I have no duty to justice in this matter. God will handle it.

 

August 1, 2008
I'm a huge fan of Doris Day. I've seen all of her movies two and three times. I've sent her copies of my books as they have been released with a note of appreciation for her contribution to the film business. When one of my first books came out I received a card from Ms. Day wishing me well. I had the card framed and it's in my office now. Wednesday evening I watched one her movies entitled Romance on the High Seas. What fun! I checked my email later that same night and was thrilled to read an email Ms. Day had sent. Dear Ms. Enss, Doris does not have a computer -- so she asked me to send you this e-mail to let you know that she appreciates the books you sent and she's looking forward to reading them because they remind her of "Calamity Jane." Many thanks! Sincerely, Judy Ruby for Doris Day. Wednesday was a good day! I'm off to Wyoming on Monday and I'm taking my portable DVD player with me and a handful of Doris Day movies.

 

July 30, 2008
There have been times when I've considered my devotion to my brothers to be a bit unusual. I continue to grieve over my brother Rick and worry all the time about Scott and Corey. Both are grown men, one is the director of 911 services in the Ray County, Missouri area and the other is in the Navy. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for them. Buffalo Bill Cody's sister felt the same way about him. The book I've been writing about his life would not be complete without touching on the relationship he had with his sisters. His older sisters, Julia and middle sister, Helen both wrote books about him. They were proud of him and helped manage his ranch and hotel. His little sisters, May and Eliza were equally dedicated to him. Cody made sure they were taken care of too. He had homes built for them and supported them monetarily. When it became clear that their brother had married badly and wanted a divorce, all of Cody's sister championed him in court and to the press. I have a great picture of Buffalo Bill flanked on either side by his sisters. It's an endearing photograph. His sister did everything they could to keep their brother from being physically or emotionally harmed, but were unsuccessful. If only they'd been able to convince him that the woman he was marrying was a shrew. But just like my brother Rick, Cody wouldn't have listened. Helen Cody said of her brother, "We regarded him as a superior being&it seemed so fit and proper that the promise of the stars concerning his future should be fulfilled that never for a moment did we weaken in our belief that great things were in store for our brother." I admire the Cody sisters loyalty to their brother. Maybe what I feel for my brothers isn't that unusual after all.

 

July 28, 2008
At one time I had hoped to get the okay to write a biography about Mary Jo Kopechne. The story of her life and untimely death fascinated me and I wanted to write about all the wonderful things she managed to do in her short time on earth. It seems that most only know about her accident with Senator Ted Kenedy, but she was much more than that. I've included a bit of the sample chapter in my notes today. Let me know if it catches your interest. If the response if favorable I might be able to convince my publisher to give me another shot at the manuscript. "I guess those girls just aren't going to talk. It would ease the heartache so much if they would give some answers." Mrs. Joseph Kopechne - September 26, 1969. A determined diver dressed in full scuba gear carefully lifted a bent, stiff body with gritted teeth and clawed hands out of a murky pond. A company of police officers, fireman and medical examiners all wearing doleful expressions watched as the lifeless figure was placed on a white tarp stretched out on the ground. Few spoke as a cursory examination of the twenty-eight year-old woman laying before them begun. The process took only ten minutes. It was 9:30 a.m. on July 19, 1969, and most of the residents at Chappaquiddick Island had no idea their tiny community had played host to a tragedy. News that a car had plummeted off Dike Bridge claiming a life in the process had not reached them yet. From the standpoint of Massachusetts law enforcement this meant there would be no curious crowds to control or usher away from the wreckage. They were free to investigate the scene without distraction. Doctor Donald Mills, Associate County Medical Examiner, squeezed his fat hand into a pair of surgical gloves and stared down at the woman's face. "This is Mary Jo Kopechne, gentlemen," he announced in a business like manner. "Looks like she fought hard to stay alive," he added. In Doctor Millss initial inspection of the body he noted that Mary Jo was wearing a blouse, a bra and slacks, but no panties. "Maybe she forgot them," he offered to no one in particular. With mortician Eugene Frieh and his assistant, David Guay, looking on, Doctor Mills loosened the front of Mary Jo's blouse and pressed his stethoscope over her chest and abdomen. The physician inspected the body for ten minutes then turned to the examiners on either side of him and confessed, "This is the most drowned person I've ever seen &any light pressure on the chest wall&water would simply pour out of the nose and mouth." The mortician nodded, "We need to be sure, though," he insisted. Doctor Mills stood up, his hand on his chin. He squinted into the sunlight as he pondered the comment. At that moment a black Oldsmobile arrived at the scene and stopped next to an awaiting ambulance. Senator Ted Kennedy, dressed in a neatly pressed pair of trousers and a white shirt, emerged from the back of the vehicle. His attorneys climbed out after him, flanking him on either side.

 

July 24, 2008
Rarely have I had a better time at a book signing than I did at the event in Redding. The audience was attentive and respectful. They were fun and asked some great questions after the presentation. I can't wait to go back. The highlight of the evening was when a reader walked up to me and told me that she had read the journal entries on my site and would be praying for me and my family. I heard from another reader in Arizona the following day who had read the journal entries as well. She emailed me and shared the hurt she experienced over her daughter's incarceration and was looking forward to reading The Deadliest Accusation. Such encouragement I believe is from God because at times I feel like I'm just holding on by a thread to get to the next day. I received the final quote about Thunder Over the Prairie from Dakota and Sunny Livesay at Chronicles of the Old West. Here's what they had to say&. "Lawmen, cowboys, songbirds and soiled doves&it doesn't get much better. A shooting, a chase and a trial whose verdict changes all of their lives. Thunder Over the Prairie is a great story from the history of our American West, warts and all." I'm just waiting for a couple more photos to arrive and then I can turn the posse manuscript into the publisher. It's very exciting.

 

July 21, 2008
The response from an article in the Grass Valley Union newspaper about the book A Beautiful Mine was overwhelming. Many people signed up to be on the mailing list for my newsletter and all of the interested parties got a free copy of the book. I was pleasantly surprised. I'm off tomorrow to do a book signing event in Redding, California. I'll be close to beautiful Shasta Mountain so I'll probably take a drive there before the lecture. I hope to have all the finishing touches made on Thunder Over the Prairie this week. I'm waiting for the rest of the photographs for the book to come in and a few more permission useage forms to be returned. After that, it's good to go. I'm happy with the book and the changes that were made as a result of the early reviews. I don't know if I'd have been able to get through those necessary revisions if not for Sunny and Dakota Livesay and Jim Sherer. They are good people and I'm glad I know them. The title for the book about my brother was decided on today. It will be called "The Deadliest Accusation." I think it's a good, solid title.

 

July 17, 2008
The book I've been working on about my brother has allowed me to connect with a variety of interesting people. Many of those have lost a loved one in the Federal Prison system. Some of them have loved ones inside that have been falsely accused. It's comforting to talk to people who know the hurt and sadness you're experiencing. No matter how much you talk about it or cry over it with them nothing erases the image of the one you hold dear being repeatedly raped and beaten beyond recognition. I wish it did. There's a common bond, but nothing makes it hurt less. Not even if I were able to write the most stirring novel ever, compose the most touching symphony heard, or paint a picture that would move all who looked upon it. Nothing, nothing diminishes the grief in your heart. You just go on living by faith that God knows ALL.

 

July 14, 2008
I miss my brother and think about him everyday. My sincere prayer is that when the book I've written about him and the circumstances surrounding him being taken from us is told that lives will be changed. Prior to penning the tome I only wanted to get back at the two people who brought this on. I realize now that it won't change anything as far as they're concerned. I hope it helps the next group of people who find themselves in similiar situations where false allegations rob them of a son and a brother. I'm working on chapter six in the Buffalo Bill Cody saga. I'm looking forward to being in Cody, Wyoming in August to do more research on the subject. Think I'll rent a car and take a drive through Yellowstone. I finished writing the western film treatment for AMC. I'll work on the rewrite this afternoon and this evening turn my attention to promotions for the book Frontier Teachers: Stories of Heroic Women of the Old West. The book is being released in September. I was encouraged by the quote I received from Jay O'Connell for Thunder Over the Prairie. It's going to go on the back cover of the book. I can't wait to share it though so here it is. "Thunder Over the Prairie, written with cinematic clarity and a galloping pace, is a wonderful primer for the considerable literature on Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp et. al. This accessible narrative of a fascinating episode in the careers of these well-known western icons is filled with characters that are archetypal yet utterly fresh at the same time. This charming books is the perfect read for anyone over a drink (or two) in a dusty western saloon on a lazy afternoon." I've got a couple more copies of A Beautiful Mine: Women Prospectors of the Old West for anyone who writes and let's me know they'd like to give it a read. Drop me an email.

 

July 9, 2008
Part of the process of completing a manuscript is soliciting quotes from other authors or industry professionals. The quotes can be used for the back jacket of the book or the inside cover, etc.. In the past few years I've been able to get quotes from some great people such as Kim Dickens, who starred as Jonie Stubbs on HBOs Deadwood, Dusty Rogers, Roy Rogers and Dale Evan's son, and producer Rob Word. Most of the people I have asked to supply a quote have been very kind, but none more so than the author Jay O'Connell. Mr. O'Connell wrote a book entitled The Train Robber's Daughter. The book is a biography of the life of Eva Evans, the daughter of one of California's most notorious outlaws, Chris Evans. Jay has one of the largest collections of material on the crime team of Chris Evans and John Sontag. I didn't know that when I was writing the book Outlaw Tales of California or I certainly would have looked him up. One of the chapters in Outlaw Tales is about Chris Evans and John Sontag. When Outlaw Tales came out Jay sent me an email congratulating me on the book and told me about The Train Robber's Daughter. I wrote him back and asked him to give me a quote for Thunder Over the Prairie. He kindly agreed. He agreed even though he wasn't too thrilled about Outlaw Tales and the fact that I didn't contact him when I was writing the book for information about the men. Like I said, if I'd known about his background I would have done just that. His response to Thunder Over the Prairie was positive and I look forward to his quote. Jay O'Connell demonstrated a level of decency I have rarely ever seen in the writing business. I respect and admire him for that. The Train Robber's Daughter is a good book and I look forward to more work by him.

 

July 3, 2008
In the last five years I've learned more about how cruel people can be than any of the 47 years I've been around. Most of what I've learned about depraved behavior I learned at the hand of a young woman that used to call me "Aunt." It would be nice to get past the hurt and lies, but I don't think there is any chance of that happening. Somehow I feel if I let the hurt go entirely I would be forgetting the brother I lost and I can't do that. Maybe the people who caused this pain can go on like he didn't exist, but I can't. I may not write about him everyday, but he is always in my heart. I wish he could be at the launch for the posse book, which has now been rescheduled to June 6th , 2009 in Dodge City. The publication date for Thunder Over the Prairie was set for September of next year, but according to my editor it's in good shape and ready to go to press. I did get the forword from Jim Sherer, former Mayor of Dodge City, yesterday. He had a lot of nice things to say about the work and I'm grateful. There is a blessing with having had experience with truly ugly people and that is that the truly decent individuals I've known stand out all the more. Without the cruel I've known it I wouldn't recognize the kindness in someone like Jim Sherer, or the sweetness in my little adopted niece Breanna Sanders, or the beauty of a special friend long since gone like Edna Kirsten. From that respect I'm thankful I've gone through what I have. It improved my vision when I wasn't even looking.

 

June 30, 2008
And there goes June.... It's been a busy year. I finished the sample chapter for the spy book, made revisions to the posse book, completed a rough promotional schedule for Thunder Over the Prairie, and am getting ready to submit most of the material needed for the children's book. Jim Sherer, the former mayor of Dodge City is working with me on setting up the launch party for Thunder. The launch is scheduled for October 3, 2009 at the Dodge City Public Library. Invitations will go out to politicians and local history lovers, the press will be invited...it's going to be fun. I'm going to cram everything I know about marketing into this title. I really want the book to do well. The publishing industry as a whole is suffering along with the rest of the economy and this might be the last time I get a chance to do something this grand again. Not that it matters much given what I do for a living, but I have the worst case of laryngitis I've ever had. It's very quiet in my home office. The smoke in Northern California is bad right now and I think that's what brought this on. I haven't spent as much time as I wanted to working on the Buffalo Bill Cody book. I make up a schedule for my daily work and I'm supposed to be completing two pages a day on that project. I'm three pages behind. I think I'm going to blame that on the layngitis. How can I write when I can't read aloud what I put down on paper? A Beautiful Mine comes out tomorrow. I received my copies today. I've never received the finished book this early. It's a refreashing change. I'll be sending copies of the book out to everyone who emailed and asked for a complimentary copy. I've got a few remaining for anyone else that signs up for the newsletter and emails telling me they'd like an advanced copy of their own. Let me know.

 

June 25, 2008
Home again. Like many before it over the last four years, the trip to Missouri was a particularly sad one in many respects. My grandmother's home and household possessions were auctioned off. It was daunting to see my grandparents life reduced to four plywood tables and a few bits of furniture scattered about a garage. At the end of a two hour period most of all they owned had been sold off. As I watched their things being hauled away I realized that with those things went a lifetime of memories, both good and bad. My grandfather's passing at 85 was a natural happening. His health had been failing for some years. My grandmother struggles with many health issues as well. Someday in the not too distant future she'll go too. A natural happening. No surprise. The loss of my brother continues to be the opposite however and being back in Norborne I was flooded with more memories of him. It disturbs me that the maladjusted thing that falsely accused my brother and the other members of the cult church she and her disfunctional lot are a part of continue to contact my family. Now it's being done through a site called Facebook. Like I've mentioned in previous posts, these were individuals who told the lawyers and court that they wanted nothing to do with us and had the FBI visit my mother to emphasize that. What a troubled, evil bunch. The book signing at Barnes and Noble was a joy. There were more than a few sales made and I got a chance to reunite with cousins I hadn't seen in years at the event. Marla and Merrillyn were warm and engaging, funny and kind. I was so grateful that they came to visit and look forward to getting to know them better. They were endearing because there wasn't an ouce of pretentiousness about them. It was refreshing. I hope to wrap up the sample chapter of the spy book in the next couple of weeks. I've got major revisions to do on the posse book and I need to write the film treatment for it as well. I'll get back to the Buffalo Bill book too and set my sights on establishing a marketing plan with the publisher for the book about my brother. No signings now until July 7th. I'm off to write.

 

June 16, 2008
The associate editor that worked on the book A Beautiful Mine sent me an advanced copy last week. I think it's a pretty book and will be a nice addition to the collection. The story of women prospectors of the Old West hasn't been explored much so I'm glad Globe gave me a chance to write about the subject. The book was dedicated to Patti Ferree. She is a wonderful woman who runs a business in Nevada County and has been nothing but kind, especially with regards to my brother. She befriended him, wrote him long letters, and lifted his spirits. Just as I believe there is evil that I've personally known, I believe there are angels I've come in contact with. Patti is one of those angels. I can only imagine how much better my brother's life would have been if he had married someone like Patti. I have free copies of A Beautiful Mine to give away to anyone who emails me and asks to be on the mailing list. Next to be released, Frontier Teachers: Schoolmarms of the Old West. I'm off to a signing this evening in Placer County. I'm looking forward to the drive through the historic countryside. I'm excited to send copies of A Beautiful Mine out so let me know via email if you'd like to give it a read.

 

June 11, 2008
I've been missing my brother a lot today and thinking about the heartache my parents continue to go through. I don't think any of this will ever really be over. I did have a bit of bright spot however. The following letter was emailed to me about the books. It was good news and after I've shared so much of the bad that has happened because of a deceptive mother and her daughter, I thought I'd include this... Dear Chris, We sincerely thank you for your commitment to preserving the history of the American West and for especially, the most entertaining way you have shared that history in each of your titles. Also, we wish to thank you for your powerful example as a writer and professional to our community. Your success and the success of your books has been an encouragement to many of our own authors and writers. As a small independent bookstore, we've been selling your titles for several months and have been very pleased at the public response. It may be useful for you to know that in the last six months we've sold an average of four of your titles per week. This makes you the best-selling author at Amicus Books, even above and beyond Echart Tolle. We've found that your books have a wide demographic appeal and would encourage any retailer west of the Continental Divide to make room for the smokin' pen of Chris Enss. Sincerely, James and Kara Davis Founders/Directors Amicus Books and Literary Arts Center Marysville, CA .

 

June 9, 2008
Now that the posse book is completed I am moving on to the next writing assignment. Howard Kazanjian and I are working on a book about a German born spy who fell in love with a Jewish woman who was being held at a labor camp. He took great risks to get her out of the prison. Based on a true story, the event took place in 1944 and is an incredible tale. I've never written a war book before so this journey should prove to be interesting. I continue to work on the book about the life and loves of Buffalo Bill Cody. I can't leave the subject of the Old West totally. I'll be heading to Missouri next week again. In addition to the book signing I'm doing at Barnes and Noble in Independce, I want to be home for my grandmother. Her home and household items are being auctioned off so she can continue to pay for her care at the nursing facility. I have wonderful memories of spending time at my grandmother's home. It's sad that it all has to go.

 

June 6, 2008
The short subject comedy entitled An Ounce Short is now available for viewing in its entirety. I hope visitors to the site like the mockumentary. I had a ball working on it and the talent who contributed to the project are exceptional people. I'll be posting sections of Thunder Over the Prairie on the site next week. Howard and I got the first bit of feedback on the book and it was favorable. I've got my fingers crossed that all the reviews will be the same.

 

June 4, 2008
The last couple of days I've been working on the Buffalo Bill Cody book. The book is about his life and loves. One of the many women in his life was Annie Oakley. They were not romantically involved. They were more like brother and sister. The had a mutual respect for one another and both were stars of the Wild West Show. The only rival she had for Cody's attention in the program was Lillian Smith. She was known as the "champion rifle shot of the world." Annie was a better performer and the 15 year-old Smith did everything to try and get Buffalo Bill's attention. She was a flirt and not afraid to use her sexuality to get what she wanted. Cody didn't fall for her act. If they were alive today and he spurned her advancments, the outcome might have been different. I find it interesting that this theme keeps reoccuring in my life. I'll be traveling to Placer County tomorrow to speak to a historical society there. Hope the event is well attended. I'm anxiously awaiting input on the posse book and pray that the reviews are good.

 

June 2, 2008
I traveled to Marysville Saturday to speak with authors at Amicus Books about marketing. Authors don't generally consider marketing a part of the writing process. I know I didn't when I first started out, but I've come to learn that you have to be proactive with your title and promote the materail yourself. A publisher will only do so much. They talk was enouraging and meeting other authors was invigorating. Amicus Books is a unique bookstore that celebrates authors and works with them to get their books published. Whether you're an author or a customer, Kara and James, who own the business, will make you feel like the most special person on earth. They are wonderful people! I'm working on the Buffalo Bill now as well as the fascinating biography about a German born spy. I hope I do the tale justice. I receive hundreds of emails a day from men and women falsely accused of sexual misconduct by their own teenagers. I hope the book I've written on the subject will generate still more letters. There are so many people who have suffered needlessly. The following is part of one of the letters sent to me. Not only are people suffering, but they are rightfully scared for their lives now. "I feel just like you do about warning people to be careful. On the way to the library today we saw our neighbors across the street and a lot of young kids were out in the yard. My husband and I both don't even look their way. Times sure have changed from when I was growing up and Gramps, next door, would take us little ones to the park. My Dad was a coal miner and the neighborhood kids would line up to kiss him good-bye. Imagine doing that now? Sorry how life has changed and not all for the good either."

 

May 29, 2008
This day has been spent organizing all the photos and art work for the posse book. I don't know if I have a photograph to go with each chapter. The publisher may run them all together in center of the book. The photos are spectacular, especially the one of Wyatt Earp. There is so much going on behind his eyes. It's a rage I think many people identify with. I sent the various copies of Thunder Over the Prairie out to my editor, agent, and all the people that are going to be offering a quote for the back jacket of the book. I sent the manuscript out praying that it gets good reviews. It's one of the hardest parts of the job. Wednesday night Bible study was fun. There weren't many kids there though. They were out with end of school year events. When I left the building I saw one of the male teachers helping his neighbor's 8 year-old girl into his truck. The girl's mother had asked him to give her a ride to church. I was instantly scared for the man. I told him that he should never be alone with any little girl. He was stunned because he never even thought about the consequences. Never thought she might make an ugle accusation. I think about that kind of thing all the time now and feel strongly about warning people. All it takes is one evil, horror of a human being who wants attention to ruin your life. The devil has many disguises. I've got the description of a couple of those disguises tatooed on my brain now. Looking at Wyatt Earp's photo, I'd say he does too.

 

May 27, 2008
Yesterday was Memorial Day and I couldn't help but think about my nephew, Corey. Corey is a sailor on his way to Iraq and I'm extremely proud of him. I'm equally proud of my grandfather, father, and brother for their service to the country. My grandfather served in World War II, my father was in Vietnam, and my brother, Rick served in Desert Storm. I'm grateful to the men and women who fought for the American way. One of my many prayers is that Corey comes home safely, along with the other soldiers in dangerous locations. The posse book will go out to the editor this week. I'm pleased with the way it turned out and am anxious to see it in print. Thunder Over the Prairie will be released in October 2009 - 131 years after the posse set off to catch Dora Hand's killer. The book about my brother should be coming out not long after that.

 

May 22, 2008
Finished chapter 10 of the posse book today! I was given a word count of 40,000 and am currently at 36,000 and I have yet to write the introduction and bibliography. The mayor of Dodge City is writing the forward and hopefully I'll have some great quotes to use from other western authors. In the book I used one of Wyatt Earps' quotes about the way he dealt with the true criminals in this world. It reminded me all over again that many of the real offenders are not behind bars, but walking among us masquerading as wives, students, and health care workers. "I'm not ashamed of anything I ever did," Wyatt said in 1927. "Were it to be done over again, I would do exactly as I did at the time. If the outlaws and their friends and allies imagined that they could intimidate or exterminate the Earps by a process of assassination, and then hide behind alibis and the technicalities of the law, they simply missed their guess." I'd liked the way Wyatt handled the people who came after his family.

 

May 19, 2008
Review of Chris Ensss Hearts West: True Stories of Mail-Order Brides on the Frontier, paperback, The Globe Pequot Press, 2005, 114 pages, ISBN: 076272756X Cite as: Nick J. Sciullo, Review of Chris Ensss Hearts West: True Stories of Mail-Order Brides on the Frontier, Spring Board Journal, Volume 1, Number 1, Fall 2005. A provocative look at an overlooked area of history. This work is enticing because it functions not only as a historical investigation, but as a jump off point for gender studies criticism. Enss provides an intimate description, much like an oral historian might provide, of the trials and tribulations of womyn in the West. The book reads well and is a product of not only an excellent researcher, but an excellent story teller. There are pictures of mail order brides and ads used to purchase them. Each chapter discusses a couple and reveals romance, hope, and fear. The book reads like a diary. Each chapter is a personal account, vivid and intimate. With writing this clear and genuine its a wonder more people are not jumping on the historical bandwagon. It is this type of history that brings the people back to the events, epochs, and criticism. History often needs a personal touch and perhaps this is why social history is on the rise. When folks talk about history they need to talk with the people that made the history. Hearts West comes as close to a first-person narrative as humynly possible. Works like this bring the world to life and reinvigorate historical inquiry and interest. Perfect for students of the West and those interested in feminist theory and historyHearts West is a welcome addition to the bookshelf. Nick J. Sciullo (University of Richmond, 2003; West Virginia University College of Law, 2006)

 

May 19, 2008
It was a productive weekend. The signing for the new 2 disc DVD for The Big Trail went well. I enjoy working with the people at Barnes & Noble. They know their business and treat visiting authors well. The patrons who stopped by to pick up a copy of The Big Trail were generous and kind. I met one man who was a Vietnam vet who couldn't say enough good things about John Wayne and his movies. I wish I could report that the Roy Rogers/Dale Evans film was moving in the right direction, but I can't. It looks like the cast that had been selected for the roles will have to be replaced with actors who are a bit more enthusiastic to play the parts. It's unfortunate. I've been working on this project for years and it seems every step forward has been met with five steps back. I guess it will all come together one day. Roy and Dale were such wonderful people and it's a shame that studio heads won't green light the film so real offers can be made. In addition to working on the last chapter of the posse book and chapter four of the Buffalo Bill book, I've been meeting with politicians to talk about the tragic situation that cost my brother his life. I spoke with Senators Aanestad and McClintock about Rick and the prevalence of false accusations of abuse leveled by disgruntled teenagers. I'm going to raise the level of awareness about the events in my brother's life and those of other such people if it kills me. I won't let him or others who have suffered through the same nightmare be forgotten.

 

May 15, 2008
I've had a rough couple of days, but things turned around a bit after I received an email from one of the readers of How The West Was Worn. Thank you Mr. Warshaw, for your much appreciated comments. It lifted my spirits more than you know. Here's what he had to say. "I finished How the West was Worn yesterday. You've done it again! That book is totally fascinating. Reading about what the people wore back then, from hats to footwear to perfume, gave such a better insight into what life was like back in the Old West. One really never gives much thought to that until you described how people dressed by necessity rather than by style, and how it created a style of its own. I had always wondered whether cowboys' pants were supposed to be tucked into the boots or worn over the boots, because in the movies and on TV you see both. Your book explained that it depended on where the cowboy lived or was from. I also never considered how much of a woman's time was spent making or mending clothes. Between that and cooking and child care, a woman back then really had no spare time at all as if living in the frontier didn't make life difficult enough!" All it takes is a kind word. Now of days they are few and far between.

 

May 13, 2008
Thought I'd post this review from New Mexico Magazine about The Lady Was A Gambler. It was my pleasure to write about these unique ladies. THE LADY WAS A GAMBLER: True Stories of Notorious Women of the Old West by Chris Enss TwoDot/Globe Pequot Press, www.GlobePequot.com, 160 pages, paper, $12.95 The Lady Was a Gambler document women who engaged in professions outside the box for their time. The Lady Was a Gambler takes as its subjects 13 women gamblers, including Belle Star; Martha Jane Canary, better known as Calamity Jane; and Eleanora Dumont, a stunningly beautiful and demure young woman whose meteoric rise included owning a highly successful blackjack parlor in Nevada City, California. A wealthy woman, Dumont unwisely married a scamp,lost everything, and returned to dealing blackjack in mining camps before her demise in Bodie, California. Another character was Mary Hamlin, a lucky poker player and bunko artist who pulled off several big scores: In 1869, the sale of shipping rights to the Mississippi River to a group of French investors, a scam akin to selling the Brooklyn Bridge, netted her more than a quarter-million dollars; and in a diamond hoax a few years later, frequently referred to as the West"s Greatest hoax, she and accomplices salted a claim with bogus diamonds, sapphires, and opals, and secured $1 million for it from a wealthy San Francisco banker before leaving town. Hamlin seems to have been one of the few women who lived on the edge and spent most of her life in luxury. Also included in The Lady Was a Gambler is the legendary Gertrudes Barcelo (circa 18001852), aka Dona Tules, a well-known monte dealer and operator of gambling saloons and entertainment houses in Santa Fe, of which there were many, beginning about 1833. Enss's efforts whet the appetite for more information about these compelling women, whose lives were hardly the norm for women of the West.

 

May 12, 2008
Fox Films will rerelease John Wayne's first film, The Big Trail on a special DVD set this week. I got a few advanced copies and was impressed with the work Cloverland Productions did on the special features disc. I was happy to be a part of the production. It turned out well. I have a couple of copies to give away and will send them out to readers if they write and let me know who they are. I received an email from a cowboy poet named T. Michael McClure. He kindly sent me a poem he'd written about Abraham Lincoln and it's very good. Keep an eye out for his work and thank you, Mr. McClure for letting me read your poem. I'll be at Barnes and Noble in Citrus Heights this Saturday signing copies of the John Wayne DVD and the book The Young Duke. I look forward to meeting many of you there.

 

May 10, 2008
My plans to travel to Cody and work on researching the Buffalo Bill book I'm writing had to be set aside this week. My dad had to have triple by-pass surgery. I'm grateful that he did so well and am happy to report that he is home recovering. I did get a chance to work on researching the book about the number of parents who have been falsely accused of sexually abusing their teenagers. It breaks my heart to meet so many people who have suffered from this and to know that Child Protective Services does such a poor job. My dad received visits from many people in the small Missouri town where he lives. Each one of them praised my brother who was falsely accused and shared stories of his kindness towards them and their famililes during various crisis. It's good to know he made a difference and that many people cannot and will not believe my brother was guilty of anything. They know the other parties involved and shared that many consider them to be "evil human beings who the community at large view try to avoid at all cost." That information will enhance the volume I'm writing and spur me on toward the ultimate goal. My brother had value and I miss him still.

 

April 29, 2008
Over the last few years there have been many heartaches that have interfered with my daily writing schedule. Today it's that same old heartache brought on by bitterness and the inability to completely forgive. I emailed the associate pastor of my church a week ago to share with him the struggle I continue to have with forgiveness. He was kind and sympathetic and assured me that many people battle with forgiveness. I believe that to be true and believe that God is patient with me, but I wish I could be through with it now. I think it's because I have to revisit the situation with my brother having been falsely accused that keeps my heart hardened. My family has paid a high price for those false accusations and my dad is the most recent one to succumb to the stress. He's been a strong man and suffered through a variety of cruel people who have refused to either take care of my parents dog or sell them a car because they say my family are "nothing but pedophiles." The loss of my brother has been hard on him and his heart is hurting. He'll be going to the doctor on Thursday and might have to be hospitalized at that point. The anger I feel toward the people who ultimately helped bring this about is overwhelming. There is no going on with your life as it once was after such an experience. It's hard to live in a world where absolute horrors of human beings continued to breathe. As I write about Wyatt Earp I realize he felt the same way. He knew he couldn't go on until evil was made to pay. A part of me envies Earp. The even bigger part of me that loves the Lord shudders at the thought and constantly reminds me of how much I've been forgiven. I'm holding on tight to that truth.

 

April 28, 2008
The book signing this past week for How the West Was Worn was a success and I'd like to share the success with those who visit my website. Visitors who email me and tell me what interests them most about women of the Old West will receive a free copy of the book. I'm including a review of the book from a reader named Mark Keehnel to give you an idea of what others like about the material. Mark writes, "This book contains a great deal of helpful information for anyone wanting to know the clothing styles worn during the frontier period in the old west, whether for research purposes or just for the fun of it." Drop me a line and I'll send you a book. I was in Arizona the last few days. It was hot, but a joy to visit. My desk was piled with work when I got back, but that's to be expected. I've spent the day working on making sure all my sources are noted on the posse book. I've used numerous primary and secondary sources to gather the information needed to write the book. It's been a pleasure. Look for a copy of How the West Was Worn for all those who send an email. I believe you'll enjoy the book!

 

April 23, 2008
The fashion show based on the book How the West Was Worn was held today. The Nevada County Newcomer's Club sponsored the event and it was well received. My sweet friends Patti, Brandy, Mary, and Conni, modeled the Old West garments and they looked wonderful. Petticoats and hoop skirts never looked so good. I'm headed to Arizona tomorrow. I'll be doing a few signings and research for the book I'm writing about false accusations of child abuse. I'm going to be interviewing a couple who have lived through the horror of such lies and have quite a testimony. I trust it will be an encouraging talk.

 

April 21, 2008
Chapter nine of the posse book is done! I've been paying special attention to note the primary and secondary sources I've used to write the tome. Many hisotirans don't agree about what happened at times. Authors argue about what book is more accurate and what nonfiction book is nothing but fiction. I have reviewed five books on Wyatt Earp and each author states that the other books on the subject are inaccurate. Some of the author's have stated that the newspaper accounts of the time were wrong too. It leaves you scratching your head and wondering what version of the story you can trust. I learned from the previous volumes I've written to reference information better and that aspect of writing has been very time consuming, but very necessary. No matter how hard I try, however, I suspect someone will have a different take on the events around Dora Hand's murder. I work with a very talented graphic artist that will be assiting me with the maps for the book. Jeff Galpin and his wife Melissa did the illustration for the children's book I wrote and with their combined talent I'm sure the maps and diagrams for the posse book will be equally as spectacular. I attend church with the Galpins and they have two of the cutest boys. Both of whom have played Jesus in the Christmas program. I have sort of adopted the boys as my nephews. It's good to have people in your life you can count on and I'm grateful for my church family as a whole because of that. Now, on to chapter ten.

 

April 17, 2008
I like to listen to talk radio during the day when I take a periodic break from writing. I find it interested that today the talk show hosts are up in arms about the raid on the church grounds in Texas. They're criticizing the government for storming the compound and taking the more than 400 children that lived there into custody. The action was prompted by a sixteen year old girl who called authorities claiming to be abused. A girl now no one can find and the mothers at the compound state they don't know. The talk show hosts are outraged that there was nothing more required than a single allegation for the government to raid the church compound and take the children. I'm not surprised at all. I know from personal experience that entire lives can be lost and ruined by a single allegation. There doesn't have to be any proof. No evidence. A single allegation and that's all it takes. And we should all be afraid. Very afraid. I finished chapter nine of the posse book today. It's an exciting story and I can't wait to see it in print. Bill Tilghman was indeed the finest of the posse members.

 

April 14, 2008
Most days pass with nothing remarkable happening. I spend my days working on a couple of books and a few magazine articles. I make travel plans and prepare for the next lecture and out of town signing, but on the whole, nothing truly remarkable happens. I think I expected this line of work to be more like the life Joan Wilder lived in Romancing the Stone. Id complete a book and turn it into my editor, who happens to be my best friend. Shed read the work and be moved to tears and Id go off on an exotic adventure. Thats what I thought the life of a writer would be like. I like what I do, but I cant help thinking if I were living and writing from Spain like Hemingway did, maybe something remarkable would happen. I did get a call from the California Teachers Association about the schoolmarms book thats coming out in September. They wanted to know the title of the book and the release date. That was encouraging news, but not remarkable. Im not quite sure what I would deem remarkable and maybe thats the problem. Maybe an invitation to talk about the books on Oprahs show, and opportunity to write from a private beach house in Bora Bora&Im just not sure. I think most people spend their days simply doing their jobs and looking forward to the next station in life. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this job, or any job for that matter, is that you have a chance to do it at all. Id like to feel content in that knowledge and think I could&from a private beach house in Bora Bora.

 

April 10, 2008
Writing chapter nine of the posse book has been slow going this week, but I think that's because there's so much information it's hard to condense it into 3,000 words. Wyatt, Bat, Charlie, and Bill arrested James Kenedy for the murder of Dora Hand, but Kenedy was not convicted for the crime. In spite of his suspicious behavior and the confession he made to the lawmen, the judge determined that there wasn't enough evidence to hold him over for trial. All the lawmen were affected by the decision and it changed their opinion of law and order. According to Wyatt he was "soured on the law" after that. Out of the four men only one decided to make being a law enforcement officer a lifetime career. It's easy to see how corruption and politics have taken over the justice system today, but I guess it's always been the case more or less. H.L. Mencken defines a court of law as a "place where Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot would be equals, with the betting odds in favour of Judas." I think Wyatt Earp would have agreed with that. I know I do.

 

April 7, 2008
Saturdays book signing event at Barnes & Noble in Roseville was very well attended. I always meet a lot of wonderful people at the stores. I am pleased that I'll be signing books in Independence in June. Independence, Missouri is rich with history. It was the starting off point for hundreds of pioneers heading west. I've been working on chapter three of the book about the loves of Buffalo Bill Cody. This chapter focuses on the way he met his wife, their wedding, and their first home. Cody was so complimentary of his wife when they first wed, but 20 years later he referred to her as being "off balance." Of course he failed to mention the numerous affairs he had that contributed to her fragile mental state. It's time now to write a few more pages for chapter nine of the posse book. I'll be in Dodge City if anybody needs me.

 

April 3, 2008
I get a lot of telemarketer calls. I'm sure everyone does. I don't usually answer the phone if the caller I-D reads Unknown or Private. After the third telemarketer call yesterday I decided to answer the phone and give the person on the other end a piece of my mind. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Clint Black on the other end. He phoned to talk about the Roy Rogers Dale Evans movie. The project has received a much needed boost now and I'm grateful. There are rewrites that need to be done to the script, but there's hope for a future production. I guess I need to start answering the phone regardless of what the caller I-D reads. I teach Bible Studies on Wednesday evenings and I had a great group of 2,3,4 & 5 year old kids last night. I always enjoy working with them. They like to give out hugs, but I remain hesitant to return the favor all the time. I know what some kids and a vindictive parent can and will accuse a person of and it scares me. I won't change a baby's diaper or take a child to the bathroom. I let some other teacher do it because of what I know can be said. I know certain teenagers who are capable of such accusation. Doing the research for the book on this subject I've met a lot of parents who have found themselves on the wrong end of their teenager's unfounded accusations. There are troubled, evil teenagers who film themselves shooting up a school, beating dogs, and defacing property. Those same kinds of human beings accuse innocent people of doing heinous things and get away with it. The only recourse is to highlight the actions in print and in the media. Nothing will ever make me feel truly at ease again around kids of any age. That's gone. Shame on the person I used to hold dear for taking that from me.

 

April 1, 2008
Like most people around the Northern California area where I live, I've been struggling with a flu virus that has hung on now for more than a week. I did a radio interview yesterday and two lectures and my voice was low and raspy. I'm grateful for the people who tolerated the stories about women in history filtered through a voice that sounded a lot like Darth Vadar's. Research continues on the Buffalo Bill Cody story and I'm writing chapter nine of the posse tale. Dont know if anything is going to be happening with the Roy Rogers movie anytime soon, but I live with the hope that it will be greenlit in the near future. I've been contemplating doing a documentary about the cowboy duo. There hasn't been a definitive project like that done and I think fans would like to see it. Not to mention the fact that it would give me an opportunity to spend time writing about two people who always kept their eyes on the Lord no matter the circumstances. I'd like to be that kind of person. I continue to be overwhelmed with bitterness at times. Just when I think I'm past it - there it is again. I continue to miss my brother and don't know if I'll ever get over that.

 

March 25, 2008
It would be so wonderful to get this Roy Rogers Dale Evans film project up and running. There have been so many false starts and stops. As it currently stands Clint Black and Lisa Hartman-Black are set to portray the singing/acting duo. I think it is a good fit. I've been on the phone with their agents and managers trying to set up a time when we can meet and discuss packaging the script. I'm just waiting for the people in charge to finish reading the material. At times it seems like such a far off dream and you want to give up. I won't though. I'm finishing up chapter one of the Buffalo Bill Cody book today. He was an interesting character. His wife catches him kissing a handful of actresses and he is stunned to find out that she is upset by the display. He wrote in his memoirs, "I do not think most wives would have felt a little angry to know and hear her husband in an adjoining room on Sunday morning, drinking beer and kissing theatrical girls of his company. I think they would have been rather proud of a husband who had six or seven months work with a party of people who were in his employ, to know and feel that they were on a kindly footing&. Not one of them got up and kissed papa goodbye, but all four of them rushed up and kissed papa, their old manager, goodbye&." I don't Bill was being very realistic. I am amazed at the number of women who threw themselves at him knowing he was married. They didn't really care about that. They simply wanted the fame and monetary benefits that came from being with Cody. It ultimately led to the demise of his marriage. A famous playwright once wrote that "Being a husband is a whole-time job. That is why so many husbands fail. They cannot give their entire attention to it." I believe that was Cody's problem exactly.

 

March 21, 2008
Thank you to all the people who emailed me and asked about the new book. Copies have gone out to the first five book lovers who expressed an interest in reading Outlaw Tales of California and I hope their time spent poring over stories about some of the Old West's bad guys is educational and entertaining. The next book, A Beautiful Mine: Women Miners of the Old West, is set to be released in July. I've been asked to speak at a prospectors conference to discuss the brave ladies that dared to sink their gold pans into the rivers and streams in places like Nome, Alaska and Tombstone, Arizona. It was a hard life for a man and an even more difficult way of life for a woman. It was all worth it once they discovered gold however. I placed an ad for the new books in the April/May edition of True West magazine. The edition centers around books that transport readers back in time to the wild days of the Old West. True West magazine is one of the best such publications out there. Second only to Chronicles of the Old West. Both are essential reading for anyone who wants to know more about the rugged frontier. I finished chapter eight of the posse book and am off now to start chapter nine. Charlie, Wyatt, Bat, and Bill have just brought James Kenedy into Dodge to stand trial for killing Dora Hand. The story doesn't end the way Bill Tilghman hoped it would, but Wyatt Earp was right about the unjust outcome. Wyatt had learned the same lesson I was forced to learn this past year that the color of justice is green.

 

March 17, 2008
Outlaw Tales of California is in bookstores everywhere today. The subject matter was incredibly interesting to research and I hope that the title does well for Globe. It is part of a series of books about outlaws from a variety of western states. I made plans to travel to Cody, Wyoming in May to complete the research for the Buffalo Bill Cody book I'm working on. Cody is a wonderful place and I look forward to going back. The last time I was there I was doing reseach for the Buffalo Gals book and got to go through some of Annie Oakley's personal letters. The focus of the new book is the various love affairs Cody had while married to Louisa. It promises to be very entertaining. In the past when I had a new book come out I would give away a copy to the first five people who signed my guest book. I know longer have a guest book, but I do have email. You will find my email address in the contact section of this website. I'd like to give away five copies of Outlaw Tales to anyone who writes and ask for one. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

March 16, 2008
The book signing I participated in yesterday at the Placer County courthouse in Auburn was well attended. I met many nice people and some of them even brought their own historical artifacts along. One kind woman brought an autographed photo of the famed child actress Lotta Crabtree and a pair of Lotta's earrings. I'm always hoping that I'll come across a treasure like that. I'd like to be one of those lucky people who finds a rare photograph of Wild Bill Hickock hidden behind a velvet painting of dogs playing poker. The closest thing I thing I have to a real historic artifact is an old bottle with a piece of the Donner cabin inside that dates back to 1846. I keep it in my Bobby Sherman lunchbox. If the piece of the cabin has no significant value I'm sure the Bobby Sherman lunch will be worth a fortune someday. And I keep that on a dresser underneath my velvet painting of dogs playing poker.

 

March 10, 2008
I don't think I'll ever be able to get past the decisions I made concerning my brother. I shouldn't have succumbed to threats and then asked him to take a plea. In doing the research about cases similar to my brother's I've found a number of broken people who have had to live through the turmoil of false allegations of sexual abuse. Brad Mavis of Lee Summit, MO served 5 years of a 50 year sentence after he was falsely convicted of sexually molesting his step-daughter. His conviction was overturned in 2005, and he was acquitted at re-trial. After further review it was learned that The Lee Summit police detective who initially investigated the allegation was having an affair with Mavis's then wife and framed Mavis on false charges to get rid of him. Mavis's ex-wife subsequently married the detective and Brad Mavis is suing both of them. In Texas, a 12 year-old girl accused her adopted father of sexually assaulting her. He phone CPS about the allegation and was arrested. Over the next two years his wife was also charged. The couple lost their business, their home and their two biological children. A jury found the father not guilty of the sexual assault charges and ruled that the girl had made the allegations up because she felt she was not getting enough attention from her parents. In Brooklyn, New York a school custodian was accused of stockpiling child pornography and of being a child rapist. The two teenagers who accused the man of the heinous crime wanted to find a way to become famous. The custodian was found not guilty, but the man is now too scared to go out of his front door, he can't sleep, he can't wipe away the nightmare of being arrested, jailed, and wrongly accused. For Michael Lenvens of Orlando, Florida the nightmare began in August of 2004 when his youngest daughter accused him of molesting her, a charge Lenvens absolutely and unequivocally denied. His first trial ended in a hung jury. Lenvens was convicted at his second trial in 2005, a conviction that the Fifth District Court of Appeals concluded rested on claims that Lenvens had a prior conviction of assault. (It was later found that it was another Michaels Lenvens that was charged for assault. How familiar this all sounds.) When the Court of Appeals reversed Lenvens' conviction, the Orange County judge continued to refuse to allow Lenvens' release from prison. Lenvens, who is awaiting his third trial on the same charges stated, "I am 54 years old and must have been sleeping all those years not to realize that the trial courts and the prosecutors in this country are so corrupt only looking for the conviction and not the truth. The people of this country need to be told about the state of affairs in the judicial system in this country. Until this happened to me I thought that this country was a very good country to live in. The people of this country need to vote to change the system back to what our founding fathers wanted. Without the knowledge of the broken system though people will not know to make the changes."

 

March 6, 2008
I guess you never forget your first love. You relish in the anticipation of when you will see them next and imagine what you'll say or do. It's a glorious sickness. I never would have thought someone like Buffalo Bill Cody would have remembered his first love, but he did. I've been writing a book about his life and loves and have learned that the first girl to capture his attention was Mary Hyatt. They were 12 and although she liked Bill she was mostly interested in another boy in their class. Bill grew up to turn the heads of many a young women, but always looked back with fondness on the one who first captured his fancy. I'll be speaking at the Nevada County library this evening. It should be fun. Maybe I'll get a chance to talk about Cody and his life and loves and spur the attendees to remember their first heart-throb. I know I'll never forget mine.

 

March 4, 2008
I've never enjoyed writing about a subject as much as the posse story I've been working on. The heart of tale is about the pursuit of justice and atonement for a horrible wrong. Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, and Charlie Bassett would sooner yield to frontier style justice and shoot the man who killed Dora Hand on the spot, but Bill Tilghman insisted that the law must be upheld and the murderer brought be brought to trial. Dora Hand's killer is devastated when he learns the bullet he intended for the Mayor of Dodge City found its way to Dora. At one point in his arrest he pleads for forgiveness. Bat responds with a comment I've been pondering for days. "How do you forgive the devil?" He asks rhetorically. The enemy disguises itself in many ways. He can be an outlaw, a lawyer, a neighbor, even someone you used to call family. How do you forgive the devil? I don't think men like Bat and Wyatt ever learned how. Maybe that's because their brothers had been taken from them. Bill did not have the same point of reference that the other lawmen had. He was the cooler head that prevailed. He was the voice of reason that held the others back when the devil changed his tune and insisted he was justified. We all need a voice like that when the enemy cries out that hes the victim. Until next time...I'm off with the posse.

 

February 26, 2008
The book signing at Barnes & Noble in Citrus Heights was a real pleasure. There were many people waiting to get a copy of the John Wayne biography and hear stories about the women of the Old West containted in some of the other titles. It's a treat to meet such avid readers. Some of them have wonderful stories about their ancestors that traveled here during the Gold Rush. They are so excited about their heritage and their connection with the history of westward expansion. Mike Troyan is the manager of the store and a wonderful author in his own right. He penned a book about Greer Garson and is working on a tome about MGM. All in all it was a nice day. I haven't had too many of those in the last few years so I cherish them all the more when they come around. Thanks to all the good people who attended the event. You were all a delight.

 

February 22, 2008
Buffalo Bill Cody was one of the most famous characters in the Old West. By the time he was eleven he had ridden shotgun on a freight wagon and killed a man trying to attack the teamsters pushing supplies to Utah. Articles were written about him, fame was eminent. He was a household name when he met Louisa Frederici, the woman who would become his wife. One of the books I'm working on is about their marriage and the numerous affairs he had. He was a striking looking man and women threw themselves at him. Louisa was jealous, and rightly so, but didn't not want to give Cody up. She made his life miserable and his three sisters resented her for it. Cody's sisters were dedicated to their brother and would have done anything to protect his name and position. They couldn't stand Louisa and believed the biggest mistake Cody ever made was marrying her. I didn't expect the story of Louisa and Buffalo Bill to resonate with me personally, but that's the thing about writing. You find something to identify with in every tale you venture into.

 

February 21, 2008
I'm dressed in my Old West garb and ready to hit the road to speak at a book store about marketing books and promotions. I'm looking forward to the program, but am heart broken for my brother Scott and his wife, Linda. Linda lost her son this past week and both she and Scott are suffering over the loss. The funeral is today and I pray they will find comfort in the loved ones that surround them. I feel particularly blessed to have a sister-in-law like Linda. I wish my brother had met her a long time ago and further wish my brother, Rick had been as lucky to have had someone like her in his life. Statistics show that 90% of your happiness is derived from the person you marry. Scott is living that statitic out. If I'd been a better sister I would have made sure Rick would have had a chance to meet someone as wonderful as Linda.

 

February 19, 2008
The least stressful part about working on the Roy Rogers Dale Evans movie project has been dealing with Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black. Not only are they the best choice for the roles of Roy and Dale, but they are kind, humble people. I had the pleasure of going back stage at Clint's concert this past weekend. We spoke briefly about Roy and Dale's story and about the television series he's doing with CBS in the coming weeks. Both he and his wife are very talented and it's going to be a real pleasure to make a movie with them. I'll be speaking to a group of aspiring writers this week at Amicus Books. We'll be discussing the business end of writing and reviewing the publicity campaign for both of the Roy Rogers/Dale Evans books. It's always great to be at Amicus Books. The folks that run the store are quality individuals and a joy to be with. Their store is beautiful as well.

 

February 18, 2008
I have decided, along with my attorney, to elliminate the guest book portion of the website starting today. There are certain people who want to use my site as a forum for their own personal agenda. I received the first such guest book addition in Decemember and assumed the evil ones who were writing would move on, but alas they did not. I have not told any real specifics about my brother. The law doesn't care about specifics or truth and can put a person in jail for a long time for doing nothing. I suspect the nameless individual that has been posting to this site is working every angle available to her to have me locked up. For now, I hold on tightly to the recantation letter written to me by the person who accused my brother of rape. I hold on tightly to a medical exam that shows an intact hymen. I've interviewed hundreds of men and women falsely accused of heinous acts against their children. One particular gentlemen was accused of such abuse by his young teenager daughter because she wanted pierced ears and didn't think she should have to pay for the proceedure herself. There was no solid proof of the allegation and the man in the case is home now. The teenager in question was convinced that nothing really bad would happen to her father if convicted. Her mother, who wanted full custody of the girl, told her that her father would only had have to be gone "two weekends out of the month." Some people can live only when the spotlight is on them. That's the case with many teenagers who are making such accusations. The book I'm writing on this subject matter dives into this serious wave of actions in depth and sites many examples. The person who used my site as their own personal forum this weekend suggested I should feel shame for not believing the evil things said about a brother whom I know to be good. There are two sides to this story and I reject statements made by a person I always knew to be less than honest. I have numerous letters from the "less than honest individual" that paint an entirely different picture of the situation. I saw how easy it was to take care of my brother with no hard evidence and half truths told. I will live every day with the regret of telling my brother to take a plea. I was afraid of the system and now I know it was with good right. I do not want myself or my family exposed to the people who did that to my brother and are obviously looking to do the same to my mother, father, husband, brother, and nephew. I don't feel any pride in the continual battle I am in over my unforgiving spirit and have made that clear in previous posts. However, I am proud of the fact that I will never have to be in the same immediate orbit as those who can do what they've done and have no remorse. It wouldn't be safe for anyone else I love to be around them. If I do away with the guest book the individuals who feel as though I have no right to my sadness and loss will have to find another place to spew their hatred and continue telling people lies. Earthly justice is corrupt. God will sort this matter out according to the truth. That's it for me on this subject on this post. Everything else that can be said can be purchased in a bookstore near you very soon.

 

February 18, 2008
To those folks who read my daily journals.... Please forgive the vile allegations of people who continue to add their thoughts to my guest book. My brother was a good man and was wrongly accused. I find it interesting for people who have moved on that they even read my journal at all. I guess if they were so righteous they'd get their own website. I will continue to voice my thoughts on my grief regardless of the few who don't like it. In the past, guests who visited the guest book signed their names and left their email addresses. I noticed that the coward who blasted me for not embracing a liar refused to do that. But that's what cowards do. I will be seeking legal recourse against the people who have spewed their falsehoods on my website. They told the authorities that they want nothing to do with my family had the police make that clear to my mother. Again, it seems odd if that were their true feelings they would leave us alone. Hopefully, the lawyers can handle this now.

 

February 13, 2008
Valentine's Day is fast approaching and some of the Old West romances I've been able to write about come to mind. One of the sweetest romantic stories (told in the book 'Love Untamed') was the romance between Frank Butler and Annie Oakley. The couple performed their sharpshooting acts together. Butler soon realized it was his wife the crowds were coming to see, and not him. Ultimately, he stepped aside and put Annie front and center. It was a generous sacrifice and one that continues to move me. They had been married for 52 years when Oakley died in 1926. Frank Butler was so overcome with grief that he stopped eating and died 17 days later. We know about Annie Oakley's accomplishment, but we seldom ever hear about what Frank did. Another fascinating tale, this one less romantic, appears in the book Hearts West. Eleanor Berry wrote to the Matrimonial News to find a husband and struck up a correspondence with a gentleman who asked her to marry him. So she traveled to the Nevada County area. No sooner did she get here when her stagecoach was held up by masked bandits, who demanded that everybody throw down everything they owned. She was frantic. She was on her way to get married and had her trousseau with her. She pleaded with the robbers, 'Please let me keep these things.' The leader said OK. Eleanor proceeded to the home where the ceremony would take place. There, she met her future sister-in-law, who took her into the back bedroom and helped her prepare for the wedding. When the organist started to play, Eleanor came out and met the man she'd been corresponding with for so long. The moment he began to speak, though, there was something familiar about him. Then she realized he was the man who had just held her up.

 

February 8, 2008
I've been spending the last few days with either Buffalo Bill Cody or the men from the most intrepid posse in the Old West. I'm including in this post a few paragraphs from chapter seven of the posse book. I'm excited to tell the story of the men who successful brought in Dora Hand's killer. The ending of the tale is as compelling as the chase itself. A cold morning broke in rose and gold colors over the vast Cimarron grassland. James Kenedy tumbled out of his rocky bed tucked under a long, narrow mesa and abruptly rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He hauled his weary frame to a depression in the earth, turned his back to the frigid, biting wind, and began relieving himself. His tired horse meandered behind him, alternating between gnawing on dried brush and drinking from deep puddles made by the rain that had assaulted the region. James finished his business and dragged himself to the saddle and bit he'd removed from his mount the night before. The horse gave the outlaw a disapproving look as he approached him with the harness. Dried lather from profuse sweating beaded across the animals backside and his unshod hooves were tender and chipped. The idea of riding on wasn't anymore appealing to James than his horse, but it was necessary. The downpour from the previous evening had no doubt raised the level of the river further, but James was hopeful that the water had crested and would begin receding by late afternoon. If that happened the ford would be passable and James and the cowboys he was sure his father had sent after him, could make it across. No matter what trouble James had ever managed to get himself into he knew there was sanctuary in Texas. His father had recently purchased Laureles Ranch, a one hundred thirty-one thousand acre spread 20 miles from Corpus Christi, and had hired a team of ranch hands to fence in the property. Miflin Kenedy planned to build up his herds, raise a better quality of livestock, and isolate his rebellious son from persistent police or vengeful gunslingers. For a brief moment in time Miflin believed his spoiled boy had a future with the Texas Rangers. In November 1875, James joined a company whose main objective was to reduce the raids on cattle ranches by Mexican bandits. His knowledge of the wild territory made him a valuable asset to the troops, but his term of duty lasted only five months. In April 1876, he voluntarily left the Rangers earning a mere $59.72 for his time served. Law and order was not in James's nature. He thrived on misdeeds and violent confrontations with competing ranchers outside of the Texas Panhandle. He relished indulgencies of every kind and came and went at his sweet will. He could not conceive of a single circumstance where he would not be rescued from the consequences of his vicious actions. In fact, he counted on it. With no regard for the promise his race horse once possessed, he cinched the saddle tightly on the animal's back, sunk his boots into the stirrup, and threw himself on the ride. With staggering self assurance James led the horse away from the scant hideout onto the plains.

 

February 4, 2008
There doesn't seem to be a great deal of forgiveness practiced in the area of the Old West I've been writing about as of late. Neither Bat Masterson or Wyatt Earp decided to simply forgive the people who killed their brothers. They did away with them. I don't know how they felt afterwards. I'd like to know if they felt satisfied. I think it would ultimately rip your soul to pieces. I struggle with forgiveness though. I want to look beyond those individuals who have severed relationships and shredded unity. I know that I've been forgiven of much and that I should be forgiving. I know. And just when I think I could try there is another call from an attorney and the nightmare starts all over again. The pain is still there. The confusion over what to do and who to talk to never leaves. I wish there was someone I could turn to take care of this situation with my brother once and for all. I don't believe the pain ever left Wyatt and Bat no matter what they did. Their brothers were still gone. An eye for an eye offered no real peace. I believe forgiveness would do that. If I only knew how.

 

January 31, 2008
Snow and heavy rain have kept me tied to my office now for four days. I've got to venture out soon to do more research on Buffalo Bill Cody. I am working on a book about his life and loves and need more information about his home in Nebraska. He was married for more than 50 years to Louisa Frederici. They had a rocky marriage and it's been interesting to learn why the relationship was strained. Cody was larger than life and Louisa couldn't compete with his drive to conquer the wild frontier. He was rarely home. She wanted his attention and love so much she purchased a "love" potion from a gypsy. She slipped it into his tea and it made him very ill. When he filed for divorce he noted the incident to the court and claimed that she tried to poison him. Oh, the acts of a desperate woman.

 

January 28, 2008
Wyatt Earp. I thought I knew just about everything there was to know about him until today. I've been working on a chapter in my posse book about Wyatt and learned that he was a fine boxer. More often than not, Wyatt was able to subdue outlaws without ever pulling his gun. He was naturally good with his fists and having observed fighters in numerous boxing matches, had become a cunning pugilist in his own right. Bat Masterson claimed that Wyatt "never, at any time in his career, resorted to the pistol excepting in cases where such a course was absolutely necessary. Wyatt could scrap with his fist, and had often taken all the fight out of bad men, as they were called, with no other weapons than those provided by nature." Wish I knew how to take "all the fight out of a bad man." I'd do it and possibly find some peace.

 

January 25, 2008
The last permission form needed to complete the schoolmarm book came in today and I can finally send the manuscript off to the publisher. I've walked away from the experience writing this book with a great deal more respect for teachers than I did have. It's a tough job and when it's done well has a lasting, positive impact on a student. I finished chapter six of the posse book today and think I became even more enamored with Bill Tilghman. He was tough and had a love for the law and seeing true justic served. His wife Zoe wrote an amazing biography about him. She was quite the author in her own right. She wrote several books and I bet when Bill returned home from a long ride had great stories for her to draw from. I think a book about her life would make a good read. Maybe I'm just looking for a reason to spend more time with Mr. Tilghman.

 

January 21, 2008
I've been spending the last few days with Wyatt Earp. He was part of the posse that went looking for Dora Hand's murderer and iatrical to the story I'm working on about the manhunt. So much has been written about him it's hard to find a fresh approach to the material. He was a fearless man and very good with his fists. I didn't realize that until I started my research. He seldom if ever went for his gun first. He preferred to physically beat his opponent down. He spent a great deal of time at saloons and railroad worker camps watching boxing matches and picked up tips that aided him in his pugilistic endeavors. I suppose a man like Earp is just born a soldier of sorts. I don't know how it was that at the age of 22 he was so unafraid to confront the worst sort of man. His yes meant yes and his no meant no. I admire his strength of character and the fact that he stood up for his brothers in times of trial. My yeses are cheap and I can't go to the extent to stand up for my brothers like he did. I'd lose my very soul in the trying.

 

January 16, 2008
The article in today's Sacramento Bee generated a great deal of interest in the books. I'm pleased that so many people want to read about women's contributions to the Old West. I got a call from Christina Richter, the Community Relations Manager at Barnes & Noble in Roseville, this afternoon. She wanted me to know that folks had been into the store and were asking about the titles. Fortunately they had a few books on hand. In the seven years I've been traveling around promoting the titles I've never met anyone at any of the bookstores more accomodating and generous as Christina. She likes authors and wants them to do well. That attitude contibutes to the success of that particular store and does wonders for an author. She's a joy to work with. Most of the books I've written are at Barnes and Noble and can also be found at the Placer County Museum Gift Shop in Auburn. I'll be at both locations for signings in February and March and I'm looking forward to it.

 

January 14, 2008
It's always good to hear from readers who like the books you've worked on. Writing is such a solitary profession and you never know if anyone has given the material a look. It's amazing how much encouragement a postive remark about the books gives you. I'm grateful. I spent part of Friday with a reporter from the Sacramento Bee. Al Pierleoni was kind and asked a number of thoughtful questions. The article is to appear in the Wednesday, January 16 edition of the paper. These are all very positive things, but I still miss my brother and would do anything to get beyond that darkness. Any day now...

 

January 11, 2008
I've been finishing up the book about schoolmarms of the Old West and remembering the truly inspirational teachers I've known. I was in Germany during my eigth grade year and enjoyed all the art classes I had with Mrs. Lucille Ramsey. She was smart and well dressed and had done away with the traditional desks and chairs and replaced them with pillows and stools. It was the mid-70s and she was very progressive. She was an encourager too. No matter what outlandish art project students worked on she praised us for our effort. That's what I remember best about Mrs. Ramsey. She made you think you had potential just in your trying and it made you want to try harder.

 

January 8, 2008
I've been working on the final chapter for the book about schoolmarms of the Old West and was impacted by the affection Bethenia Owens-Adair had for her teacher. She was 12 years old when she entered his class in 1852 and terribly upset when he left to teach in another location. The following is a piece from the chapter. "Bethenia blinked away more tears. Mr. Beaufort took her hand in his and led her out the door. The two walked down the dusty roadway to the gate and continued on for a bit without saying a word. Finally, Mr. Beaufort stopped and bent down next to the faithful student. "Now little one," he kindly said, "you must go back. You are a nice little girl, and some day you will make a fine woman, but you must remember and study your book hard, and when you get to be a woman everybody will love you, and don't forget your first teacher, will you?" Mr. Beaufort scooped Bethenia into his arms, kissed her cheek, sat her down in the direction of her home, and went on his way. Bethenia hurried back to the house where she found a quiet spot to cry over the loss of the teacher she so worshipped." If I had never experienced the effects of a vindictive teenager I would look upon the above as wholly innocent. But one person has changed the way I see such tales forever. All I could think of as I wrote about Mr. Beaufort was how afraid he should be. He was being kind, but a depraved person would see it differently. They would twist his actions to fit their own devious plan. And in this day and age Mr. Beaufort would be in prison for life...because all it takes is one false claim, one awful allegation. No proof. Just a claim...just an allegation.

 

January 4, 2008
A major storm is brewing outside and the wind is gusting violently. I'm pleased to be safe inside my office writing about the Old West. The men in the posse I'm writing about were stuck in this kind of weather for a couple of days. The conditions beyond my window help me to imagine what Wyatt, Bill, Bat, and Jim were up against. I received an email from Lisa Rea. She is the president and founder of The Justice and Reconciliation Project. She's a dedicated woman with a heart for God and a great desire for hurting hearts to be mended. She emailed me the story of a man who had been in prison for 26 years. He was accused of raping a young woman and DNA testing recently revealed that he didn't do it. It turns out the woman, who was a teenager at the time, had been having sex with her boyfriend and was afraid to admit that. She accused an innocent man of a vile act and the circumstantial evidence along with her false statements brought about a conviction. It's tragic and all too familiar. The FBI has announced that they are looking into more than one thousand such claims young girls made like this. Any woman who makes such claims and is determined later to have lied should be jailed along with the overzealous prosecutors. There ought to be a law....

 

January 1, 2008
It's a new year and my prayer is that I can redirect much of the sadness and bitterness that I still feel into something positive. I enjoy reading about such sports greats as Vince Lombardi and George Allen. I covet their attitude. Lombardi said, "It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up." And George Allen said, "The big thing is not what happens to us in in life, but what we do about what happens to us." I'm going to make that my focus this year. I have a children's book coming out in September of this year and half of the proceeds are going to go to Prison Fellowship Ministries. In some small way I hope this helps that ministry to continue on. The book is called The Christmas Adventures of Cowboy True. The illustrators working on the project are gifted artists and I'm proud of the job they've done. Can't wait for everyone to see it.

 

December 28, 2007
Living in the high sierras of Northern California you get a sampling of all kinds of weather. As I write this the snow is coming down and the sun is trying desperately to make an appearance. The inches of snow and ice that cover my driveway have left me stranded in my house for a bit. I am able to use the time to answer many emails that have come in from readers who are anxious to read the book I'm writing about my brother's situation. There are many people who have had to live with the loss of a loved because of fabricated evidence and the like. There are many authentic victims of injustice and it makes every authentic victim related in some sense. Books, movies, television shows, etc., on the subject of the bad guys getting what they deserve will always be popular. The desire to balance an account long overdue is powerful and universal.

 

December 20, 2007
It was a great pleasure to have been a guest on Loyce Smallwood's radio program and discuss the books. She's a sweet lady and is a gracious interviewer. I appreciate the calls and the questions about The Lady Was A Gambler. Hope readers enjoy the book and encourage those who sign my guest book who want a copy of the material to email me with their address. I am looking forward to getting back to work on the book about the most intrepid posse in the west. I've had to put it on the back-burner so I could finish the books about schoolmarms and women miners of the Old West. I am inspired by that story and am anxious to get back into it. I'm hoping that the book I'm writing about the situation involving my brother will help me feel less guilty and less sad. I feel haunted at this point and would dearly love to be at peace. I don't know if that's possible.

 

December 17, 2007
On Friday, December 14th I had the good fortune of being a part of a book signing at Amicus Books in historic Marysville, California. The ladies who hosted the event dressed up like characters from the book With Great Hope: Women of the Gold Rush and read aloud from a few of the chapters. It was a delight to meet the people that turned out for the event and I was honored that they liked the books enough to invite me to participate. I look forward to returning to the location in the near future. Tomorrow the production company that's filming the documentary about John Wayne's early years will be here to do an interview about the book The Young Duke. They sent me a list of talking points and I've been going over and over them in hopes that when the camera is on I sound like I actually know something about the Duke's life. I feel like I'm studying for an exam - memorizing dates and places. He was a huge talent and I liked him because he was every man's hero. He had a quiet strength. He was the good guy who always made the bad guy pay for his sins. I'm a big fan of that notion and believe the only place that ideal is ever realized is in motion pictures. I think that's why so many are drawn to him. Who doesn't want to see the Ned Peppers and Liberty Valances of this world shot? And who didn't think Wayne was always the man for the job?

 

December 12, 2007
What a glorious few week of answered prayer and further dislpays of God at work. I've not kept up with my journal notes this week because I was directing the annual Christmas in Bethlehem production at the church I attend. A thousand people took the tour through the city and many lives were reached for the Lord. People left the tours knowing that we serve a real Savior. It was a blessing to be a part of the program. It couldn't have happened at a better time too because right in the middle of spending long hours building the city I received an ugly message in the guest book section of this website. The designer of my web-page was able to trace the culprit down and I now know that the identity of the foul, unsigned memo writer. The note came during a rare moment when I was able to allow something else into my heart other than the overwhelming sense that my beloved brother is gone. My brother was a former policeman who attended numerous conference in his career to learn how to deal with a variety of situations. How to evaluate traffic accidents, how to identify arms dealers, how to identify and track people who forged checks, rob banks, plant bombs, and how to identify and track pedophiles to name a few. Every officer who attends such conferences receive how-to manuals to aid them in their efforts to apprehend criminals. The odious creature who signed my guest book stated that the training manual my brother was in possession of was in fact a book he had been writing himself about pedophilia. Every time the story about what happened to my brother is told more cruel lies are interjected. I guess that's what some need to do to sleep at night. My brother was no author, but I am. And the book about the event, which is soon to be released, will tell all. In the meantime, life goes on. I'm going to get a chance to be a part of a documentary 20th Century Fox is doing on John Wayne. I meet with the production company next week and will be interviewed about the book I wrote on the Duke's younger years. I'm excited about the possibility and look forward to meeting the crew. I hope the writer's strike ends soon. The screenplays I've written are at a virtual standstill during this time. Work on the various books continues though. I'm blessed to have that.

 

December 3, 2007
I'm working this week on a missionary venture...giving tours through Bethlehem at my church. Once a year we transform the interior to look like the Holy city and conduct tours through it for the public. It's a marvelous experience. I'll be working on my new book as well, but the bulk of this important week is dedicated to telling people about God. I think it's a great place to be when you are dealing with a loss. I have to admit that my hurt and anger has made me take my eyes off Him a lot lately. I hope this will be a blessing and many ways and act as a comfort. No one knew more about what it was like to be wrongly accused. The lies told about Jesus by the leaders of the Jewish high priests and Herod were staggering. I will take an example from my God. Herod questioned Jesus and asked Him about the things people have accused Him of, but Our Savior said nothing. Herod was too far gone to respond. Some depraved people are too far gone to respond to. Like Herod, evil has taken over and that's all they see. Jesus knew responding to the enemy was a waste of time. There was no redemption for Herod. I've been hurting and very sad. This website reflects that to some extent. The loss of my brother has struck me hard. I miss him and always will. To know that he was lying in a pool of his own blood, beaten with his false teeth kicked out and smashed, glasses smashed, face unrecognizable. The image will haunt me forever. I am so grateful to God for giving me a heart to be torn over such things. I think I'm entitled to grieve. Dear Tammy, thank you for writing. I was able to get your email address from the brilliant webmaster of my site. I'm always amazed at what the people who manage a website are able to find out. So I'm off with paper in hand to write in between giving tours through Bethlehem. God knows it's where I need to be writing.

 

November 29, 2007
Writer tells stories unearthed in Old West graveyards By Carol Dexter Many Old West graveyards have nothing more than faded pieces of wood to show for the lives of the deceased who are buried there. Gone and forgotten many may be, but Chris Enss brings back to life some of the more interesting characters' stories in her new books - "Tales Behind the Tombstones" and "The Lady Was a Gambler." Some of these folks you've never heard of; some were and/or are famous, and some were even locals. Enss revives their faded memories with stories of how they lived, how they died and what led up to their mostly untimely deaths. From Doc Holiday to the little child memorialized on Route 20 near the town of Washington, Enss proves that everyone has a story to tell. And most of them are tragic. These soiled doves - sporting women and gamblers of both sexes - earned their places in the castoff cemeteries outside the cemetery "proper," where upstanding citizens rest in peace. They are, in my opinion, all the more interesting for that fact. Not everyone is dealt an easy hand. Not everyone can stay on the straight and narrow, lest they die of starvation along the way. And more often than not, these characters were women. Using their feminine wiles to lure the unsuspecting female-starved prospector or dandy to their faro tables, these women were smart, talented and, most importantly, beautiful. Everyone, after all, has to have a gimmick. What's more interesting about these people and all of the others who didn't make it into these books was that they risked everything to come West. Most of them reinvented themselves time and again as though it were the most natural thing to do in the world. And that, to me, is almost incomprehensible. Very few questions were ever asked and, if they were, you just moved on and started again. It must have been very liberating to know you could just pick up, disappear and start over. Perhaps these people could do that because there were so many vacant niches in the vast, unsettled West. But I can't imagine that most people today could so easily start over so many times, often with new identities. In today's world, where everyone is identified by numbers, passports, vehicles, bank accounts and references, I just can't imagine pulling this sort of thing off myself. I don't think most people could - at least not without a hefty bankroll behind them. And the people in these books had no such luxury. Pack your things; get on your horse and go. The thought is very alluring. These books might just give you ideas.

 

November 27, 2007
My appreciation for teachers continues to grow. I'm writing about schoolmarms of the Old West and am amazed at all they had to do to bring formal education to the frontier. Some of the teachers used McGuffey Readers to teach their class how to read and spell. Others only had a Bible or a Sears, Roebuck catalog as a text book. I applaud the teachers I've had in my life. Viginia Upton was a dedicated teacher who was as kind as she was intelligent. Most everything she taught me has turned out to be correct with the exception of one item. She believed in justice and taught me that evil would always be found out. Not true. A copy of letter came today to my mother requesting that my brother quick claim deed the house he owned with the unfortunate horror of a human being he was married to, over to her. My brother will never be able to sign his name again. Evil will never be found out. I wish my heart wasn't so overtaken by hatred at times like this. It's hard not to think that way when your mother is crying and misses her son...and always will. Where is the relief? If only a teacher knew.

 

November 20, 2007
I was given the opportunity to be a guest on KNCO Radio's afternoon program yesterday and it is always a treat to be a part of the broadcast. I appreciate KNCO's staff and talent. They eagerly welcome authors and are genuinely pleased to talk with you about your work. KAHI Radio in Auburn, California is the same way. I'll get to be a part of their programming next month. In the last few years I've been surrounded by people that have proven themselves to be untrustworthy. A few of whom I was once related to and one specifically I was proud to call my neice. The level of deceit and hurt on her part shattered my faith in many who claim to care. And it's been hard coming back from it all and I can't say I'm over it yet. Small acts of kindness as witnessed in the generosity of the KNCO staff, my friends from church, my family, and the readers of this website are helping me to make it through to another day. I'm grateful for that this Thanksgiving. And Tammy, if you could, please send me your email address. I'd like to thank you for your encouraging words.

 

November 16, 2007
I got a nice email from a friend from Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona where I graduated. He had some nice comments about the books I sent him. And I quote, "I finished "The Lady Was a Gambler" on Saturday. What a fun read! The way you write, I could smell the leather, the wood, the cigar smoke and the perfume! I couldn't wait to start the next one. I spent the whole morning reading, instead of watching my weekly Westerns on TV." I thought it was darn nice of him to write. Thank you, Dale. Wouldn't it be nice to go back to high school knowing what we know now? I think I'd appreciate it a lot more. I know I'd thank my teachers more. I had a great history teacher. Her name was Virginia Upton. She was tough, but fair and I loved her a lot. She's gone now, but she will never be forgotten by this former student. Teaching is a gift and I appreciate all the gifted educators I've known. They're heros to me.

 

November 13, 2007
Sorting out the best way to market a book is probably the most challenging part of the writing process. I invested in a number of marketing campaigns this year for the books Ive had released and am unsatisfied with the slow sales. The ads that Ive placed in True West Magazine, American Cowboy Magazine, and Chronicles of the Old West all contain my website address. It disheartening when people say, You have a website? I am frustrated because I want to get the word out about the work and the website and am obviously doing an inadequate job. Ill keep at it. I havent been as vigilante as Id like to be with that aspect of writing. Try as I might I cant seem to get my brother off my mind. I wonder how long that will take. The despair is overwhelming the sadness is always there&lurking. Im off now to collect art work for the schoolmarm book due out next year. Im already planning a publicity campaign for that book and I pray that it will be a success.

 

November 9, 2007
I'm in San Jose today doing research on a schoolmarm who started the first school in the area. Her name was Mary Graves and she was the heroine of the Donner Party. Her story is tragic and inspired. It will be a great addition to the book. No matter how hard I try I cannot stay totally focused on the work. Thoughts of my brother's torture creep in. I see him lying there, his teeth kicked in and his glasses busted. Bruises on his face and head, unable to move, ever. I will miss him always. The constant thoughts of the brutality are like a mistress. Someone who takes everything, but leaves nothing but sadness. I cannot find out anything about my brother's body. The prison officials continue to be cruel. I was told that if "there was enough of him that a rat could eat I'd be lucky." I am heartsick for my poor mom and dad. I wonder if the real criminal in all of this knew that we would be condemn to such a life? I'm sure she did. I wonder if the man she married will be safe? I suspect in two years time or less, this poor man's mother will be suffering as she watches her loved one go to prison and die. Some souls are black as the night. There is no mercy and no way to fight such evil. When Mary Graves's husband was murdered she felt the same way. It seems odd that most of the characters I'm writing about lately have experienced similar heartbreaking circumstances in their lives. There is comfort in that I suppose.

 

November 6, 2007
I can't imagine what it must have been like for Wyatt Earpy, Bill Tilghman, Charlie Bassett, and Bat Masterson to ride the plains of Kansas looking for Dora Hand's killer. Just as they picked up on the murderer's trail a freezing rain washed away any trace of his horse's hoofprints. They kept at it though and eventually got their man. The sad, awful misery of it was that James Kenedy went free. His father was very wealthy and helped get his son out of trouble. Even in 1878 the color of justice was green. I feel like my brother got some justice today. After a grueling intake process from Moody Bible Institute he was accepted as a full time student. I wish he'd known how many people spoke out for him and recommended him to the program. I wish he'd known how many lives he touched. I wished I'd had adequate enough money to have helped my brother. I wish...

 

November 5, 2007
I've been writing about Bat Masterson again today. I am working on chapter five of the new book. I like Bat a lot. He was tough, but fair and always looked out for his brothers and sisters. He was particularly close to his brother Ed and after Ed was shot he blamed himself for not taking better care of him. He was never the same after he buried his brother at the Fort Dodge cemetery. The four men involved in his brother's shooting were arrested for the crime, but were later released because there was no positive proof of there complicity. The bad guys went free, but Bat dedicated the rest of his life to making sure justice was served. Bat eventually became a writer and called out the bad guys by name in print. He could have shot them, but dying was too good for those boys. I know just how you feel, Bat. I know just how you feel.

 

November 4, 2007
I'll send a free copy of The Lady Was a Gambler to the next five people who sign the guest book and include their email. The new book would make a great gift for history lovers.

 

November 2, 2007
I have spent so much time researching and writing about the four men that participated in the hunt for Dora Hand's killer that it's hard for me to decide who I like best. I've been focusing on Bat Masterson over the last few days and I like him as much as I do Bill Tilghman. It's been interesting to learn what specific event made them become champions for right. Bat and his brother had done some work grading a section of land outside of Dodge and the man that hired them failed to pay them for the job. He skipped town. Bat couldn't afford to hire an attorney to go after him so he bought himself a six shooter and waited for the man to one day return. When the thief eventually did return to Dodge City, Bat made sure he got the money he and his brother were owed. Bat waited out the bad guy. I wish I could subscribe to that. I got word yesterday from the prison officials at Beaumont Prison that if I ask anymore questions about my brother or his treatment they would turn me over to the FBI and tell the them that I was terrorizing them. Don't know how Bat would have handled this. I don't believe you can wait out the bad guy now of days. The bad guys have won and unfortunately work for the government. Where's a good posse when you need one?

 

October 29, 2007
I'm trying to get back to work today. I have been writing about Bat Masterson and his role in the posse that set out to capture Dora Hand's killer. It's hard to stay focused. It seems like my faith and circumstances have been in a head on collision. I don't think believing in a good God makes sense right now. I don't think he likes me much. Don't think he liked my brother either. My mother wants him to be buried next to her at the Norborne Cemetery, but I can't let that happen. Just thinking about what those absolute horrors of individuals did to him in life makes me shudder to think what they what do to his grave in death. What happens to him will be a closely guarded secret. You know, Bat Masterson excaped death more than once. He was shot in the pelvis during a gunfight at the Lady Gay Saloon near the Sweetwater Creek in Texas. An Army surgeon managed to remove the bullet, but he walked with a limp for the rest of his life. I miss my brother. Like I said, it's hard to stay focused.

 

October 25, 2007
Life has thrown another curve and that has caused me to neglect the website. Once again my brother that is in prison has come under attack. We are trying to get him moved to another location, but the executive assistant at the Federal Bureau of Prisons has assured me that "he will be killed and there's nothing I can do to stop it." I'm heartbroken. If he were to just die it would be one thing, but they will rape him again and again and beat him to death. My poor parents. I have been so very involved in my church and know God is real, but question everything about my faith right now. There is no mercy. I continue to work on my writing as best I can. It is my one and only joy these days.

 

October 19, 2007
The conditions were just right today to write about the Kansas posse pursuing the man who shot entertainer Dora Hand. Wyatt Earp, Charlie Bassett, Bill Tilghman, and Bat Masterson chased the bad guy across the plains and lost his trail after a heavy rainstorm. They made camp in the rain and tried to sleep so they would be well rested to continue the hunt the next day, but the weather wasn't having it. Sometime in the middle of the night the men began talking about their careers and various pursuits. Although the rain was rentless, the time they spent swapping stories helped make the wet conditions seem but a minor irritation. I'm trying to recreate the scene in the book. It's not an action sequence, but so much can be learned about these legendary characters during the exchange. As always, Bill Tilghman is the standout lawmen among the four. He was unassuming and generous. I think I'm more than a little smitten with Mr. Tilghman.

 

October 18, 2007
Some days I'm not passionate at all about writing. Today I'd be hard pressed to say just what I was passionate about. I started this venture of writing wanting to do nothing more than pen comic screenplays. Simply put, I just wanted to make people laugh. Breaking into that line of work requires an association with someone in the business however. No matter how good the work might be you'd stand a better chance at winning the lottery than getting one of your screenplays optioned and made into a motion picture. The competition is overwhelming. So many people want to write or say they've written. I've met many people who tell me about their book or script. No one ever meets a dentist and confesses to them that they've been working on filling molars in their spare time. Few bump into a librarian and tell them about their idea to better the dewey decimal system. Lots of people write though and lots of people want the world to know what they're writing. I admire their passion and on cloudy, rainy days like these, long to feel as excited about the venture as they do.

 

October 12, 2007
I've been busy this week writing about school marms of the old west. My publisher has asked me to bring the book in before the original deadline so I've been feverishly trying to comply. I want to focus all my energy on the posse book. I love the story and the memory of the four men I get to spend time with everyday. After meeting with Louis Gossett Jr. this past week I decided I would phone him and ask if he would read the screenplay I wrote entitled Frogs In Paradise. The story centers around a murder that actually occurred in my hometown. He agreed and my agent has sent the material to him. In other news, the production company that optioned Playing For Time emailed and told me there has been some interest expressed in the project. It would be nice to see that get off the ground. Even with all this going on I find I am overwhelmed with thoughts of my brother. I will write his story and continue to pray everyday that God stips the bitterness from my heart. It's all consuming at times. There's nothing anyone can do about the hurt and loss and that's the damn awful misery of it.

 

October 7, 2007
I had the distinct pleasure of being a part of the Lone Pine Film Festival this weekend. I was able to speak with several Western film legends and visit a part of California I'd never seen. The volunteers working with the festival were kind and generous. The ladies who hosted the Friday night meals were gracious as well. Chris Langley, the gentlemen in charge of the event, gave my little mock-u-mentary a showing at the Lone Pine Film Museum. I am sincerely grateful for that opportunity. With the exception of sitting on a panel entitled Crafting Written Film History, in which I was clearly out of my element since I do not write about film history or consider myself worthy of being on dais with such giants in the field as Holly George Warren and Petrine Mitchum, the event was delightful. The man who moderated the panel was aware that I didn't belong there either. The back-handed insult at the onset of the discussion where he introduced me to the audience was proof of how offended he was at my being there. At least I like to think he was simply offended by my presence and not that he is a boorish, self-indulgent, know-it-all with the manners of a goat on a regular basis. I could be wrong. Anyway, I'm glad to have had the experience.

 

October 2, 2007
In my opinion people who write quality music are the most talented writers around. To set thoughtful lyrics to a provoking melody is admirable. Whenever I hear a tune like that I am in awe of the creativity behind it. Music is a universal language and can mean many different things to different people. Nothing else is like that. I heard a song yesterday entitled Because of You. It brought back feelings that I have for my one time neice who falsely accused my brother of some very evil things. I am much more careful now with children from my Sunday school class than I used to be because of her. I never imagined teenagers would say the things she did to get attention and because of that I don't trust any accusation a teenager makes about anyone - a teacher, aunt, uncle, grandparents. I lost a bit of the innocense I used to have because of her and it defines the way I write now and see the world. The lyrics of the song Because of You echo my sentiments and I'm proud of the person who wrote the song. Wish I had that kind of talent.

 

October 1, 2007
The book signing at Barnes and Noble this past Saturday was wonderful! I met some very talented writers and particular enjoyed the conversation I had with Michael Troyan the author of the biography about actress Greer Garson. We've decided to collaborate on a book about the cowgirls of Old West films. I'm off to the Lone Pine Film Festival this weekend. It's a six hour drive from my home, but I'm going to bring a handful of Max Brand westerns on tape and enjoy the ride. I'm working on the posse book and learning more about Marshal Bill Tilghman. In my opinion he was the best man on the ride and one of the finest lawmen that ever lived - next to my brothers that is.

 

September 28, 2007
I'm so excited about the signing at Barnes and Noble in Sacramento tomorrow. I think it's going to be a great time and I'm grateful for the opportunity. I'll be signing with authors who have written biographies on Greer Garson and Boris Karloff. I look forward to being able to talk with them about their subjects. My nephew leaves for the Navy on Monday. I know he'll do well. Good luck, Corey.

 

September 26, 2007
One of the things I dread most about writing is when the manuscript comes back from the editor with questions, comments, and suggestions for changes that need to be made. The comments can be quite biting at times, even somewhat mean-spirited. I find myself on the defensive rathering than looking at the suggestions objectively. I just finished making changes to a book I got back from my publisher about outlaws of the Old West and I have to say the experience was quite different this time. The person who reviewed the material was kind and thoughtful. Their attitude made me want to bend to all of their suggestions. Don't get me wrong. I still bristle at the prospect of doing rewrites, but this time it wasn't so bad. The book Outlaws of California is due out sometime next fall.

 

September 21, 2007
It's amazing how devastation in one's personal life shapes what they write and the way they write. Orwell, Hemingway, and Melville.... I would not presume to put my own work in the same category of these literary giants, but I can identify with how suffering and tragedy influences the work. My beloved brother is sitting in a federal prison right now because I asked him to plead guilty for a crime he did not commit. Due largely to a corrupt federal system that misuses the Patriot Act, investigating officers who were and still are, romantically involved with the witnesses in the case, supplying them funds and special services, coupled with how easy it is for a disgruntled teenagers to falsely accuse fine individuals of the most vile acts and make it stick with no evidence, I believe I had to ask my brother to take a plea. It's my fault he is where he is. I couldn't risk losing him for life. Every day when I sit down to write I see his aged, sad face. I hear my mother weeping, longing for her son. Every t I cross, every i I dot holds the pain I feel over this unjust event. I ache for justice and cause the characters I write about to ache for the same ideal. I pray daily for all bitterness to be removed from my heart. Man can do nothing, but yield to God in all things. I hold onto and believe completely in the irrefutable truth sent forth from the heavens above, God's vengeance is assured.

 

September 17, 2007
I'm off to Gold Hill, Nevada tomorrow to take part in the Old West lecture series there. I'll be speaking on the subject of women doctors of the Old West. I met an interesting gentlemen this past week while I was at the Capitol Public Radio studios. He had just completed a trip to Africa where he was part of a program that helped educate people about STDs and the HIV virus. The teenagers there are given false information about the virus and are being told (by their teachers no less) that the HIV virus is found in condoms. I was shocked to learn the odd things some believe. It reminded me of when I was doing the research for the book The Doctor Wore Petticoats. I learned that men and women on the frontier who were suffering with an STD believed the water around Lake Tahoe could heal them. They soaked themselves in the water around Emerald Bay. I can't help but think about that whenever I drive by that area and see people swimming. Very interesting.

 

September 11, 2007
I spent the better part of the day working on the book about the intrepid posse. My focus has been about Marshal Bill Tilghman and his law enforcement techniques. He was interested in learning every aspect of the law and that made him different from Earp, Masterson, and Bassett. Out of the four men he was the only one that made being a police officer a way of life. The other men dabbled in the business, but it was Tilghman's profession. Bat Masterson said that Tilghman was "the finest of us all." On more than one occasion, Marshal Tilghman was wrongly accused of a crime. I guess that kind of thing has been going on longer than I even imagined. In Tilghman's case however, the people who really did commit the crime were made to pay and he was vendicated.

 

September 7, 2007
And so ends another work week. I've got a good start on chapter four of the posse book and will be traveling to Sacramento