Canadian Old West History
 
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The Author - Longfellow.

As far as we know we were the first on the web to offer more than just a paragraph as an excerpt from a fiction novel.
That was seven years ago.

The nine excepts from The Last Best West constitute about 35 pages of the novel and when read in order, give the reader a  strong sense for the characters, drama, and adventure of The Last Best West. Story Synopsis

Excerpt Order 

If you enjoy these excerpts we guarantee you'll enjoy the rest - or your money back.
No bull.

 

Adventure novel by Longfellow Deeds.

Just $21.95 for this compelling old west adventure story. Shipping is $8.00 total = $29.95. Book is ~5.5 x 8.5 in. Full color cover - Printed on recycled paper.

Book is ~5.5 x 8.5 in. Full color cover - Printed on recycled paper.

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Picture: Buffalo Bill Cody.

What is The Last Best West?

Before Longfellow Deeds penned his old west adventure novel, The Last Best West, the phrase had a notable past. . . .

The Last Best West was an advertising slogan used to attract immigration to Western Canada between the years 1896 - 1914. The Canadian Government took out full page adds in British, American, and European newspapers to encourage immigration to Western Canada. Millions of  settlers flooded Canada during these 18 years.

In 1912, Guy Weadick, used the phrase to sell the first Calgary Stampede to his financial backers. Ninety-three years later it's the world's premier outdoor show and rodeo, and during the Stampede's run of 10 days every July, over a million visitors pass through the turnstiles.

Calgary Stampede Parade Pictures
  More about Guy Weadick
Canada's Wild West
Canada's connection to the myth of the Wild West includes several well known individuals, and many lesser known. Canadian figures from the Old West of the 1870s-1905 can really be broken into 2 categories: Members of the North West Mounted Police and Cowboys/Gunfighters.

Bat Masterson and Seth Bullock were two of the most noteworthy Old West Gunfighters/Law Men born in Canada. Buffalo Bill Cody's father was born in Canada and American Old Bill Miner spent about half of his outlawing career in southern British Columbia. This was the outlaw who first uttered those immortal words, "Hands Up!", and who on September 10, 1904 robbed the Canadian Pacific Railway Transcontinental Express No. 1, just outside of Mission Junction, British Columbia. Inside was around $6,000 in gold dust, $1,000 in currency, and $150,000 in U.S. bonds. Old Bill and his two

The Silver Spur Gunfighters.

pards had picked this train because they thought it would be carrying a $62,000 gold shipment from the Caribou gold mines. Although disappointed, they consoled themselves with the cash and gold dust and left without harming anyone. This was the first train robbery in Canada.

The Sundance Kid in Calgary
The legendary member of the Wild Bunch, and Butch Cassidy's lieutenant, spent the better part of 3 years in the Canadian Old West, in and around Calgary, Alberta. 1891 Police records show that a Harry Longabaugh was charged with cruelty to animals. This was at the time he was working as a wrangler at the Bar U Ranch (currently a national historic site), about 50 miles south of Calgary. 
Continued here.

Old West Poster
The Murder of Wild Bill Hickok

Frame is not included. Used for illustration purposes only

Back in May, 2006 we were rounded up to work on a re-enactment of the moment when Jack McCall walked into Tom Nuttal's #10 Saloon on Aug 2 1876, in Deadwood, Dakota Territory, and murdered Wild Bill Hickok.

This painting by Canadian artist Ken Dewar, was the end result of the afternoon of filming in Heritage Park, an authentic 19th century town, in Calgary. 130 years to the day that McCall did his cowardly deed the painting was unveiled in front of City Hall in Deadwood, South Dakota, on August 2, 2006.

The Limited Edition Prints sell for 500 dollars and up.

Own an 11" x 17" poster for 37.40 USD.

Shipping is 7 dollars. TOTAL $44.50  ::  Order Now   ::  Check-Out

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Custom Cowboy Hats from The Last Best West
In today's world of depleting Ozone and the rise of melanoma and skin cancer - everyone needs a good hat to shield their face and neck from the harmful effects of the sun. What could be more timeless and useful than a fine fur-felt Cowboy Hat? It will keep your face and neck in constant shade - regardless of the position of the sun, and your eyes and lips will say thankee-thankee. It'll be your friend for life and will age just as gracefully as you!

We'll give you what you want.
Made to your Specifications. If you don't see what you want - send us a picture - and we'll make our version of that hat.

Longfellow researched the designs based on historical photos and original mail order catalogues from the late 1800's and the early decades of the 20th Century. Of particular help was the Smithsonian Website, the Library, and the archives of the Glenbow Museum in Calgary. And of course those great Hollywood Westerns.

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Custom Old West Caricatures

The Last Best West has teamed up with a well-known local commercial artist to offer custom Old West Caricatures! You supply us with a smiling photo of the subject(s), the text and we'll do  up a custom caricature wanted poster for you. A perfect gift for Birthdays, Valentines, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and dang near any other occasion! Go to our Custom Caricatures page for all the details. Click Here

About The Artist
Mark Cromwell is well known around Calgary for his humorous and light-hearted old west Caricatures. For 15 years Mark has entertained at many Corporate functions and special events around the City. With Sharpie and paper in hand he's a staple at many Calgary Stampede events, from Media Mixers to Volunteer Events.

Click Here for our Custom Caricatures Page

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