|
|
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
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**We
rate the book 14A **
If you enjoy these excerpts
we guarantee you'll enjoy the rest - or your money back.
No bull.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Old
West Posters
We've
developed an original line of Old West Poster Art - and
frankly we think there's nothing like it any where else.
Old West Heroes like Buffalo Bill Cody, Wild Bill Hickock,
George Armstrong Custer, and Gunfighters like Jesse James,
Butch and Sundance, John Wesley Hardin, Billy The Kid,
and Doc Holliday have all been faithfully portrayed in
the context of their times.
Go
to our Old West Posters page.
|
|
|
|
|
top
of page
|
|
|
 |
Klondike
Gold Rush Facts |
On
August 16, 1896, George Carmack dreamt about gold. Carmack
dreamt of nugget eyes that gleamed from salmon in the Klondike
River 20 steps from his feet. The next morning the old prospector
pulled the first gold nuggets out of Rabbit Creek, in the
Klondike Valley of the Yukon Territories. The Klondike Gold
Rush drew 100,000 pilgrims to the gold fields of Canada.
"Neither
law nor order prevailed, honest persons had no protection
from the gang of rascals who plied their nefarious trade,"
wrote mounted police officer Sam Steele, describing the
scene at the base of the treacherous Chilkoot Pass. "Might
was right; murder, robbery, and petty theft were common
occurrences."
More
Gold Rush Facts
Carmack,
Dawson Charlie and Skookum Jim, mighta started the Klondike
gold rush, but they weren't too bright when it came to picking
the town site. There's a legend says they were drunk when
they staked out the city limits on boggy ground, right on
the flood plain of the Klondike River.
Tens
of thousands of would be prospectors rushed to the gold
fields, but they were mostly too late. Most of the payin'
claims were staked out and filed in the six months after
August 16, 1896. |
|
Klondike gold miners needed gear. Outfitters in San
Franscisco, Seattle, and Vancouver made fortunes selling
to the Klondike Gold Dreamers. |
"Hi-Ho
its off to the Gold Fields I go!"
Hey! Ferns don't grow in the Arctic!?
|
|
East
to the Klondike Valley and the gold fields. |
The
start up and over the White Pass was simple enough.
|
Fact:
Justice was rough
on the way to the Klondike, and just as rough in Dawson
City - the gateway to the gold fields.
|
Half
way up the mountain, not a
pack animal survives.
|
A
two hour final assualt on the Pass, and then a 2 minute
ride down (on your shovel) to pack another load.
|
The NWMP declared, "1 ton of food or you can't go to the
Klondike Valley!"
|
A
typical prospector watching his gear
at the top of the White Pass.
|
70
feet or more snow fell on the Coastal Mountains in the
winter of 1897-98.
|
20,000
Gold prospector's sat at
Bennett Lake - waiting for Spring.
|
May
29, 1898. The ice broke and the crowd headed for the Klondike
gold fields.
|
|
More
About the
Klondike Gold Rush
All the Gold in the Klondike couldn't save 1/3 of the
sprawling town from burning in the spring of 1899.
Within a couple of months
after the great fire of '99, the city rebuilt in a much
grander style. Klondike Gold paid for the nails that
were $0.25/E.
|
Dawson
City, Yukon Territories,
Canada - Spring 1898
|
|
Old
West Posters | Old West
Badges | Custom Badges |
Classic Cowboy Cartoons | Custom
Wanted Posters | Cowboy Hats
| Home
Authentic Wanted Posters
| Cowboy Pictures | Real
Western History | Cowboy
Wisdom Posters | Custom
Leather | Legends
of the West
|
/185_sonja_bed_332.jpg)
/silver_spur_logo.jpg){kind=logo}
