The Jameses, The Hardins, The Hiltons?

If you were related to Frank and Jesse James, Black Jack Ketchum, Ned Kelly and John Wesley Hardin, chances are you'd wind up in the slammer, too! I wish I could claim credit for this research, but alas, I cannot. It is the work of Janice Brown who is a contributor to an orginal, insightful blog called Area 603. Janice proves that Ancestry.com is a wonderful research tool (and not just a way to while away the hours) and has discovered the relationship between Paris Hilton and the notorious figures pictured above. Read her revealing comments on Paris Hilton's "Six Degrees of Desperado" at http://area_603.area603.com/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=1158&blogId=1. By the way, as many Jesse experts know, the photos top middle and bottom left are purported to be Jesse and Frank, but they aren't really. Also, as Janice points out, Paris Hilton doesn't really have a mustache. . . just want to avoid confusion!

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Cherokee

So much happening in Cherokee, North Carolina . . . where to start? As a kid, this was my favorite place to visit. "Unto These Hills," the story of the Cherokee removal from the Smoky Mountains was the first outdoor drama I can remember and it has been rewritten from the Cherokee perspective. This elaborate production is a must-see and plays through August 18. Also coming up is the Cherokee Pow Wow, July 6-8, and the Festival of Native Peoples, July 19-21. Visit http://www.cherokee-nc.com for more information.



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Germantown Rings in the 4th

In Center City on the 4th of July they only tap the Liberty Bell. But in Germantown, the northwestern corner of Philadelphia, they really ring it out--once for every year since 1776! Discover the meaning of Independence Day as three historic sites in Germantown team up to present something a little more personal on your 4th of July. You've seen these sites in the news recently about the exciting program, "Quest for Freedom," which connects sites throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; now come see for yourself how important this picturesque community has been in the cause of freedom in our nation. Check out the tour and events by calling 215-848-1777, x222 or visiting http://www.cliveden.org/.

A Hard Rain

The rain keeps falling. Cross Creek and Soldier Creek up north of Topeka are probably spilling over their banks as we speak, but that's not newsworthy. It seems every time a raindrop falls they flood. And now that we have trashed our basement carpet, gotten the dehumidifier going, and treated all the mold we could find, we have become pretty complacent. Let it rain.

I'm sure the folks in Texas aren't complacent. We've been in some terriffic storms in Texas (below, an historic photo of flooding in Texas City). We have seen the results, or rather, the aftermath, of some incredible flash floods. Standing in a dry streambed one day at the foot of the Guadalupe Mountains (above), I was puzzled to see tree trunks. No trees that size were visible in any direction. Then Tom pointed up, to the ponderosa pines thousands of feet above us. Holy Disaster, Batman!

Also in western Texas, we crossed the headwaters of the Brazos, "headwaters" being a relative term. I didn't see a drop of water. But I know that is not always true. Curtis Bishop informs us that between June 17 and June 28, 1899, rainfall averaging 8.9 inches fell over 66,000 square miles, causing the Brazos River to overflow its banks and inundate an estimated 12,000 square miles. Damage to property was estimated at more than $9 million and 284 persons were known to have perished in the floodwaters; thousands of others were left homeless. The flood's highest recorded stage was at Hearne, where, as at many points, the waters rose above all available flood gauges. *

Tom's book, Scalp Dance, began with an incident that occurred along the Brazos River. To read more, see his blog, "Hope in a Bottle," posted on February 7.

The power of water is terrifying and amazing. I hope the folks in Texas have some clear skies soon.

*The Handbook of Texas Online.

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From the East

One of our dear friends in the East, Pat Fairburn, is a member of the Confederation Of Union Generals ( COUG ), and that organization is preparing for a busy time in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the weekend of July 6th to the 8th. How we would love to join them! Pat writes:

In addition to the many events taking place as part of the annual Gettysburg Battle reenactment, we will be appearing at two noted landmarks in Gettysburg --The Farnsworth House Inn and the Daniel Lady Farm. COUG is a Lancaster-based living history organization founded in 2004 by Lancaster native, Michael Riley, who portrays Union General John Fulton Reynolds. COUG is one of the fastest growing living history organizations on the East Coast, and their "mission" is to educate the public about the military history and personalities of the Civil War by having its members portray historical figures of the period, primarily Union Generals, officer staff, and noncommissioned officers.

Typically, our group sets up a General Headquarters camp, and educates the public through a series of "Meet The Generals" conferences where the Generals and Staff address the visiting public in a first person, in character, narrative about their own role/accomplishments during the late "conflict".

As part of our preparation, each historical impressionist steeps himself in the history of the era, and of the personal history of their adapted "persona", as to make a historically accurate presentation in both appearance and content.

This approach has proven to be enormously appealing to the general public, and an ideal way to engage people of all ages, especially youth, in the most defining moment of the country's history. We believe this approach accounts largely for the success of the organization and its growing popularity with organizers of historical events.

In addition to Generals Meade & Reynolds, some of the other notable recreated Officers and Staff are: Brigadier General Rufus Ingalls, Major General William Sherman, Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant, Brig. Gen. David McMurtrie Gregg, Major General Godfrey Weitzel, Brig. Gen. Andrew Humphreys, Brigadier General George Custer, Major General Winfield Hancock, Major General John Gibbon, and Major General James McPherson.

If any of your readers are planning on being in Gettsyburg this July 6-8, here are further details about the scheduled appearances of the COUG officers:

"Friday, July 6 --- The Farnsworth House Inn presents "Meet the Generals", historical impressions of leaders of the Union Army as portrayed by The Confederation Of Union Generals ( COUG) a Living History organization. 8:00 P.M. at 401 Baltimore St., Gettysburg.

"Saturday, July 7 --- The Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association presents "Meet the Generals", a chance to meet leaders of the Union Army in a Headquarters campfire scenario as portrayed by The Organization Of Union Generals, COUG, a Living History organization. 8:00 P.M. at the Daniel Lady Farm, 986 Hanover Road, Gettysburg.

Yard Sale Treasures

A Florida fireman purchased a box of photographs from an estate sale. He didn't go through them at first; he pushed them aside. Then, one morning while his wife was making breakfast, he began to sift through the aged images. His heart stopped. It couldn't be real. There was a note dated 1858 and it was signed, A. Lincoln.

It couldn't be! Could it?

It would be years before Joseph Skanks would know for sure. Finally, after consulting several experts, he was led to "History Detectives," a television show looking for new investigations for its upcoming season. They sent the letter to Springfield, Illinois, where John Lupton put the note under the microscope. Skeptical, Lupton looked for the distinctive characteristics of Lincoln's handwriting--and he found them. The letter that the Tampa firefighter purchased for eight bucks at a yard sale was estimated to be worth $25,000.

The short letter was written by Abraham Lincoln on Aug. 2, 1858, to Henry Clay Whitney, a political ally of Lincoln's and a fellow circuit court lawyer. According to the Springfield Journal Register, the note reads:

Yours of the 31st. is just received. I shall write to B.C. Cook at Ottawa and to Lovejoy himself on the subject you suggest.

Pardon me for not writing a longer letter. I have a great many letters to write.

I was at Monticello Thursday evening. Signs all very good. Your friend as ever A. Lincoln.

The episode of "History Detectives" will air on August 27. Skanks was flown to Springfield where he was forced to await the news of the letter's authenticity in order to add drama to the show. He also had the opportunity to visit the Lincoln Museum where he was moved to tears by the Civil War exhibit that tallies deaths as the war progresses. He plans to sell the letter, since being a firefighter doesn't pay all that well.

Tom and I often speculate on the undiscovered treasures in attics and basements across the world, and wonder how many are tossed, unknowingly, into the trash. There are discoveries left to be made. . . . Happy Yardsaling!

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Happy Birthday, Ambrose!

Ambrose Bierce was born on this day in 1842. After a prolific and controversial life, he disappeared while reporting on the Mexican Revolution. One determined priest believes he has found the chronicler of America's Civil War. From the website of Don Swaim:

For many years James Lienert, a former American priest serving in Mexico, has doggedly pursued the theory that Ambrose Bierce was executed and buried in 1914 in a small desert town in Mexico. At his own expense, Lienert installed a gravestone to memorialize Bierce in the graveyard where Lienert presumes Bierce is buried. I don't know the truth, but the possibilities are intriguing. In several emails to me, Lienert explained his reasoning and supplied the pictures below. What follows may be more than anyone wants to know about the presumed burial place of Ambrose Bierce, but there may be eager new biographers in the waiting.

At right, Leinert in the cemetery he believes contains the remains of Bierce. Visit Don's website for more on this intriguing tale. Perhaps this would make another great episode of "History Detectives." ("History's Mysteries" was better!) http://www.donswaim.com/ is devoted to Bierce's life and legacy and even has a link for the Bierce trilogy filmed by Kansas City filmmaker Don Maxwell.
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Kansas City CWRT

I'm speaking tomorrow night on my favorite subject--the parallel lives of Mary Lincoln and Varina Davis (left). Email for details if you're interested in attending.

Flip Flop Days

Virginia, 1960-something--As soon as school was out, I discarded whatever shoes I had been wearing and donned flip flops for the duration of summer. Flip flops are scant protection on a farm; I can't count the nails that went through them, the scrapes on the top of my feet, the stubbed toes because there was no protection against the rough boards or tree stumps. But they slipped off easily and I burrowed into the soft sand and slipped them back on again to walk through fields where there might be thistles or any number of other prickly plants. Sitting in the yellow glider under Granny's massive willow tree, I flicked off my flip flops and rubbed my feet on the mostly cool clover of the yard.

It's a sweet memory. Our neighbor has a magnolia tree, a rare thing in this part of Kansas. It's not real big as magnolias grow, only about 20 feet but it's thick and healty and it has a handful of blooms. As I was walking by tonight, the perfume of those flowers in the muggy evening air transported me to the South. I walked home and made myself a mint julep. So rather than talk about any event, past or future, I invite you to savor the muggy summer evening. . . or morning. . . wherever you are in time and space.

Homeland Security

Whenever I get emails concerning Homeland Security (which is surprisingly often), I forward this photo of me with Michelle Martin.

Never fear, boys. We've got you covered!

McCivil War

A new McDonald's restaurant near a Civil War landmark in Maryland will be decorated with artwork depicting the War Between the States, according to news reports. The company's original plans apparently called for 1950s rock 'n' roll era art.

The change came after residents of Urbana, an unincorporated town near Frederick, complained that a '50s-style restaurant wasn't appropriate for the area which is virtually the epi-center of the Civil War.

The new Mickey Dees is just across the street from Landon House (left), a mansion where Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart held the "Sabers and Roses Ball" just prior to the 1862 Battle of Antietam.

BTW--Tom and I spent one scary (and sleepless) night in the Landon House several years ago. More on that in a later blog.

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Mary and Her Dresses

First lady, Mary Todd Lincoln, was praised by some for her stylish wardrobe and criticized by others for its expense.

Donna McCreary, author of Fashionable First Lady: The Victorian Wardrobe of Mary Lincoln, will discuss the Lexington native at a luncheon hosted by the Mary Todd Lincoln House, Saturday, at Duncan Tavern Historic Center, 323 High Street in Paris, Kentucky. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m., and the lecture is at 1 p.m.

Books will be available for purchase after the lecture. Tickets for the luncheon are $30 for the general public and $25 for members of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Kentucky Mansions Preservation Foundation. For reservations, call (859) 233-9999.

Communing with the Dead

As a Southerner and a grave collector, I am a big believer in identifying graves. I was gratified to learn that the man who was depicted on the Cream of Wheat packages has received a proper tombstone.

According to the Associated Press, Frank L. White was the model for the white-hatted chef on the Cream of Wheat box. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Leslie, located between Jackson and Lansing, and until a few days ago there was only a concrete marker with no name. Now, there is a lovely granite marker with not only his name but an etching from the Cream of Wheat box.

Another must-see on my world-wide grave tour.

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Speaking of Grave Tours

June 30 Tom and I are headed to Westport for a tour of that historic area of Kansas City. A big part of that tour will be devoted to Mountain Man, Jim Bridger ( a Virginian, by the way), who operated a bar in Westport after his eyesight began to fail him. We'll not only visit his final resting place, but those of other notables. The Harris-Kearny House will be having its annual Veranda Sale so you won't want to miss this tour. Email me for a reservation. etalgoodrich@aol.com. The statue at right depicts Alexander Majors (one of the founders of the Pony Express), John Calvin McCoy (father of Kansas City), and Bridger. Bridger is a prominent figure in Tom's Scalp Dance. A more colorful man never lived.