A Belle of the Wild West

A footnote from history by Stephanie Grace Whitson

"Where did you get that idea?" is a question often

asked of historical fiction authors. Personally, I'm always looking for little-known stories about interesting women. 

Nan Aspinwall of Liberty, Nebraska, captured my imagination the moment I "met" her. I was working on a non-fiction project at the Nebraska State Archives in Lincoln when a researcher smiled and said, "You'd probably be interested in a woman I'm helping another author research. He's doing a magazine article on long distance rides and called asking for more information on Nan Aspinwall." She told me a little about Nan--beginning with the endurance ride that earned her headlines across the nation. Aspinwall rode from San Francisco to New York City in 180 days, "averaging 25 miles per day and did not change horses ..." Once she reached New York, Nan finished the stunt by riding her horse (in a freight elevator) to the top of a twelve-story building.

I was intrigued.  "What kind of information do we have?"

The researcher smiled. "We have her scrapbooks." 

It was Friday, and I was immersed in the other project, but I returned the next week and by page 2 of the first scrapbook (the archive has six), I knew I would be proposing a story about the women of Buffalo Bill's Wild West--a story inspired by Nan Aspinwall.

Nan's career didn't intersect with the Wild West until 1908, when she performed with Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Far East Groupe. I've wondered if she's featured on the poster at left. 

Prior to 1908, Nan was the "Montana Girl," billed as an "expert horsewoman, lariatist and sharpshooter," performing with her husband, Frank Gable. After the Wild West, Frank and Nan of "Gable's Novelty Show" traveled the west (and even performed in Honolulu) with an act that featured "Mrs. Gable shooting with rifle and revolvers and an exhibition of skill with bow and arrow. Frank gives a fine roping, spinning, and trick number. They carry a nice supply of Wild West and African big game films and present these in conjunction with their vaudeville numbers." Part of the shooting exhibition included Nan breaking poker chips held in a closely fitting frame on her husband's head.

Photos like this one inspired Liberty Belle,
the main character in Belle of the Wild West

The Gables toured together until Frank's death in 1929. Two years after Frank's death, Nan donated their shooting gallery equipment to the San Juan Basin Rifle and Pistol Club. She remarried and was living in California when she passed away in 1964. I was twelve years old when Nan Aspinwall died ... wow. The Wild West wasn't all that long ago!

One reporter, speaking of Two Gun Nan wrote, "In her the spirit of the West still lives."

How about you? Would you have been the young girl dreaming of performing in Buffalo Bill's Wild West? What you have wanted to do ... trick riding, roping, or shooting?

Here's the result of my discovering Nan Aspinwall:

Previously published as
Unbridled Dreams

The only child of wealthy parents, Irmagard Friedrich is determined to become famous as Liberty Belle, trick rider for the Wild West. Irma's fiercely controlling mother is just as determined to stop her. But then Irma's doting father arranges for an audition with his old friend, William F. Cody.

As Liberty Belle, Irma enters the magical world of the Wild West. Friendship awaits -- and so does Shep Sterling, the handsome King of the Cowboys.

Just when Belle has everything she wants, family secrets are exposed, rattling the very foundations of her life and threatening her future.

What will Liberty Belle--and others--be forced to sacrifice so that she can live her dream?

The ebook is $2.99 here: https://www.amazon.com/Belle-Wild-Stephanie-Grace-Whitson-ebook/dp/B073ZLRFL4

Lady Liberty

A footnote from history by Stephanie Grace Whitson.

"...the ferry passes near Bledsoe's Island, soon to be graced by a very significant monument ... It's over three hundred feet high. Named 'Liberty Enlightening the World,' the figure of a woman holding high a lighted torch. They expect the light to be visible from fifty miles at sea." 

Those are the words that introduced my imaginary friend Liberty Belle to Buffalo Bill's Wild West and her chance to ride in the parade the day the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York. The dedication included a parade, fireworks (which had to be postponed) and a speech by President Grover Cleveland.

Lady Liberty was the brainchild of French sculptor, Frederic August Bartholdi, who was inspired by an 1865 after-dinner conversation with another Frenchman who was a supporter of the Union during the American Civil War. That conversation introduced the idea that perhaps a joint project (between France and the United States) would inspire the French to champion democracy over the repressive regime of Napoleon III. 

Creating the statue was slow going. Bartholdi would cross the Atlantic in search of a site in 1871, a year after creating his first working model. Eventually, it was decided that the French would finance the statue, while the U.S. would provide a site and pay for the pedestal. In 1876, the arm and torch were displayed at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, moving to Madison Square Park in Manhattan until 1882. In 1878, the head was on view at the Paris World's Fair. 


Fundraising was difficult and by 1885 work on the pedestal was threatened due to lack of funds. Joseph Pulitzer began a drive for donations and almost 120,000 responded ... with less than a dollar each. At last, Lady Liberty arrived ... in pieces. She was dedicated in 1886 and remains one of our most beloved landmarks. 

Have you visited Liberty Enlightening the World?

What's your favorite U.S. landmark?

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In Stephanie's novel Belle of the Wild West (previously published as Unbridled Dreams), a Nebraska gal gets a chance to live her dream, performing with Buffalo Bill's Wild West during the summer of 1886, when the Wild West camped on Staten Island. Performers (including Native Americans in full regalia) rode the ferry daily to reach the performance venue at Madison Square Gardens.

Watch for the announcement of this book's re-release (first time as an ebook!) by visiting Stephanie's Facebook page  
https://www.facebook.com/StephanieGraceWhitsonofficial/ or subscribe to receive book announcements at www.stephaniewhitson.com.