Chimney Rock from the Rattlesnake Cabin

Traveling the Oregon Trail Backwards, a Road Trip Adventure, Part 6

Chimney Rock, image by Mike Tigas from Columbia, MO, United States (Chimney Rock) [CC BY 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons

This article is brought to you by Janalyn Voigt.

View of Chimney Rock with an Ohalilah Sioux Village in the foreground painted by Albert Bierstadt (1830–1902) [Public domain image], via Wikimedia Commons

‘The only good rattlesnake is a dead rattlesnake,’ attested a sign on the wall of the cabin where we would spend the night. This, following our host’s insistent reminders to watch our step when venturing past the holes that riddled the sun-baked ground outside our door, had a profound effect on my vivid imagination. Even with Chimney Rock, that iconic American icon, standing sentinel in the background, going to the car to retrieve anything became a test of courage put off until absolute necessity demanded that I make the trip.

Some of my most cherished childhood memories are of surprising wildlife on California’s Mount Diablo. The best of them was when my father, brother, and I happened upon a lynx basking in the sun. I’m sure my shock equaled that of the silk-eared animal, who sped off without hesitation. That is not the reflection that stands out when I think of those hikes, however. The first thing that comes to mind is my brother backing me away from tall grasses where rattlesnakes hissed. I was too young to fully understand the danger of the moment. That would come, along with the appropriate thrill of fear, as a result of my stay at this Nebraska ranch. 

Did I actually see a rattlesnake while there? No, but the terror of being bitten by one lodge in my brain and gave me a greater appreciation of the hardy pioneers who crossed the prairie in the warm months, often on foot.

Butter-and-Egg Flower

A compensation, however, was the experience of the prairie itself. I saw it, up close and personal, the next morning when our host took us on a tractor tour of the ranch. He drove past unusual cliff formations while showing off the vast reaches of his property. Spring flowers bloomed in drifts, including one with fragile white petals surrounding a deep yellow center, which I admired. He called it a butter-and-egg flower and stopped to pick one for me in a moment of old-fashioned gallantry.

The ranch tour made up for the rattlesnakes, and we began to talk of returning for a longer visit. This stop changed my understanding of the prairie. It is about dust and shining water, unique formations and common sagebrush, rattlesnakes and blossoms delicate as poetry itself.

My experiences of the American West during an epic road trip with a small family group that retraced the Oregon Trail backward informed me while writing of Hills of Nevermore, first installment in the Montana Gold western historical fiction series.

Hills of Nevermore

Download a free ebook by award-winning author Miralee Ferrell.

Find out more about the Hills of Nevermore Launch Special.

Can a young widow hide her secret shame from the Irish circuit preacher bent on helping her survive?

In an Idaho Territory boom town, America Liberty Reed overhears circuit preacher Shane Hayes try to persuade a hotel owner to close his saloon on Sunday. Shane lands face-down in the mud for his trouble, and there’s talk of shooting him. America intervenes and finds herself in an unexpectedly personal conversation with the blue-eyed preacher. Certain she has angered God in the past, she shies away from Shane.

Addie Martin, another widow, invites America to help in her cook tent in Virginia City, the new mining town. Even with Addie’s teenage son helping with America’s baby, life is hard. Shane urges America to depart for a more civilized location. Neither Shane’s persuasions nor road agents, murder, sickness, or vigilante violence can sway America. Loyalty and ambition hold her fast until dire circumstances force her to confront everything she believes about herself, Shane, and God.Based on actual historical events during a time of unrest in America, Hills of Nevermore explores faith, love, and courage in the wild west.

Read the first two chapters free.

About Janalyn Voigt

My father instilled a love of literature in me at an early age by reading chapters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Robinson Crusoe and other classics. When I grew older, and he stopped reading bedtime stories, I put myself to sleep with tales I 'wrote' in my head. My sixth-grade teacher noticed my interest in storytelling and influenced me to become a writer.

I'm what is known as a multi-genre author, but I like to think of myself as a storyteller. The same elements appear in all my novels in proportions dictated by their genre: romance, mystery, adventure, history, and whimsy. Visit http://janalynvoigt.com

Tragedy on the Tracks

by Linda Farmer Harris

I enjoy historical reenactments whether they're Medieval, Civil War, Heritage Celebrations, or Western Shoot-outs. I like being transported back to olden times. Jerry and I are members of SASS - Single Action Shooting Society. Our SASS identities are Lin Penlady and Jeremiah Prophet. We have lots of opportunities for period dressing.

SASS - Elk Grove 2012

I love trains, too. Put reenactments and trains together and that's definitely a win-win for me. In August, for our 49th wedding anniversary, Jerry's brother, Phil, honored us with tickets to "Tragedy on the Tracks" a Railfest Murder Mystery Train event presented by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

This interactive, on-board Murder Mystery Train, was written and performed by the Historic Narrators of the D&SNGRR. The play is based on an actual 19th century Colorado murder at the Bowen's Ranch and Bitterroot Mine.

Historic Narrators of the D&SNGRR

The murder occurred in 1811 on Bowen's Ranch just north of Cascade Canyon. At this time, the railroad was being constructed in the remote wilderness area between Durango and Silverton, Colorado. Bill Bowen's Ranch was a well-known stopping place along the Animas Toll Road. Bowen's store carried staples and supplies for prospectors and travelers. He added a rooming house and saloon when construction started on the railroad to Silverton. Bill and his wife, Jane, also operated the Westminister Hall, Silverton's first saloon. Jane was the town's first madam.

Meanwhile, back at the Ranch deep in the mountains, the women who came to live and serve the travelers and prospectors soon discovered there was one way in and no way out. Things at the Ranch turned sour when Bill hired John Haley as the Ranch accountant and partner. Although business was booming, the books didn't reflect the revenue. Haley was drinking up the profits. Bowen also suspected Haley was embezzling from him.

That fall day the store and saloon were filled with customers. Haley and Bowen argued, it turned into a fist fight when Bowen threw Haley and his wife off the Ranch. Haley refused to leave, vowed to find a pistol and return.

Haley returned, hand in pocket. Bowen seeing the bulging pocket and, fearing for his life, raised his own gun and shot an advancing Haley three times. Mrs. Haley came at Bowen from behind with a butcher knife. Customers subdued her before she could strike him.

In a twist to a typical self-defense murder, Bowen stepped over Haley's body, walked out the door, rode to Durango, and turned himself in to the sheriff. In another twist to the story, none of the witnesses stayed around to testify that it was self-defense, including the "sporting women." Mrs. Haley was the only person left to answer the Sheriff's questions. Bowen was not charged in the death of John Haley.

Historic Narrators of the D&SNGRR - less one

Players left to right: Sheriff, Mr. Bowen, Conductor, Mrs. Bowen's Nephew, Mrs. Bowen, Mrs. Haley, Sporting Woman and alas, Mr. Haley.

The play's capture of the events and translation to the train instead of the Bowen Ranch was well done and worth a re-play next year. I recommend the adventure.

Lin and Jerry Harris taking part in the interactive 1811 murder mystery

Have you been involved in historical reenactments? Do you go to renaissance festivals?

Blessings,

Linda Farmer Harris

Lin and her husband, Jerry, live on a ranch in Chimney Rock, Colorado. She writes historical fiction for adults and children. Her enjoyment of genealogy and family history adds unique elements to her story. 

Her novella, The Lye Water Bride, is included in the California Gold Rush Brides Collection (Barbour, 2016)