Name: Frontier Medicine at Fort Davis and Other Army Posts
Brand: Donna Smith
SKU: 9781467152464
Price: 23.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Frontier Medicine at Fort Davis and Other Army Posts

9781467152464

$23.99

From a headless burial to cocaine toothache drops, the true stories hidden in the Wild West's medical records are a match for its tallest tales.

In the 19th century, when dying young was a fact of life, a routine bout of diarrhea could be fatal. No one had heard of viruses or bacteria, but they killed more soldiers on the frontier than hostile raiding parties. Physicians dispensed whiskey for TB, mercury for VD and arsenic for indigestion. Baseball injuries were considered to be in the line of duty and twice resulted in amputations at Fort Davis. Donna Smith explains how an industrious laundress could earn more than a private, a female army surgeon won the Medal of Honor and a garrison illegally hung its bartender.

Frontier Medicine at Fort Davis and Other Army Posts

Coppell, Texas

9781467136617

$21.99

Coppell history is rooted in peace and community. In 1843, Sam Houston met with ten native tribes along Grapevine Springs Creek to negotiate an accord to end fighting and allow trade and settlement in the area. When Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport opened in 1974, Coppell transformed from a farming hamlet into a thriving town with expanding economic opportunity. Through firsthand accounts with longtime residents and meticulous research, authors Jean Murph and Lou Duggan unfold the contemplative story of a complex and historic community.

Texas BBQ Adventure Guide

9781467150897

$23.99

From the bayous of the east to the dusty deserts of the west, embark on a journey through the countless smokehouses, roadhouses and barbecue food trucks that line the back roads and main streets of Texas. Dive into a history that dates back to treasure-hungry conquistadors and swashbuckling buccaneers. Learn what divides the state into five main flavor regions and read your plate of BBQ like a roadmap through history. Author Jason Weems journeyed more than 3,500 miles around the highways and byways of Texas to bring you a guide that's dripping with pro tips and sizzling with backstory.

Due Santi and the University of Dallas

9781467147651

$24.99

With a name bearing witness to Peter and Paul's meeting on the Appian Way, Due Santi has been the setting for a thousand different stories. This collection celebrates twenty-five years of such stories at the current campus and half a century of the University of Dallas Rome Program. The narrative stretches from last semester's G[r]eek Olympics to the chariot races of ancient Bovillae and strolls from the history of the villa to the future of the vineyard. Anyone who still dreams of Due Santi will instantly recognize the timeless landscape and the people who lovingly made it home, even if only for a little while.

Arizona Chimichangas

9781467140195

$21.99

Many claim to be the first to turn a plain burrito into a crispy chimichanga, but everyone agrees that it happened in Arizona. Fried to golden brown perfection at iconic restaurants like Casa Molina, El Charro and Macayo's, these crunchy wonders are favorites from Flagstaff to Bisbee, Safford to Yuma and all parts in between. Discover the disputed history of how chimichangas got their name and whether Chinese immigrants really invented them. Learn what goes into making a chimi, down to creating the perfect tortilla, as well as the variety of creative ingredients--from seafood to strawberries--that have been wrapped up in this delightful dish. Join author Rita Connelly as she presents recipes and behind-the-scenes stories from the Grand Canyon State's beloved chimichangas.

The Houstorian Calendar

9781467139878

$21.99

September 4, 2000, was Houston's hottest day on record, as well as Beyoncé's nineteenth birthday. Sam Houston was elected president on September 5, 1836. The city was awarded a National League baseball franchise on October 17, 1960, and on November 1, 2017, the Astros won their first World Series. On December 13, 1882, the Capitol Hotel became Houston's first public building to get electricity. Tragedy struck on April 16, 1947, when a ship carrying ammonium nitrate fertilizer exploded alongside a Texas City dock. James Glassman captures every single day of the year in the prism of Houston history, from the Texas Revolution to the moon landing.

Flagstaff’s Walkup Family Murders

9781467147156

$21.99

In the summer of 1937, the mountain town of Flagstaff emerged from the Great Depression with an eye toward the future. Few people were better positioned for success than JD Walkup, a handsome young mover and shaker who served as chairman of the board of supervisors and a happily married father of four. The city was alive and bustling, tourism thrived and cultural endeavors blossomed. But JD's life changed forever one cool summer evening when his wife, Marie, and their children were found dead. The murders shook the town to its core, along with the disturbing knowledge that Marie was the culprit. Join author Susan Johnson as she explores the tragic history of a once-happy Flagstaff family.

Oklahoma Tall Tales Uncovered

9781467153119

$23.99

Oklahoma has no shortage of tall tales chock-full of truth, however unlikely it might seem. Puzzle over Geronimo's three skulls. Examine the beer bottle that suckered town leaders on April Fools' Day or join the mad rush of a 100,000-person race. Accompany the governor who went to the White House and boxed the president. Untangle the hideouts and shootouts of notorious outlaws like the Dalton Gang. From Amelia Earhart's arrest to the croquet mallet that foiled Bonnie and Clyde, funeral director Joe M. Cummings retrieves the kind of lore that gets buried with Oklahoma's legends.

Oklahoma Scoundrels

9781467135191

$23.99

Early Oklahoma was a haven for violent outlaws and a death trap for deputy U.S. marshals. The infamous Doolin gang's OK Hotel gunfight left five dead. Killers like Bible-quoting choir leader Deacon Jim Miller wreaked havoc. Gunslinger femme fatale Belle Starr specialized in horse theft. Wannabe outlaws like Al Jennings traded train robbing for politics and Hollywood films. And Elmer McCurdy's determination and inept skill earned him a carnival slot and the nickname "the Bandit Who Wouldn't Give Up." Historians Robert Barr Smith and Laurence J. Yadon dispel myths surrounding some of the most significant lawbreakers in Sooner history.

Legends & Lore of the Texas Capitol

9781467137584

$24.99

From its beginning as one of the most ambitious construction projects west of the Mississippi, the imposing red granite Lone Star statehouse loomed large in Texas lore. The iconic landmark rests on a foundation of election rigging, an unsolved murder, land swaps and pre-dedication blackmail. It bore witness to the first meeting between LBJ and Lady Bird, as well as a bizarre resolution honoring the Boston Strangler. Mike Cox digs up a quarry's worth of the capitol's untold history, cataloguing everything from its ghost stories to its public art and collectible tourist kitsch.

Hill Country Hindsights

9781467153522

$23.99

Encounter fascinating characters and forgotten stories from the Texas Hill Country's past, before the crowds and amenities made life complicated. Settled by German immigrants in the 1840s, Fredericksburg's corner of the Texas Hill Country bustles with the trendy energy of an international tourist destination. But there was a time not long ago when the quiet community remained off the beaten path, even if it continued to draw in luminaries like O. Henry, Buck Taylor and Bob Hope. A working knowledge of Town Creek German wasn't necessary, but it sure came in handy. From the White Elephant Saloon to the 87 Drive-In, Michael Barr tours the bygone byways of the Hill Country, showcasing the heritage that predates the overbooked wine tours and vacation rentals.

Eerie Oklahoma

9781467151917

$21.99

With a flash of green light, a portal opens up in the Beaver Dunes. But even the strangeness of another dimension struggles to compete with Oklahoma's hair-raising heritage. The woods still whisper of a woman with doe eyes and deadly hooves. Tulsa's ivy-covered Hex House remains haunted by the ghost of its infamously manipulative owner. From the traveling mummy of John Wilkes Booth to the grandma who seasoned plum cakes with arsenic, Heather Woodward explores the peculiar and petrifying portions of Oklahoma's past.

Eerie New Mexico

9781467145947

$21.99

New Mexico's night sky generated speculation about alien visitation for centuries before the Roswell Incident of 1947. But the luminous spheres known as Bolas de Lumbre weren't the only evidence of unnatural phenomena in play. Locals have grown accustomed to stacking an unending list of questions against a disquieting tally of strange objects, unexplained sightings and unsolved mysteries that perplex scientists and confound skeptics alike. The original inhabitants of the land confidently claimed the distant stars as their ancestral home, but there is nothing remote about the fear many of the state's modern residents feel for the "Evil Eye" or a host of other supernatural threats. From notorious body snatchers to obscure ancient rituals, Ray John de Aragón examines New Mexico's eerie heritage.

River of Spirits

9781625858603

$24.99

Originating high in New Mexico's mysterious Black Range and flowing to the Rio Grande amid contorted, ghost-like sycamores, Las Animas Creek remains one of the least accessible landscapes in the nation. The watershed is best known as the site of Apache chief Victorio's last major battle with the U.S. Cavalry before his retreat and ultimate defeat by the Mexican army. Despite its geographic isolation, the watershed remains closely linked with the history of nearby Kingston, Hillsboro and Caballo. Once home to New Mexico's last grizzly, Las Animas sustains a diverse range of native plants and wild animals, including bison, prairie dogs and mountain lions, as well as a host of endangered species. Aldo Leopold Wilderness and Ted Turner's Ladder Ranch ensure it remains Rio de las Animas, the "River of Spirits." Wildlife research biologist Harley G. Shaw compiles a human and natural history of this remote ecosystem.

A Brief History of Phoenix

9781467118446

$21.99

Though the new metropolis is one of America's largest, many are unaware of Phoenix's rich and compelling history. Built on land once occupied by the most advanced pre-Columbian irrigation society, Phoenix overcame its hostile desert surroundings to become a thriving agricultural center. After World War II, its population exploded with the mid-century mass migration to the Sun Belt. In times of rapid expansion or decline, Phoenicians proved themselves to be adaptable and optimistic. Phoenix's past is an engaging and surprising story of audacity, vision, greed and a never-ending fight to secure its future. Chronicling the challenges of growth and change, fourth-generation Arizonan Jon Talton tells the story of the city that remains one of American civilization's great accomplishments.

The Houstorian Dictionary: An Insider's Index to Houston

9781467118002

$21.99

Houston is an innovative city informed by a diverse and eclectic past that is ever-present in its customs, expressions and dreams, even though most Houstonians don't realize it. Represented by landmarks, dishes and events, the culture of America's fourth-largest city is celebrated in the literature, movies, songs and memorable quotations credited to its vibrant citizenry. The Houstorian Dictionary is a guide for natives and newcomers alike. Each entry leads into the next to create a tapestry of the Bayou City's past and present. Discover that story and visit the places where it all happened. Meet the innovators, heroes, hucksters and misfit tinkerers who share the unique Houston DNA. The Houstorian, James Glassman, reveals valuable insights that make this a handy reference as well as an entertaining read.

The Houstorian Dictionary: An Insider's Index to Houston

Tamers of the Texas Frontier

9781467153508

$23.99

In the 1820s, Texas was a wilderness. Settlers thought it was uninhabited although rich with wild game. But many Native American tribes lived in Texas and were at war with the Spanish in Mexico. Mexico ignored Texas and did not try to inhabit this wilderness. Finally, in the late 1820s and early 1830s Stephen F. Austin was allowed to bring in three hundred Anglo settlers and Texas began to be civilized. But to start there was only one town, no roads, no bridges, no planted fields. Texas was starting from ground zero but started fast. They tamed the wilderness and fought the Indians. They got their independence from Mexico and became a Republic, soon a U S state. They established a stable government similar to the one in the US and developed the infrastructure for business and international commerce. In less than eighty years Texas had tamed the wild frontier and became a modern state in the United States. C. Herndon Williams has found forty-two stories that chart this progress.

Galveston's Maceo Family Empire

9781626197534

$23.99

At the dawn of the twentieth century, Galveston was a beacon of opportunity on the Texas Gulf Coast. Dubbed the "Wall Street of the Southwest," its laissez-faire reputation called those hungry for success to its shores. Led by brothers Salvatore and Rosario at the height of Prohibition, the Maceo family answered that call and changed the Oleander City forever. They built an island empire of gambling, smuggling and prostitution that lasted three decades. Housed in their nightclubs frequented by stars like Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra and Duke Ellington, they endeared themselves to their Galveston neighbors by sharing their profits, imitating crime syndicates in their native Sicily. Though certainly no saints, the Maceos helped bring prosperity to a community weary from a century of turmoil. Discover the history of Galveston's famous crime family with authors Nicole Boatman, Dr. Scott Belshaw and Texas historian Richard McCaslin.

Prescott's Original Whiskey Row

9781467117678

$21.99

Some of the oldest, most notorious saloons in the American West lined the streets of Prescott's Whiskey Row. Dating back to 1864, the remote mountain town thrived on its mining and cattle industries during the day and raised hell at night when dusty outlaws and pioneers like Virgil Earp and Doc Holliday crowded Row saloons to quench their thirsts. Whiskey Row bore witness to legendary gunfights, murders and other curious tales, like that of Baby Bell, aka Chance Cobweb Hall, known today as Arizona's most famous saloon story. From crooked gambling operations and barroom brawls to the devastating fire of 1900, author and historian Bradley G. Courtney explores the colorful stories of Whiskey Row.

Arizona Outlaws and Lawmen

9781626199323

$23.99

A refuge for outlaws at the close of the 1800s, the Arizona Territory was a wild, lawless land of greedy feuds, brutal killings and figures of enduring legend. These gunfighters included heroes as well as killers, and some were considered both. Bandit Pearl Hart committed one of the last recorded stagecoach robberies in the country, and James Addison Reavis pulled off the most extraordinary real estate scheme in the West. With fearless lawmen like C.P. Owens and George Ruffner at hand, swift justice was always nearby. In this collection, Arizona's official state historian and celebrated storyteller Marshall Trimble brings to life the rough-and-tumble characters from the Grand Canyon State's most terrific tales of outlawry and justice.

Austin Murder & Mayhem

9781626199170

$23.99

Beneath Austin's shiny veneer lies a dark past, filled with murder, lechery and deceit. Legislators, lawmen and lawyers killed, robbed and lied just as well and just as often as the drifters and grifters preying on newcomers. The nation's first known serial killer made his debut in Austin in the form of the Servant Girl Annihilator, who is still rumored to be Jack the Ripper. After the Willis brothers murdered their neighbors over rumored buried gold, a lynch mob hanged the boys from live oaks on present-day Sixth Street. Freshman representative Louis Franke died after he was robbed and beaten on the steps of the statehouse. Author Richard Zelade delivers a fascinating look at the seedier side of Austin history.

Galveston's Red Light District

9781467138833

$23.99

Known today as a colorful resort destination featuring family entertainment and a thriving arts district, Galveston was once notorious for its flourishing vice economy and infamous red-light district. Called simply "The Line," the unassuming five blocks of Postoffice Street came alive every night with wild parties and generous offerings of hourly love. A stubborn mainstay of the island cityscape for nearly seventy years, it finally shut down in the late 1950s. But ridding Galveston of prostitution would prove much more difficult than putting a padlock on the front door. Kimber Fountain pursues the sequestered story of women who wanted to make their own rules and the city that wanted to let them.

Canary Islanders of San Antonio

9781467138215

$23.99

Acting on a decree from the king of Spain, the first Canary Islanders arrived in San Antonio in 1731, just thirteen years after the city's founding. In the intervening centuries, the descendants of those sixteen families became inextricably intertwined with the story of their chosen home. From the formation of the first city council to the siege of the Alamo, they contributed to the formative moments of San Antonio's legacy. Several of these descendants collected oral family traditions and combed archival records to preserve this important thread running through the rich tapestry of San Antonio's heritage.

Classic Restaurants of Oklahoma City

9781467119214

$24.99

Some of Oklahoma City's earliest famous restaurants included a side of gambling, bootlegging and mayhem. Cattlemen's Café changed hands by a roll of the dice one Christmas. In more recent years, establishments like O'Mealey's and Adair's positioned the city's identity as a unique, groundbreaking culinary hub. The city became known as the Cafeteria Capital thanks to the revolutionary approach of a diminutive Kansas woman named Anna Maude Smith. Beverly's Chicken-in-the-Rough became a national fried-chicken franchise two decades before Harland Sanders sold his first drumstick. And world-renowned chef Rick Bayless first learned to cook at his parents' barbecue restaurant in south Oklahoma City. Join author Dave Cathey as he dishes on these delectable stories and more.

Wicked Prescott

9781467119528

$21.99

Swindlers, confidence men and outlaws--the mountain shadows and Ponderosa pines surrounding Prescott conceal their grim histories and crooked ways. The small hamlet turned mining town became Arizona's first capital in 1864, and with wealth and power came every type of vice and crime. One block west of the famed Whiskey Row, the roaring red-light district attracted ladies of easy virtue, who often became victims of crimes of passion and coldblooded murder. Legendary crook Fleming "Jim" Parker escaped from Yavapai County Jail on the back of the sheriff's stolen horse. Cattle rustlers terrorized nearby ranches, while tavern brawls and liquor-fueled shootouts dominated newspaper headlines. More than ten legal hangings brought criminals to justice. Local author Parker Anderson recounts these and more wicked misdeeds from Prescott's wild early days.

Frontier Forts and Outposts of New Mexico

9781467140782

$23.99

The frontier spirit of New Mexico is celebrated in this memorable history of over two dozens forts and military outposts.

Life in early New Mexico was often perilous. Geographic isolation attracted outlaws and ruffians, and skirmishes often arose between the indigenous tribes and settlers. In response, the U.S. government set up military forts and outposts to protect its new citizens. These strongholds include Fort Craig, where logs were made to look like cannons to fool Confederate troops. Kit Carson, John Pershing and Billy the Kid all called Fort Stanton home, before it became the first federal tuberculosis sanatorium and later a detention center for German prisoners of war. Author Donna Blake Birchell relates little-known yet highly important Civil War battles, the tragedies of the Navajo and Mescalero Apache internments and other dramatic frontier stories.

Frontier Forts and Outposts of New Mexico

Phoenix Beer

9781467140980

$23.99

Phoenix's brewing history dates back to the mid-1800s, when small breweries had to contend with brackish water, searing desert heat and no refrigeration. By the time Prohibition arrived, the state's breweries were tapped out. It wasn't until the 1930s that Arizona Brewing Company left the first indelible mark on the Copper State's thirst. When its last call came, a new force called Four Peaks rose from the ashes as majestically as the mountains for which it is named. Author Dave Clark guides you from the area's beer icons of yesterday to the rapidly evolving brewing scene of today. Discover and appreciate Phoenix beer, from the classic, clean pilsner from Helton Brewing that rivals Germany's best to Fate's local taste of the Southwest, Hatch Chile Gatos.

New Mexico Death Rituals

9781467142076

$23.99

New Mexico's harsh terrain, countless wars and epidemics were a challenging and fascinating environment for the many cultures and peoples who settled there. When tragedy struck, their faith and religious rituals allowed them to mourn, celebrate and commemorate their dead. From Pueblo Indians and Spanish colonists to Jewish immigrants and American veterans, many old traditions have endured and blended into modern society. The area is also home to many unique death sites, including the graves of Smokey Bear and Billy the Kid, and the largest contemporary collection of human bones in the world. Author Ana Pacheco guides you through the history of Christmas death rituals, roadside descansos, communal smallpox graves, Civil War memorials and more.

Haunted Flagstaff

9781467150699

$21.99

The spirits of the Old West are alive and kicking in Flagstaff.

Once home to outlaws and pioneers, many former residents of this small mountain town never left. Read about the ghosts of the Weatherford Hotel, where strange sightings and disturbing events aren't just confined to the Zane Grey Ballroom. Step inside the Hotel Monte Vista, where locals swear that the Grizzly Meat Man still roams the hallways. Discover the historic train depot, an eternal home to those departed souls that once worked the rails, including a ghostly former train conductor.

Join author Susan Johnson as she uncovers the supernatural side of Flagstaff's fascinating history.

Cover image for Haunted Flagstaff, isbn: 9781467150699

Texas Boomtowns

9781467118231

$21.99

On January 10, 1901, Beaumont awoke to the historic roar of the Spindletop gusher. A flood of frantic fortune seekers heard its call and quickly descended on the town. Over the next three decades, Texas's first oil rush transformed the sparsely populated rural state practically beyond recognition. Brothels, bordellos and slums overran sleepy towns, and thick, black oil spilled over once-green pastures. While dreams came true for a precious few, most settled for high-risk, dangerous jobs in the oilfields and passed what spare time they had in the vice districts fueled by crude. From the violent shanties of Desdemona and Mexia to Borger and beyond, wildcat speculators, grifters and barons took the land for all it was worth. Author Bartee Haile explores the story of these wild and wooly boomtowns.

Murder & Mayhem on the Texas Rails

9781467151450

$21.99

Texas has a long, romantic history when it comes to railroads. But even though steam engines and streetcars offer nonstop service to Nostalgia City, there's a dark side to Texas rail. The Black Widow of Fort Worth engineered a fatal double-cross at a railroad crossing. The Mountaineer Madman brought death to the Texas Electric Railway, while the Trolley Bandit terrorized the citizens of El Paso. From a freak accident involving a banana peel to a tragic trip to see Santa Claus, Jeff Campbell and the staff of the Interurban Railway Museum cross the Lone Star State on trains derailed by murder and mayhem.

San Antonio Beer:

9781467118781

$21.99

Haunted Denton

9781467151528

$21.99

Follow a trail of Denton ghost stories from nineteenth-century pioneers and outlaws to modern-day businessmen who don't intend to clock out. Locals report that John B. Denton still roams the grounds of the courthouse lawn and keeps watch over his namesake town square from an upper window. The 1949 Campus Theatre is said to be haunted by the playful spirit of J.P. Harrison, the first general manager of the building. Historic restaurants like Cartwright's Ranch House and Killer's Tacos pair the occasional full-body apparition with their delicious menus. From the specter showing up in a selfie at Dix Coney Island to a phantom threading its way through Rose's Costume shop, Teal Gray captures the haunted heritage of this fascinating Texas town.

The Phoenix Sound: A History of Twang and Rockabilly Music in Arizona

9781467118989

$21.99

The Phoenix Sound: A History of Twang and Rockabilly Music in Arizona

Rio Grande Sniper Killings, The

9781467153430

$23.99

Untangle the complex conspiracy that led to the tragic deaths of Charlotte Kay Elliott and Kevin Edwin Frase on the banks of the Rio Grande. On the night of July 13, 1980, a hitman fired a high-powered rifle into the crowd at Pepe's On the River, an outdoor bar in Mission, Texas. He missed his target, a witness in the Loop 360 drug case, but killed two young bystanders. While state court prosecutions for capital murder inexplicably faltered, a federal court gave the assassin a life sentence for attempted murder of a grand jury witness. A member of the judge's staff who was present throughout the trial, author John W. Primomo revisits the dramatic twists and turns surrounding this murder on the Rio Grande.