Love Lessons from the Old West: Wisdom From Wild Women

by Chris Enss

Overview

From Calamity Jane’s relentless pursuit of Wild Bill Hickok to Emma Walters, who gave it all up for the dashing Bat Masterson—and learned to regret it, these romantic stories from the Old West are still familiar and entertaining to readers today. Meet Agnes Lake Hickok, the intrepid wife of Wild Bill Hickok and learn about the last love letter he sent before being dealt the dead man’s hand. Learn the story behind the charming performer Lotta Crabtree’s heartaches. And discover the tale of the dashing Kit Carson and his beautiful bride. This collection features the lessons learned by and from the antics of the women who shaped the West.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762774005
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	01/14/2014
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	168
Sales rank:	629,065
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Chris Enss is an author, scriptwriter and comedienne who has written for television and film, and performed on cruise ships and on stage. She has worked with award-winning musicians, writers, directors, producers, and as a screenwriter for Tricor Entertainment, but her passion is for telling the stories of the men and women who shaped the history and mythology of the American West. Some of the most famous names in history, not to mention film and popular culture, populate her books. She reveals the stories behind the many romances of William "Buffalo Bill" Cody who moved on from his career as a scout on the plains to bring the enormously successful performance spectacle of Buffalo Bill's Wild West to audiences throughout the United States and Europe between 1883 and 1916. And she tells the stories of the many talented and daring women performed alongside men in the Wild West shows, who changed the way the world thought about women forever through the demonstration of their skills. Chris brings her sensitive eye and respect for their work to her stories of more contemporary American entertainers, as well. Her books reveal the lives of John Wayne, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, bringing to light stories gleaned from family interviews and archives. The most famous American couple of the 19th Century, General George Armstrong Custer and Elizabeth Bacon Custer draws her scrutiny as well. None Wounded, None Missing, All Dead reveals the personality of the fiery, lively Libbie and her lifelong effort to burnish her husband's reputation. Chris takes readers along the trail with the Intrepid Posse as their horses thunder after the murderer of Dodge City dance hall favorite Dora Hand, and she turns her attention to the famous Sam Sixkiller, legendary Cherokee sherriff, but perhaps most extraordinary are the stories of the ordinary men and women who shaped American history when they came west as schoolmarms, gold miners, madams, and mail-order brides.

Table of Contents

Foreword Brenda Novak ix

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction xiii

Agnes Lake: Love and the Pistolero 1

Etta Place: Love and the Outlaw 13

Emma Walter: Love and the Pugilist 21

Lotta Crabtree: Love and the Matriarch 35

Maria Josefa Jaramillo: Love and the Explorer 49

Luzena Stanley Wilson: Love and the Gold Miner 63

Zoe Agnes Stratton: Love and the Lawman 77

Calamity Jane: Love and the Legend 87

Geronimo's Wives: Love and the Indian Chief 101

Eleanora Dumont: Love and the Journalist 111

Notes 119

Bibliography 140

About the Author 147

Editorial Reviews

Once again Chris Enss delivers to us the historical facts of women who loved and lost in the American Old West.  We discover through her eyes, the respect and admiration the opposite sexes had for each other in a time of hardship and peril where love reigned true.  Take this journey back in time and realize that the west was won by not only men but by the women who loved them.

-Cheryl Brand aka “Slipnoose”, Single Action Shooting Society

Chris Enss has the remarkable talent of bringing old west characters to life. In Chris’ latest work, she introduces legendary women such as Calamity Jane and women not so well known; but who should be known for their grit and fortitude. Chris gleans from their lives and the lives of their men folk “Love Lessons” some to follow and some to avoid. Read this book you will not be disappointed.

—Bill Markley, Member of Western Writers of America

From Etta Place and her relationship with Butch and Sundance in Bolivia, to Deadwood City with Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok, to Dodge City with Zoe Stratton and beyond, “Love Lessons Learned by Women of The Old West” is a joy to read.  This is a journey through the Old West meeting famous women who stood tough and braved what few other women would dare.  These are stories you won’t forget.

-Howard Kazanjian

Chris Enss had produced a marvelous collection of Victorian Western women’s stories in Love Lessons Learned. These ladies, who were looking for love, had the determination and drive every pioneer possessed. Some found true love, while others died with broken hearts. Laugh, smile, and cry with Agnes, Lotta, Maria, and other hopeless romantics living on the frontier.

—Sherry Monahan, Contributing Editor, True West magazine, VP, Western Writers of America

From the Publisher