America's “Old West” from Old West Books

Old West Books has issued their Catalog 65 May 2024. The bookseller's name well describes almost everything in the catalogue, though we do note one item that goes back to the time when the western half of the eastern states was still the “West.” There is not much fiction in these titles though there is a fair amount of exaggeration. Tall tales were part of the western tradition. Gen. Custer's name shows up through many of the items, but my guess is that, post 1876, mentioning his name would have been a good way to sell books. America has long been fascinated by him, not so much for his life but for how it ended. Here are a few of the books you will find in this latest old western collection.

We will begin with one of those exciting stories of the Old West which apparently has its share of exaggeration. The title is Life and Adventures of L. D. Lafferty; Being a True Biography of one of the Most Remarkable Men of the Great Southwest, from an Adventurous Boyhood in Arkansas, through a Protracted Life of Almost Unparalleled Sufferings and Hairbreadth Escapes upon the Frontier of Texas; in which are Given Many Highly interesting incidents in the Early History of the Republic of Texas, with a Brief Review of Affairs in Mexico during the Same Period. Wow. The author is A. H. Abney, the publication date (first edition) 1875. Graff said of it, “The author used his imagination freely in describing his cowboy adventures in Arkansas and Texas.” Howes USIANA tersely says, “Purportedly a true biography; easy to read, but hard to swallow.” Or, from Raines, “Exciting adventures, richly embroidered.” Then again, could it really be about the Old West, and Texas no less, without some embroidery? Lafferty hunted for gold, raised stock for a while, participated in James Long's attempt to establish an independent government in Texas around 1820 (it failed), fought various Indian tribes but lived with the Cherokee, captured horse thieves, met with Sam Houston, met with the French pirate Jean Lafitte on Galveston Island, and much more. Sure, there is embellishment here, but still, Lorenzo Dow Lafferty must have lived one very exciting life. Item 1. Priced at $4,750.

A few ventured into the West on covered wagons, but what really opened it to settlement was the railroads. Naturally, the trains also brought train robbers. Someone's always looking for a fast buck. Here is a scarce item about these unsavory people: Train Robberies, Train Robbers and The "Holdup" men. Address by William A. Pinkerton, Annual Convention, International Association Chiefs of Police, Jamestown, Va., 1907. Pinkerton, unsurprisingly, was from the detective agency Pinkertons. The Pinkertons knew them all, Jesse and Frank James, Cole and the Youngers, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the Sontags, Black Bart, Charlie Ford, and many more. There are 46 portraits of these gentlemen in the book. Item 43. $1,000.

Next is a Report of a Visit to some of the Tribes of Indians located West of the Mississippi River by Joseph Lang and Samuel Taylor, Jr. Published in 1843, it reports on a visit by Quakers to the western Indians in the second half of 1842. They visited Indians from Arkansas to Iowa, then the western frontier. They met with many tribes, including those from the West but also others, such as the Cherokee and Choctaw, that had been forcibly removed from their eastern homelands to make way for European-American settlers. According to mid-20^th century bookseller Cedric Robinson, “With few exceptions, they found squalor and poverty; the frontier dominated by whiskey sellers and unprincipled traders who disparaged agriculture and education among the Indians.” It would only get worse as settlers moved farther and farther west, taking more Indian land and making their traditional way of life untenable. Item 29. $125.

Those who came out west in the 19^th century had to expect all sorts of challenges, difficulties, and a very rough time. But, all rules have an exception. One who didn't have to rough it was Grand Duke Alexis of Russia. He came to America on a goodwill trip, visiting the East, Canada, Florida and New Orleans, and met with President Grant. Among the items on his itinerary was a visit to the West. His hosts made sure everything was perfect for such a dignitary even under the rough conditions of the West. Buffalo Bill was the premier host, but Generals Sheridan and Custer, along with several Sioux Chiefs, participated. Carriages accompanied the trip supplying gourmet foods, champagne and other spirits. Luxurious tents sported oriental rugs on the floor. There was entertainment, with the Indians putting on shows of horsemanship. During the day, the participants went on hunts, with the Grand Duke nabbing a couple of buffalo. A souvenir book was created for the party by William Tucker, His Imperial Highness The Grand Duke Alexis In The United States Of America During the Winter Of 1871-72. This is not the usual copy of the book found in America. Some of the print run of 212 have Tucker's name on the title page. These are ones that were sent to Russia. This copy was purchased from a Swedish dealer in 1990 who said his father obtained it in Russia, which would explain it having Tucker's name on the title page. Item 62. $25,000.

The aforementioned Gen. Philip Sheridan, after serving a major role in the Union victory in the Civil War, headed west to be an Indian fighter. Lincoln famously described him as “A brown, chunky little chap, with a long body, short legs, not enough neck to hang him, and such long arms that if his ankles itch he can scratch them without stooping.” Nevertheless, he was a tough man, and he took seriously the task of forcing the western Indians onto the reservations regardless of how they felt about it, unafraid to use brutal tactics on occasion. Sheridan was said to be the source of the quote “the only good Indian is a dead Indian,” though he surely never actually said such a thing. Sheridan supervised the campaign against the Sioux that resulted in his friend, Gen. George Armstrong Custer, meeting his untimely end (but greater lasting fame than his boss). Item 51 is Sheridan's account of the Indian wars, Record of Engagements with Hostile Indians within the Military Division of the Missouri, from 1868 to 1882, published in 1882. It is inscribed, “Compliments of Lt. Gen. Sheridan.” It contains brief descriptions of some 400 engagements that effectively ended what was left of the traditional life of the Plains Indians. $2,950.

Old West Books may be reached at 719-260-6030 or oldwestbooks@earthlink.net. Their website is www.oldwestbooks.com.