John C. Horst's Blog, page 44
February 20, 2012
Truth is stranger than fiction, part five
In The Mule Tamer, Chica is reunited with her childhood friend Joaquin who is now an exhibit in a traveling show. Joaquin is hairy from head to toe. The real Jo Jo, the dog-faced boy was an immigrant from Russia by the name of Fedor Jeftichew brought to America by P.T. Barnum in 1884 as a lad of sixteen. Fedor spoke Russian, German and English. He died in 1904
February 18, 2012
Kirkus Review of The Mule Tamer
"A mighty fine, meandering Western" ~ Kirkus Reviews
February 14, 2012
The Mule Tamer is free all day on February 15th
http://www.themuletamer.com/where-to-buy.html
Please check it out, starting at midnight tonight.
Please check it out, starting at midnight tonight.
February 10, 2012
Day of the Dead Bread: Pan de Muertos
In The Mule Tamer, Pilar makes Pan de Muertos for Arvel when he goes off to join the posse responsible for capturing the Knudsen's killers. Here is a recipe for Pan de Muertos courtesy of Karen Hursh Graber Senior Food Editor for Mexconnect.
This is a version of the bread that is made for the November 2 celebration known as the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico. You can also mold the bread into different shapes like angels and animals. Ingredientes - Ingredients:
Preparation:
Mix all dry ingredients together except the 3 - 4 1/2 cups of flour.
In a small pan, heat the milk, the water, and the butter. Add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture.
Beat well.
Mix in the eggs and 1 1/2 cups of flour. Beat well.
Put in the rest of the flour, little by little.
Knead the mixture on a floured board for 9 - 10 minutes.
Put the dough in a greased bowl and allow it to rise until it has doubled in size (about an hour and a half at sea level).
Punch the dough down and reshape it with some "bone" shapes on top to decorate it.
Let it rise another hour.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 40 minutes.
After baking, sprinkle it with confectioner's sugar and colored sugar.
Preparación:
Mezcle todos los ingredientes secos menos las 3 - 4 1/2 tazas de harina.
En una olla caliente la leche, el agua y la mantequilla. Añada la mezcla líquida a la mezcla de ingredientes secos.
Bátalo bien.
Agregue los huevos y una taza y media de harina. Bátalo bien.
Agregue el resto de la harina poco a poco.
Sobre una tabla enharinada, amase por unos 9 - 10 minutos la mezcla.
Ponga la masa en un recipiente engrasado, y deje que levante hasta que haya doblado su tamaño (aproximadamente hora y media al nivel del mar).
Para que la masa se encoja, déle puñetazos y fórmela de nuevo con unos "huesos" de masa encima para decorarla.
Deje que levante una hora más.
Hornee a 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) por unos 40 minutos.
Después de hornearlo, espolvoréele azúcar glas y azúcar coloreado.
http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/2378-day-of-the-dead-bread-pan-de-muertos
This is a version of the bread that is made for the November 2 celebration known as the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico. You can also mold the bread into different shapes like angels and animals. Ingredientes - Ingredients:
Preparation:
Mix all dry ingredients together except the 3 - 4 1/2 cups of flour.
In a small pan, heat the milk, the water, and the butter. Add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture.
Beat well.
Mix in the eggs and 1 1/2 cups of flour. Beat well.
Put in the rest of the flour, little by little.
Knead the mixture on a floured board for 9 - 10 minutes.
Put the dough in a greased bowl and allow it to rise until it has doubled in size (about an hour and a half at sea level).
Punch the dough down and reshape it with some "bone" shapes on top to decorate it.
Let it rise another hour.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 40 minutes.
After baking, sprinkle it with confectioner's sugar and colored sugar.
Preparación:
Mezcle todos los ingredientes secos menos las 3 - 4 1/2 tazas de harina.
En una olla caliente la leche, el agua y la mantequilla. Añada la mezcla líquida a la mezcla de ingredientes secos.
Bátalo bien.
Agregue los huevos y una taza y media de harina. Bátalo bien.
Agregue el resto de la harina poco a poco.
Sobre una tabla enharinada, amase por unos 9 - 10 minutos la mezcla.
Ponga la masa en un recipiente engrasado, y deje que levante hasta que haya doblado su tamaño (aproximadamente hora y media al nivel del mar).
Para que la masa se encoja, déle puñetazos y fórmela de nuevo con unos "huesos" de masa encima para decorarla.
Deje que levante una hora más.
Hornee a 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) por unos 40 minutos.
Después de hornearlo, espolvoréele azúcar glas y azúcar coloreado.
http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/2378-day-of-the-dead-bread-pan-de-muertos
February 1, 2012
Burt Mossman, first Captain of Arizona Rangers
In The Mule Tamer, the Arizona Rangers were formed in 1892 and featured co-Captains, Arvel Walsh and Dick Welles. The real Arizona Rangers did not come into existence until 1901 and the first Captain was Burt Mossman, who was born in 1867 in Illinois, He was a farmer, a rancher, a cattleman, Rough Rider, he spoke Spanish and was a great storyteller. Mossman was commanding Captain from August 30, 1901 until August 1902. Rumors had it that Mossman did not want to work under a new governor.
January 24, 2012
Truth is stranger than fiction, part four
In The Mule Tamer, the Knudsen family are slaughtered by a band of outlaws. Take a look at an historical account of a similar attack, well into the twentieth century:
Ogden Standard-Examiner / August 28, 1921
American and Mexican Forces Join in Search for Nogales Raiders
NOGALES, Arizona, Aug. 27 - American border patrols, detachments of cavalry, Arizona "line riders" and Mexican federal troops tonight joined in an international search for seven Mexican bandits who brutally murdered Frank J. Pearson, postmaster at Ruby, Arizona, and his wife late yesterday.
Mrs. Pearson's head was severed by the bandits after she had been attacked.
The search for the bandits was picked up by American troops from border patrols at the direction of Francis J. Dyer, American consul at Nogales, Sonora, while Governor Francisco Elias, of Sonora, ordered the Mexican detachment into action. A sheriff's posse had lost the bandits' trail at the border after a sixty-mile pursuit through Arizona. Miss Irene Purcell, 18-year-old sister of Mrs. Pearson, was shot in the hand while fleeing the bandits during the attack on the Pearson home. She carried the five-year-old daughter of the Pearsons 12 miles across the plains to Arivaca where she notified army officials of the attack.
She was enabled to flee from the house when her sister Elizabeth, 15 years old, staged a hand-to-hand battle with the Mexicans. The younger girl was badly beaten by the bandits.
According to the story of Miss Purcell, the gang, which numbered seven men, mounted and armed, appeared yesterday morning from the Mexican border, three miles south of Ruby and shot Pearson, who was standing in front of the postoffice building, also used as a store and residence.
Mrs. Pearson saw her husband killed and, taking a rifle, went to the door of their home to answer the fire. She fell dead when several bullets from a volley fired by the bandits pierced her body.
The gang then closed in on the house in which were the two Purcell sisters and the Pearson child. They entered the building and attempted to molest the women. The elder sister then fled while Elizabeth put up a terrific hand-to-hand battle, engaging the attention of the bandits.
Ogden Standard-Examiner / August 28, 1921
American and Mexican Forces Join in Search for Nogales Raiders
NOGALES, Arizona, Aug. 27 - American border patrols, detachments of cavalry, Arizona "line riders" and Mexican federal troops tonight joined in an international search for seven Mexican bandits who brutally murdered Frank J. Pearson, postmaster at Ruby, Arizona, and his wife late yesterday.
Mrs. Pearson's head was severed by the bandits after she had been attacked.
The search for the bandits was picked up by American troops from border patrols at the direction of Francis J. Dyer, American consul at Nogales, Sonora, while Governor Francisco Elias, of Sonora, ordered the Mexican detachment into action. A sheriff's posse had lost the bandits' trail at the border after a sixty-mile pursuit through Arizona. Miss Irene Purcell, 18-year-old sister of Mrs. Pearson, was shot in the hand while fleeing the bandits during the attack on the Pearson home. She carried the five-year-old daughter of the Pearsons 12 miles across the plains to Arivaca where she notified army officials of the attack.
She was enabled to flee from the house when her sister Elizabeth, 15 years old, staged a hand-to-hand battle with the Mexicans. The younger girl was badly beaten by the bandits.
According to the story of Miss Purcell, the gang, which numbered seven men, mounted and armed, appeared yesterday morning from the Mexican border, three miles south of Ruby and shot Pearson, who was standing in front of the postoffice building, also used as a store and residence.
Mrs. Pearson saw her husband killed and, taking a rifle, went to the door of their home to answer the fire. She fell dead when several bullets from a volley fired by the bandits pierced her body.
The gang then closed in on the house in which were the two Purcell sisters and the Pearson child. They entered the building and attempted to molest the women. The elder sister then fled while Elizabeth put up a terrific hand-to-hand battle, engaging the attention of the bandits.
January 20, 2012
Truth is stranger than fiction, part three
In The Mule Tamer, Chica is too late to save the poor Mexican soldier from his torture and eventual murder. Read an historical account of the Mexican scout who suffered similarly at the hands of the Yaquis:
The Washington Post / Dec 8, 1902
"California Dan" Ryan Meets with a Tragic Death at Hands of the Yaquis.
Atlanta, Ga., Dec. 7. -- A special to the Constitution from Bisbee, Ariz., says:
Col. Kosterlitski, commanding the international boundary riders of Sonora, Mexico, has just received from the mayor of Rio Yaqui, a letter giving an account of the tragic death of "California Dan" Ryan, chief of scouts under Gen. Louis Torres, at Torin, November 23. Ryan and George W. Wilson were sent out on a scout. They were surprised and taken prisoners by the Yaquis, tried by a council of war, and "California Dan" condemned to death. Wilson was acquitted.
In the presence of Wilson, the Yaquis, with dull saws, cut off the feet of "California Dan" just above the ankles. After this they unbound him and told him to go back to duty to Torres. By goading him, they compelled him to walk beyond their intrenchments, only to fall dead in the bush, 100 yards beyond their stronghold. The next morning the Yaquis took the body of "California Dan" and suspended it from the limb of a tree growing by the road. Wilson was then released and told by the Mexicans to bury the body.
The Washington Post / Dec 8, 1902
"California Dan" Ryan Meets with a Tragic Death at Hands of the Yaquis.
Atlanta, Ga., Dec. 7. -- A special to the Constitution from Bisbee, Ariz., says:
Col. Kosterlitski, commanding the international boundary riders of Sonora, Mexico, has just received from the mayor of Rio Yaqui, a letter giving an account of the tragic death of "California Dan" Ryan, chief of scouts under Gen. Louis Torres, at Torin, November 23. Ryan and George W. Wilson were sent out on a scout. They were surprised and taken prisoners by the Yaquis, tried by a council of war, and "California Dan" condemned to death. Wilson was acquitted.
In the presence of Wilson, the Yaquis, with dull saws, cut off the feet of "California Dan" just above the ankles. After this they unbound him and told him to go back to duty to Torres. By goading him, they compelled him to walk beyond their intrenchments, only to fall dead in the bush, 100 yards beyond their stronghold. The next morning the Yaquis took the body of "California Dan" and suspended it from the limb of a tree growing by the road. Wilson was then released and told by the Mexicans to bury the body.
January 16, 2012
Truth is Stranger than Fiction, Part Two
In The Mule Tamer, Ashtoreth was a young woman caught up in the mystique of the dime novels of the old west.. Take a look at a real aspiring female cowboy from the era:
SHE WANTED TO BE A COWBOY.
Freak of Sixteen-Year-Old Girl In California.
Published in The Galveston Daily News / October 23, 1883
STOCKTON, Cal., October 23. -- [Special] -- Mary Abbott, 16 years old, was captured at Trowbridge Saturday night after an exciting chase. She is the victim of dime novels and says she wants to be a cowboy. Her father says Mary declared her intention to become a cowboy while en route to California. Two or three times she has arisen at night, saddled a pony, and with provisions, camping outfit and pistols, started for the mountains. She was, however, each time brought back by neighbors.
Saturday Mary started out again, first going to her father's barn, with two pistols. She remained there several hours and when discovered fired a shot, scattering her pursuers. A parson ventured into the barn, hoping to quiet the girl, but she thrust a pistol into his face and he retired. Mary soon ran out of the barn and made for the river. The crowd started after her. At length a constable fired two shots over her head, which startled her and she sprang into some hushes, which stopped her progress and she was captured.
SHE WANTED TO BE A COWBOY.
Freak of Sixteen-Year-Old Girl In California.
Published in The Galveston Daily News / October 23, 1883
STOCKTON, Cal., October 23. -- [Special] -- Mary Abbott, 16 years old, was captured at Trowbridge Saturday night after an exciting chase. She is the victim of dime novels and says she wants to be a cowboy. Her father says Mary declared her intention to become a cowboy while en route to California. Two or three times she has arisen at night, saddled a pony, and with provisions, camping outfit and pistols, started for the mountains. She was, however, each time brought back by neighbors.
Saturday Mary started out again, first going to her father's barn, with two pistols. She remained there several hours and when discovered fired a shot, scattering her pursuers. A parson ventured into the barn, hoping to quiet the girl, but she thrust a pistol into his face and he retired. Mary soon ran out of the barn and made for the river. The crowd started after her. At length a constable fired two shots over her head, which startled her and she sprang into some hushes, which stopped her progress and she was captured.
January 13, 2012
Truth is stranger than fiction Part One
Chica is certainly a larger-than-life character, but could she have really existed? According to the Davenport (Iowa) Weekly Leader / March 14, 1902 a certain young woman sharing many of her qualities did:
Cora Chiquita, Female Desperado, Runs Amok
Santa Rosa, N.M., March 12.— The peace officers of this county are looking for Cora Chiquita, known as "Cora the Cowgirl," who made a sensation here on Friday night by riding up and down the main street, a revolver in each hand, yelling and shooting at everyone whose appearance did not suit her fancy.
Not until the girl, who is known far and wide as "the beautiful devil," had loped out of town did the sheriff and his posse show their heads.
La Chiquita is one of the best shots in New Mexico, and is said to be in close touch with a bad gang of outlaws in the southwest. She is 23 years old, pretty as a picture, about a quarter-blood Cherokee, wears man's attire, always carries two revolvers and is a fearless rider. Not long ago she was driven out of Arizona for general reckless shooting. She has killed several men.
Cora Chiquita, Female Desperado, Runs Amok
Santa Rosa, N.M., March 12.— The peace officers of this county are looking for Cora Chiquita, known as "Cora the Cowgirl," who made a sensation here on Friday night by riding up and down the main street, a revolver in each hand, yelling and shooting at everyone whose appearance did not suit her fancy.
Not until the girl, who is known far and wide as "the beautiful devil," had loped out of town did the sheriff and his posse show their heads.
La Chiquita is one of the best shots in New Mexico, and is said to be in close touch with a bad gang of outlaws in the southwest. She is 23 years old, pretty as a picture, about a quarter-blood Cherokee, wears man's attire, always carries two revolvers and is a fearless rider. Not long ago she was driven out of Arizona for general reckless shooting. She has killed several men.
