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Forty Years at El Paso 1858-1898
This collection of literature attempts to compile many of the classic works that have stood the test of time and offer them at a reduced, affordable price, in an attractive volume so that everyone can enjoy them.
60 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1901
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July 20, 2015
For a challenge task I needed a book set in my hometown. I decided to count El Paso, Texas as that hometown since I lived more years there (almost 25) than anywhere else. So that is why I read this book, which is mostly a collection of personal odds and ends told by Mills about the forty years he spent in El Paso when it was a rough, tough, lawless frontier town.
The beginning sections were most interesting for me. I never learned much history about El Paso when I was there. I was 11 when I first arrived and deeply resented the fact that my family had moved there at all. I didn't want to learn anything about the place. But as I read this book, I discovered a bit of history about El Paso's role in the Civil War; about the way politics shaped the life of our author and the city both; and about the type of man who was drawn to such a spot out on the fringe of civilization. Here is the author's statement about that topic, talking about the El Paso of 1858: The men who, for whatever reasons, had made their way to this distant frontier, were nearly all men of character; not all of good character, certainly, but of positive, assertive individual character, with strong personality and self-reliance. (The weaklings remained at home.)
While I did find this little book mostly interesting, I have to agree with the author's "A Warning" before the book actually begins: These writings are meant to be truthful, but they are too rambling and egotistical to possess much historical value. Few subjects are treated of except such as the writer was personally connected with or in which he felt a special interest. Much that he was tempted to write has been omitted out of consideration for the living and the dead and their relations. The book will have little interest except for those who know something of El Paso or of the men and events treated of, or of the writer himself. ~~ W. W. Mills, 1901
This book may not have thrilled me, but it did give me a nudge to look for more books about El Paso. I have just one issue with Mills: it is quite trivial, but I can't help being curious. Why did he name his second team of mules 'Insect' and 'Fairy'?!
The beginning sections were most interesting for me. I never learned much history about El Paso when I was there. I was 11 when I first arrived and deeply resented the fact that my family had moved there at all. I didn't want to learn anything about the place. But as I read this book, I discovered a bit of history about El Paso's role in the Civil War; about the way politics shaped the life of our author and the city both; and about the type of man who was drawn to such a spot out on the fringe of civilization. Here is the author's statement about that topic, talking about the El Paso of 1858: The men who, for whatever reasons, had made their way to this distant frontier, were nearly all men of character; not all of good character, certainly, but of positive, assertive individual character, with strong personality and self-reliance. (The weaklings remained at home.)
While I did find this little book mostly interesting, I have to agree with the author's "A Warning" before the book actually begins: These writings are meant to be truthful, but they are too rambling and egotistical to possess much historical value. Few subjects are treated of except such as the writer was personally connected with or in which he felt a special interest. Much that he was tempted to write has been omitted out of consideration for the living and the dead and their relations. The book will have little interest except for those who know something of El Paso or of the men and events treated of, or of the writer himself. ~~ W. W. Mills, 1901
This book may not have thrilled me, but it did give me a nudge to look for more books about El Paso. I have just one issue with Mills: it is quite trivial, but I can't help being curious. Why did he name his second team of mules 'Insect' and 'Fairy'?!
Displaying 1 of 1 review