| On the Subject of the WWHA Journal |
5/4/2008 |
Having recently received the second issue of the WWHA Journal, I feel confident in saying the first issue was no fluke. See, I believed the first issue to be the most informative and interesting magazine ever published in the Old West genre. Said opinion may have been colored, as I found a gem, hidden in the footnotes of John and Karen Tanner's article on the Logan, New Mexico train robbery, revealing a character I was working on, who was believed to have disappeared into the teeming masses, was actually active in law enforcement well past the end of the 19th century. I immediately contacted the authors and they graciously shared their documentation with me. But, while waiting for the Tanner's to respond to my near hysterical inquiry, I had the pleasure of reading an exceptional story by Bob DeArment filling in the background of John Vaden, a man old west fans know was killed by the noted gunslinger, Ben Daniels. Or was he? DeArment, as I read on, swapped horses and spent several pages describing two Ben Daniels and coming to the conclusion, Varden was not put to rest by the gunnie we had all thought "done the deed." And, then that rascal DeArment, left us all wanting more by challenging readers to fill in the blanks on Varden's slayer. This article finished, I jumped into Mark Dworkin's recounting of the slaying of Los Angles, California, Police Chief Walter H. Auble by Carl Sutherland, a nephew of Wyatt Earp. After opening with an explanation of the Earp/Sutherland connection, Dworkin recounted the events of the Auble homicide, revealing the character of the man in the process. And, then to make sure his audience wasn't bored, Dworkin filled us hard core buffs in on the history of the Sutherland family. By this time, my brain was feeling stuffed, but having come so far, I decided to read the last article, one by John Boessenecker discussing the coinage of the term "gunfighter." Then, to make his point, Mr. B. turned the telling over to folks who lived in the era with the reprinting of two newspaper features dating to 1888 and 1889 discussing the qualities and skills were necessary to qualify as a gunfighter. Finally sated, I laid the journal aside, fully confident I had read the best articles ever.
Then, the gods of reading cast upon me issue number two. The first story out of the chute was Corey Recko's rendering of the life of Pinkerton Operative John C. Frasher. Corey did a masterful job of summarizing the infamous murder investigation of Albert Fountain while putting meat on the bones of the illusive detective, Frasher. He then gave seldom seen insights into the inner workings of the best known detective agency in history while finishing Frasher's biography. When he was finished, I felt as if I really knew the man. This piece was followed by Roger Myers giving readers an honest look at a chapter of another Old West legend, Bat Masterson. Having spent part of my growing up years within 13 miles of Dodge City, I thought I knew Bat and the politics of Ford County, Kansas. Roger proved me wrong and in the process fleshed out a couple of characters I had always been curious about. And, if Roger's trampling of my historic ego wasn't enough, the story following, by Pam Potter and regarding the Considine boys of Seattle, Washington humbled me in more ways than one. Having read almost everything written on Wyatt Earp, I figured I knew his story pretty well too. Pam proved me wrong with a crisp, easy on the eye story called "Boss Sport of the Tenderloin" wherein she explained the life and character of one of Earp's foes after Tombstone. I have to admit, having this information, even at this late date, helps me understand the Earp story better. The fourth story of issue number two was by Chris Brown, and carried the simple title of "Harry Brown, Express Messenger." The story too, was straightforward, but thoroughly enjoyable. It was the tale of a common man, one with minimal connection to the big names of the West and his missteps while trying to live up to the celebrity accorded him by a truly courageous act. Then, when Brown is suddenly killed, the author winds his story up by following the man who shot Messenger Brown to his inglorious end. I like that as it's the type of detail missing when the purpose to aggrandize rather than enlighten and, to me at least, completes the tale.
It occurs to me I forgot to mention each issue is chock full of illustrations, generally first time or one of a kind photos, along with maps when needed, and even copies of specific period newspaper articles. I should also mention each issue has a book review section whose articles are completed by knowledgeable historians. There is also a listing of books hot off the press with instructions on where to find them, cost, etc. So, if you're looking for reading matter, the WWHA Journal is the place to begin your search.
-Michael Tower
