At age 15 William F. Drannan (1832-1913) set out on his own and into an adventurous life. He was taken under the wing of Kit Carson and became an Indian scout among many other things. He was best friends with Jim Bridger who is frequently mentioned in his books. He wrote two books about his life: THIRTY-ONE YEARS ON THE PLAINS AND IN THE MOUNTAINS; or, LAST VOICE FROM THE PLAINS. An Authentic Record of a Life Time of Hunting, Trapping, Scouting and Indian Fighting in the Far West. Also in 1910 he published the sequel CAPT. WILLIAM F DRANNAN, CHIEF OF SCOUTS.
In 'Captain W.F. Drannan Chief of Scouts', William F. Drannan seamlessly weaves his firsthand experiences as a scout during the American Indian Wars with vivid descriptions of the Western landscape and the Native American tribes encountered along the way. Drannan's literary style is characterized by its raw authenticity and attention to detail, providing readers with a gripping account of life on the frontier. The book not only serves as a valuable historical document but also as a compelling adventure story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Drannan's ability to capture the essence of the American West in the 19th century sets this book apart in the genre of Western literature. His insights into the complexities of the relationships between settlers and Native Americans add depth and nuance to the narrative, making it a must-read for anyone interested in this period of history. William F. Drannan's personal experiences as a scout and his commitment to preserving the truth of his encounters make 'Captain W.F. Drannan Chief of Scouts' a timeless and valuable addition to Western literature.
In 'Capt. W. F. Drannan, Chief of Scouts, As Pilot to Emigrant and Government Trains,' William F. Drannan provides a gripping first-hand account of his experiences as a scout navigating the treacherous frontier of the American West in the mid-19th century. Drannan's vivid storytelling and attention to detail immerse the reader in the harsh realities of life on the frontier, making this book a valuable historical document that sheds light on the challenges faced by early pioneers. Written in a straightforward and unembellished style, Drannan's narrative serves as a unique glimpse into the tumultuous era of westward expansion and the crucial role played by scouts in aiding emigrant and government trains. The unforgiving landscapes and encounters with Native American tribes depicted in the book provide a sense of authenticity that is both informative and engaging. William F. Drannan's personal experiences as a scout and guide inform his perspective in this compelling account of the American frontier. His intimate knowledge of the terrain and deep understanding of Native American cultures lend credibility to his narrative, offering readers a valuable glimpse into a bygone era of American history. I highly recommend 'Capt. W. F. Drannan, Chief of Scouts, As Pilot to Emigrant and Government Trains' to anyone interested in the history of westward expansion, Native American studies, or the challenges of life on the American frontier.
In this gripping memoir, Capt. W. F. Drannan recount his experiences as Chief of Scouts for emigrant and government trains crossing the Plains of the Wild West in the mid-19th century. Drannan's vivid accounts of life on the frontier and his interactions with Native Americans provide a valuable window into a tumultuous and often dangerous period of American history. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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Texas has been home to so many colorful characters, out-of-staters might wonder if any normal people live here. And it's true that the "Texian" desire to act out sometimes overcomes even the most sober citizens—which makes it a real challenge for the genuine eccentrics to distinguish themselves from the rest of us. Fortunately, though, many maverick Texans have risen to the test, and in this book, Gene Fowler introduces us to a gallery of Texas eccentrics from the worlds of oil, ranching, real estate, politics, rodeo, metaphysics, showbiz, art, and folklore. Mavericks rounds up dozens of Fowler's favorite Texas characters, folks like the Trinity River prophet Commodore Basil Muse Hatfield; the colorful poet-politician Cyclone Davis Jr.; Big Bend tourist attraction Bobcat Carter; and the dynamic chief executive of the East Texas Oil Field Governor Willie. Fowler persuasively argues that many of these characters should be viewed as folk performance artists who created "happenings" long before the modern art world took up that practice in the 1960s. Other featured mavericks run the demographic gamut from inspirational connoisseurs of the region's native quirkiness to creative con artists and carnival oddities. But, artist or poser, all of the eccentrics in Mavericks completely embody the style and spirit that makes Texas so interesting, entertaining, and culturally unique.
