Story City Carousel Honors Wild West History: By G.C. Stevens

 

Story City Iowa is a very quaint and picturesque town located just north of Ames Iowa off of I-35. Once you arrive there you are greeted with beautiful parks, a nostalgic old downtown and fields of the color of Kelly green. But Story City has one really unique tourist attraction on the west side of town, and that attraction is the vintage Story City Carousel. The carousel dates back to 1913, and it is a beautifully preserved living mechanical artifact, that puts smiles on peoples faces. The old time ride is adorned with symbols of the American west and loaded with breathtaking hand carved horses. The carousel is a step back into a time within the confines of an Americana icon.

All Photos were taken by the author

Paintings on canvass deck out the upper part of the ride. Symbols of the American West

Story City Carousel

Decoration Day By Matthew Kerns

  Photo courtesy of Matthew Kerns Buffalo Bill Cody

 at the grave of best friend and partner Texas Jack in Leadville, 1908.

Before it was made a federal holiday, the day we celebrate as "Memorial Day" was called "Decoration Day," and was a chance for towns across the United States to remember those who had fallen in the Civil War, as well as those veterans who had passed in the years since.  

The tradition began on June 3, 1861, with the decoration of the grave of Captain John Quincy Marr, the first Confederate officer killed during the war, but traditions soon became established across both the North and South. The assassination of Abraham Lincoln and his subsequent burial, combined with the deaths of more than 600,000 soldiers during the war, left a lasting impact on the country and the way it viewed those who had sacrificed fighting for it.

Texas Jack was one of the most famous men buried in Leadville, and his grave was often visited in the pioneer days of that city. Jack fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War, but scouted for the United States Army both in Nebraska from 1869 to 1872, and in Montana and Wyoming for General Alfred Terry following the defeat of George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.  

This article from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat talks about Leadville and the grave of Texas Jack.

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LEADVILLE'S DEAD

LEADVILLE, COL - The Rio Grande train climbs a long hill and steams into Leadville upon a ridge. To the east of the track is spread out the city of the living. On the slope to the west is the city of the dead. Leadville started a graveyard early, and patronized it well. For a time the headboards were planted almost as rapidly on one side of the hill as the claim stakes were driven on the other. There are 33,000 restless money-seekers up here among the clouds and the snow-drifts of mid-July. There are 3.300 graves in the gravel, among the bright green pines.

The mortality of the early history of this ten-years old city was frightful. Men lay down at night to sleep off a drunk and never awoke. Nature plays queer freaks with vital organs at an altitude of 10,055 feet. Health was neglected in the wild mad rush for carbonates. Men ate when they could get time, slept anywhere, and never refused an invitation to drink. Under such conditions Leadville acquired the name of "The Pneumonia City," and graves were in great demand.

More people between the ages of 20 and 35 are buried here than in any other cemetery in the world, that is in proportion to the whole number, and such a strange assortment of histories the sod nowhere else covers. In what other burial place can the visitor stand and moralize beside the grave of a man who was given twenty hours by the Vigilance Committee to leave town, and who died of pneumonia before the time was up?

To the credit of Leadville, let it be said, her dead are not forgotten. Decoration Day means more here than the remembrance of those who fell in battle. This city did not come into existence until twelve years after the war was over, but there are few places where Decoration Day is so generally observed in a literal sense.

TEXAS JACK

The most striking monument of all is that which marks the resting place of Texas Jack, as he was better known than by his name of J. B. Omohundro. Texas Jack entered the show business about the same time that Buffalo Bill did, and he was only second to Cody in promise. He had married a famous ballet dancer, and was filling an engagement here when pneumonia carried him off. His grave is in a well-cared-for lot, and is marked by a slab bearing the inscription:

Sacred to the Memory of

TEXAS JACK

(J.B. Omohundro)

Died June 29, 1880.

33. Pneumonia.

The inscription occupies but a small place on the slab, which is fairly covered with artistic work. First, there is a good representation of a cartridge belt, with pistols crossed and bowie-knife sheathed. Below is sketched the trusty Winchester, and then the head of Texas Jack's favorite horse, Yellow Chief.

On the reverse of the slab are fingers pointing heavenward, and the inscription, "Rest in peace. Remembered by his young friends, J.J. Levy and M.C. Levy" If Texas Jack had designed his own head-board he could not have done better. His wife, in respect for his memory, retired from the stage.

_________________________________________

Unfortunately, this grave marker, like the one that his wife inscribed by hand in Italian that preceded it, was eventually taken by some passing collector. 

Eventually, only a plain white board with Jack's name and dates of his birth and death marked the spot. In 1908, Buffalo Bill and John M. Burke brought the Wild West to Leadville. Seeing Jack's grave in a sad state of disrepair, they immediately offered to fund a new permanent marker that still marks their friend's final resting place.

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Texas Jack: America's First Cowboy Star is available now at:

                         Amazon - https://amzn.to/4bEy7Gv

A Morning at the Occidental Hotel: By Jefferson Glass

 

Author Jefferson Glass

“Do you love me, Jane? Or was that just whiskey talkin’ last night?”

The quilt fell to her waist as she sat up beside him in bed and lit a cheroot. “What do you think?” she asked grinning coyly as she exhaled a ring of smoke.

“I’m not sure. I’ve never been with a woman quite as enthusiastic . . . or as vocal as you,” he answered.

“If I did, what use would I have for a no-account outlaw such as yourself?” she prodded.

“No-account?” he exclaimed. “I’ve got a place down on Blue Creek, I’ll have you know. Filed on in Douglas and everything.”

“Oh, so you’re going to be a big cattle rancher, huh? You don’t know nothin’ about cows ‘cept how to rustle ‘em.”

“Horses,” he corrected.

“So, you’re moving up to horse-thief,” she scoffed as she took another long pull on her cigar. “You always have liked a fast pony when you’re running from the law.”

“No, I’d go straight.”

“Straight to Hell at the end of a rope most likely,” she blew another smoke-ring.

“You never answered my question.”

“Which one?”

“Do you really love me?”

“We can have another toss right now,” her sly grin returned. “I’ll show you.”

“Just a minute,” he responded as he climbed out of bed and slid his pants on. “I’ll be right back.” He pulled his suspenders over his bare shoulders and slipped out the door down the hall to the privy.

Jane sat on the side of the bed considering the question… she hadn’t been with a man since Bill got killed. The urge had been building inside her for a week when she rode into town yesterday afternoon and paid for her room. She’d crossed the street and bought a calico dress then came back to take a bath in hot water with perfumed soap, unlike stripping down beside a cold stream in the middle of nowhere. When she proceeded to put on the dress, she realized her lack of lady’s undergarments. The men’s drawers she usually wore beneath her overalls would not suffice, so she dressed without any.

The cool breeze from below enhanced her mood as she descended the stairs to the saloon for supper. She was drinking a beer with her steak when he walked in from the dusty street beating the remnants of the trail from his clothing with his hat. It had been a while since she’d seen him. Good looking, smiling and friendly as always, he dropped a coin on the bar and ordered whiskey.

“Care to join me?” she asked.

The man squinted toward her; not yet accustomed to the darkness indoors she thought.

The woman at the corner table looked familiar as she sat looking across her meal at him. Plain yet almost handsome in her calico dress, he couldn’t quite place her. He recognized the voice when she spoke, but struggled to identify where he’d heard it. As he crossed the room it suddenly came to him. Her normal attire had always been a man’s pants and shirt covered by an oversized coat with a slouch hat on her head. The comprehension brought a toothy grin. She cleaned up quite agreeably.

“Hello, Jane,” he greeted pulling up a chair. “You look nice this evening.”

*****

The calico dress that had laid on the floor, now draped across a chair by the window. He glanced out onto the empty street below before noticing the piece of paper laying on the dress.

Butch,

I’ll be seeing you around.

J. Canary

Western Poetry: Deadwoods Breeze By G.C. Stevens

 

Mount Moriah, the final resting place of Wild Bill Hickook & Calamity Jane

RPPC from the authors collection from Centennial Distributors

Whispers of gold in the rugged hills, Rumors of riches in Deadwood's Breeze, Avarice called through the Black Hills trees. Wild Bill's gun slinging legend, Calamity's frontier myth , Where fortunes were sought and spirits unleashed.

Creeks once running through a glittering gleam, A prospector's hopeful pan and a desperate dream. The old Saloons roared loud with whiskey, cards and with cheer, A lawless frontier, a steam train whistle in the distance.

From a dusty street to painted ladies' grace, A boomtown's fever, etching its name in this place. Gunfights and drama, under endless skies, Reflected still in the modern-day eyes.

Now history breathes its name in the dust, in bricks and in stone, The echoes of heroes, forever known. Deadwood, dear Deadwood, a tale to behold, Where the Wild West stories will never grow old and Mount Moriah broods overhead.

By G.C. Stevens

RPPC from the authors collection Curteich - Chicago post card

Crossing the Frontier 1839 a Letter Home: By G.C. Stevens

 

Photo courtesy of the library of congress

Crossing the open frontier was a taunting task fraught with danger. But the hope of a better life drew settlers further west. Letters written home to relatives told the tales of the hardships and triumphs of spirit of the early settlers. One such letter was written by pioneer John Morgan. They original letter (copied below) was difficult to read due to the fading and cursive style used. The author of this article highlights what could be deciphered. Question marks (?) appear where words could nor be read.

CROSSING FROM TENNESEE TO MISSOURI

Dear Mother, I have taken my pen in hand to write you a few lines hoping these lines may find you in the same state of health, we landed on tolerable well. We came to the Ohio bank it was a very good river, very sandy, and we had to wade the water. I walked on with the children & Jonathan. John is a little restless. The 1st day Mr. Morgan was very sick. A week after we got home 3 days we crossed a stream but we rolled through it and came on travelling hard things and worst coming. We landed at the Mississippi River and crossed next morning at Greens Ferry. Mr. Morgan Reuben Simpson went a cross & I staid 3 days & pole William Morgan. They are all well at this time. One of the children died in the travel. We want you to send for mother Morgan. I hear the land and the richest land we ever saw is the Mississippi bottoms. 

                

                       Jackson Morgan and Susan Turner Morgan approx. 1839               

We would a settled here but the water was very bad it was very sickly. The 2d Sunday in travelling the wagon turned us side down a bank. Every thing is in good order in it notwithstanding the Reuven family is hearty. Adams is as far as far as one they are beware well all aged I will tell you in the next letter while whether I am please or not. We are on rented land at this time. There is 15 acres of cleared land. Give the (?) as naught it best for a snow. Our [?] makes this his home & is trading & [?] bought charge with 50 [?]. The place we expect to settle is 2 miles below Mr. [Cumings?] on Beaver Creek a branch bottom 175 acres a first rate spring.

Mr. Morgan is again to help Reuben Clear and wants to clear  as much as we can find and Clear. There is a good , 300 acres spring & a plenty of timber. The beloved place is from 50 to 375 . It is said to be better than to settle there. Really for there is not much land that can be settled only one there every  of  on the  I . I never saw [?] I make choice [?] or on the account of larger bodies of land and it can be there [?]. I have not looked [?] much [faded] going over on white river. The great bodies of land it is said that there can be 1000 acres in it. 7 hundred acres of corn it is supposed to be. it is 2 or 30 miles [?]. In last year there can be a good. made in this settlement if any minister should happen in. There was preaching  here the 7th of this month. The people [?] and an [?]. By [?] I am in [?]. [faded] horse I always [?] 20 head of hogs we bought corn [?] [?] he has sold 200 [?] worth [?]. I have cut and made 1 coat it is first [?] [?] another in the house to make. The drought was great the crops was short but on the [?] and very [?] [faded] year there is a long [?]. They [?] [faded] I have a [?] [faded] [?] I [?] [faded] [?] [faded]. [more about expenses, horses, etc.]

They sell from 12 to 15 [?]. They are doing well [faded]. [mentions working, family members like Jerry, etc.]

Closing section:

... The post office is kept at the mouth of [?] [faded]

[Signed] John Morgan

                                                        Letter courtesy Patrick Meguair

250 YEARS OF AMERICAN HISTORY

Hunting For Jesse James, With a Metal Detector By G.C. Stevens

 

On May 09th, 2026, a group of metal detector enthusiasts converged on the site of the Jesse James 1873 train robbery in Adair Iowa. The train robbery site which is located along the famed "white Pole Road" is a very significant historic location because it marks the spot of the first train robbery in the American west, an event that would send shockwaves across the nation. This robbery also solidified the reputation of Jesse James as a controversial post-civil war figure, and feared outlaw whose escapades would lead to many large scale man-hunts to try to arrest the outlaw and his gang. The location is also important to railroad history because the Rock Island and Pacific railroad line that ran through here would pave the way west and the rails would contribute to the growth of small towns along the tracks leading to Omaha Nebraska. 

 The event was coordinated by historian, author and blogger Gene Stevens. The objective was to locate and recover any possible artifacts at the site to be given to local museums. Approximately thirty people from the Iowa Metal Detecting Group attended the event and assisted with the expedition. Many items were recovered that revealed the rich railroading history of Iowa in this region. Of particular interest was the presence of narrow gage railroad track and smaller railroad spikes which indicated the presence of a possible connected narrow gauge rail operation or spur in this location. 

Many thanks to all the great people who came out to help! Photo courtesy of Sandy Riley, Adair News.

NEWS ARTICLES,

CRESTON IOWA NEWS ARTICLE ARTIFACTS FOUND

Narrow Gauge Rail Service in Iowa

The Rock Island logo was in the shape of a beaver pelt!

Photo courtesy of wikimedia

                             Frank James and Jesse James photos from the authors collection

                                      Flyer courtesy of the Adair County Conversation Board

 Flyer courtesy of the Adair County Conservation Board

Part of the initial of items included the expected roadway and construction debris, but in the debris was found many significant railroad related items.

An American Style engine of the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad

Photo courtesy of Black Hawk Railway Historic Society

Railroad items recovered, railroad spikes, track bolts, track plates and one track rail anchor

Historian Gene Stevens showing a railroad track bolt that was recovered from the site.

Of particular interest was the large pin at the top of this photo. The pin is part of a "link and pin coupler" which dates between 1873 and 1900. The link and pin was the coupler of the day. Photo by the author

A close up of the pin, photo by the author

                                                       Photo from Voices of Harvey County 

"Historically, the Brakeman held the most dangerous job on the train. They had to walk atop moving cars and manually apply the brakes.  The brakeman was also in charge of coupling the cars.  He stood between the cars while holding the link in position to slide into the receiver of the car being coupled as it was pushed by an engine. The brakeman held the link in one hand an a second pin in the other while the next car is pushed into position. At exactly the right moment, he must let go of the link and insert the second pin into the pocket of the oncoming car. Early cars had no means of cushioning the impact so if the brakeman's timing was off, he could lose fingers, a hand, or even be crushed completely between the two cars. Links were kept short to reduce slack."

ref Tools from Our Collection: The Link and Pin Coupler

By Kristine Schmucker, Curator

                 READ OTHER ARTICLES ON JESSE JAMES

Members of the group spread out across the area in search of artifacts. Photo by the author

Photo by the author

                                 Another large iron casting now believed to be 

                                a part from a Caterpillar D8 tractor photo by the author

                                                             

                                           WILD WEST MERCHANDISE

                                          

           DUSTY TRAILS OF THE OLD WEST ANTHOLOGY

                         DUSTY TRAILS OF THE OLD WEST BOOKS

                                                   250 YEARS OF AMERICAN HISTORY
  

 

Trains, Trails and Railfans: The Lincoln Highway Near Grand Junction Iowa By G.C. Stevens

 Today was the perfect day for a short road trip down the Lincoln Highway. This stretch of road does exactly what it was intended to do as part of its original design, it created as means of travel when automobiles first took the roads. The original intent of the designers was to create a road that crossed the country from Philadelphia PA to San Francisco while coming close to major cities but avoiding the congestion of those cities. Highway 30 also follows the path of the Union Pacific Railroad and has many great train-spotting opportunities for rail enthusiasts According to The Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway Corridor Management Plan, which was published in 2016, identified 319 properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1966.  

ALSO SEE

Sixteen Stops Along The Lincoln Hwy

All the video and photos were taken bu the author

The Display also had information on the

white Pole Road

 

                                                250 YEARS OF AMERICAN HISTORY