INVESTIGATING THE OLD WEST?
American Frontier History Apache Arapaho Arikara Benteen William 'Billy the Kid' Bonney Black Kettle Buffalo Bill Cody Buffalo Soldiers Calamity Jane Cattlemen Cheyenne Chief Joseph Clanton Comanche Cowboys Crazy Horse Custer Deadwood Desperadoes Dodge City Wyatt Earp Geronimo Gunfights Gunslingers Indian Territory Jesse James Gang Kiowa Lakota Lawmen Lincoln County War Little Big Horn Mandan Mountain Men Nez Perce OK Corral Outlaws Quantrill Rain-in-the-Face Red Cloud Reno Roman Nose Rosebud Rustlers Shoshone Sioux Sitting Bull Tombstone US Cavalry Vigilantes Washita Western History Wild Bill Hickok Wild West
THE ENGLISH WESTERNERS' SOCIETY
|
|
A member of Westerners' International, the English Westerners' Society, was founded in November 1954, the ninth such group organised and the first outside the United States. It is an educational, non-profit making organisation whose object is to pursue and promote the study of American Frontier History. To this end, the Society issues publications and holds meetings. |
|
Response from fellow scholars in the United States has been helpful and positive over the years. The very first Elmo Scott Watson Prize for Historical Journalism was gratefully received and the Society is also obliged for these past reviews:
"This group has set a high standard for the study of the
American West for many years"
The late Jerry L. Russell, Order of the Indian Wars -
Communique 1998
" - something new for even the most advanced
student"
Richard Upton, Indian Wars Catalogue
1998
The regular publications of the Society are the Brand Book and the Tally Sheet. The latter is a newsletter publication issued three times a year containing Society news, current information, articles, book reviews and book lists. The Brand Book is the Society's printed journal, presenting original research papers to members and occasional out-of-print items. Since 1964, a series of Special Publications have been issued and a number of these are still in print.
The Society holds its Annual Lunch and General Meeting in London, normally in October, and other occasional meetings may be arranged at alternative times and places during the year. For many years the venue was the stately Over-Seas House, Park Place, off Piccadilly and overlooking Green Park. Since 2007 the Society has held its Annual meeting at Doggett's Coat and Badge, 1 Blackfriars Bridge, City of London, SE1 9UD. Doggett’s Coat and Badge is blessed with one of the best locations in London. Based on the south bank of the river with stunning views of The River, The City, St Paul’s and beyond.
The English Westerners' Society Charter See English Westerners' Society Charter .
Membership of the Society (£12.50 annually) is open to residents of the British Isles, and includes receipt of the regular publications, voting rights, and use of free information and Tally Sheet advertising services. Associate Membership ($20.00 annually) is open to those resident outside the British Isles and includes receipt of the regular publications only.
Membership Applications are welcomed. Please supply your name and address, together with a note of any particular Frontier History interests. Cheques, in Pound Sterling or US Dollars please, should be made out in favour of 'The English Westerners' Society' and sent to: Barry Corbett, Paddock Gill, Frog Lane, Felton, Bristol, BS40 9UN, United Kingdom or E-mail Raymond Cox the Secretary EWS if you wish to make a prior enquiry.
Recently Published, the Latest and Future Brand Books
and Special Publications
For recently published Brand Books and Special Publications see Recent Publications.
Volume 2 of the Golden Jubilee is in preparation and will be issued in lieu of the Brand Books for 2007-2008 and will be Volume 41. Volume's 42 and 43 are both complete and have been sent to members. The first of volume 44 has now been sent to members
Brand Book - Volume 42 (3 Titles)
The first Brand Book in Volume 42 is "Wash My Hands in Your Heart's Blood" Some Incidents in the Life of Mattie Collins by Robert Wybrow. Mattie Collins is well known to those interested in the James Gang especially because of her relationship to Dick Liddil and minor part in the assassination of Jesse James. There were other darker facets to her life, involving three murders. She was born in 1851 and died in 1936.
The second Brand Book in Volume 42 is A Blackburn Man in the Frontier Army: The Life and Recollections of Sergeant Jacob Howarth by Barry C. Johnson. Voices from the ranks were seldom" were seldom heard according to Johnson and most only deal with the period of military service. Jacob Howarth was born in Blackburn, Lancashire in 1853, he would run away to see the world and end up enlisting in the U.S. army in 1871 and was then assigned to the Company F, 11th U.S. Infantry, who were serving in Texas. He only served five years but had no regrets and returned to his native country in late November1876 having achieved the rank of sergeant. In 1926 he wrote by request what he himself described as "a simple and truthful narrative of events [in Texas] ... without colouring of any kind."
The third Brand Book in Volume 42 is Mochi: Cheyenne Woman Warrior by the late Peter Harrison. Peter as many members will be aware died on the 31 January 2009. He had been working on his book about Monasetah and his research had produced a wealth of information on the Southern Cheyenne. This book is a result of that research and was finalised by Gary Leonard who took over editorial control of the Brand Book after Peter's untimely death. It is a fascinating account of this Cheyenne woman who was as fierce as any warrior. With her husband Medicine Water, she was responsible for the death of five members of the German family (the parents and three of seven children) and capture and taking into captivity of four surviving female members. The attack on this immigrant family took place on the 11th September 1874 on the West Kansas Plains. (Please note that an error in printing has labelled this Brand Book incorrectly as Volume 43, No.3)
Brand Book - Volume 43 (3 Titles)
Volume 43, No.1 is Fist Fighting Out West: Dan Stuart versus General Mabry and the Texas Rangers by the Keith Robinson tells the story of the attempts by Dan Stuart a boxing promoter to match two contenders for the heavyweight championship of the world in El Paso after the abdication of James J. Corbett as the champion. This proposed fight led to State and Federal legislation outlawing boxing. Seven companies of territorial militia were put on alert and 250 infantrymen and five troops of cavalry were confined to Fort Bliss awaiting development. The two contenders tried desperately to stay out of jail and avoid being shot and Dan Stuart sparred with Adjutant General Mabry of the Texas Rangers. The fact the fight took place was down to the ingenuity of no less a person than Judge Roy Bean.
The latest Brand Books sent to members are Volume 43, Number 2 and Volume 43, Number 3.
Texas Wants 'Em: A Case of Mistaken Identity (Volume 43, Number 2) is by Robert Wybrow, an acknowledged expert on the James brothers and the Youngers. In this book whose title reflects the headline in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, "Texas Wants 'Em. Depredations of the Youngers in the Lone Star State", he had set out to see if whether the claims made by Texas that the James-Younger gang committed felonies in that State had any basis for being fact. He widened his article to also focus on another Missourian, Jim Reed, who most definitely had been involved in criminal activity within the State. A most interesting read for those who of us who take a particular interest in the James-Younger gang and known associates.
The final Brand Book in this Volume is Aspects of Lakota Leadership (Volume 43, Number 3).This publication contains two short articles. The first is by the late Joseph Balmer (1914-2006), a native of Switzerland and one of the founder members of the English Corral of Westerners in 1954 (now the English Westerners' Society). Joe was an acknowledged expert on the Indian Wars and based his views from the Indian side of the conflict, although he was certainly not uncritical. Joe also could read and write Lakota and had corresponded in his younger days with many old-time warriors. His paper introduced by Barry Johnson is about the leadership of the Brule Sioux (Sichangu or Burnt Thighs) from the mid-1700s to 1825 The latter date is when on the 22nd June 1825 Brule headmen/tribal leaders signed a treaty of peace and friendship with the United States. The second article is by Kingsley Bray on Sitting Bull and Lakota Leadership, Sitting Bull is perhaps the most iconic Indian leader on the Plains and achieved a unique status among his people, the Hunkpapa tribal division of the Teton Sioux or Lakota. His article describes the structure of the Hunkpapa bands, tribal and national-level organisation, historical developments between 1800-1851 and through into the 1860s.
Brand Book - Volume 44
This our first Brand Book in Volume 44 Henry Star and his Era (Volume 44, Number 1). It is not a definitive account of the life of the outlaw Henry Starr but as well has providing information on his criminal career it also provides a great deal of information on his known associates from the start of his career in crime in 1891. During his 32 years in crime Henry Starr robbed more banks than both the James-Younger and the Doolin-Dalton gang's put together. As just a teenager in the Oklahoma Strip, Henry, the nephew of livestock rustler Belle Starr, received his initiation in crime at an early age. He started robbing banks on horseback in 1893 and ended up robbing his last in a car in 1921. In the late 1890’s he organised a gang that robbed a number of small banks in the Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas area. Starr shot and killed Floyd Wilson, a deputy of Judge Isaac Parker in 1903. For that murder he was sentenced to hang but eventually after two appeals and pleading guilty to manslaughter his sentence was reduced and he would be released after a pardoned in 1903.
Starr never seemed to able to give up his life of crime and he would return to prison on two further occasions. Finally after robbing a bank in Harrison, Arkansas on 18 February 1921, he was shot in the back by the former president of the bank. Starr received medical attention but died on 21 February 1921. Henry Starr is buried in the Dewey Cemetery north of Dewey, Oklahoma. There is no marker, but he is buried next to headstone labelled as ‘Baby Starr.’ Rather uniquely, although not the first, before his return to crime and death for the final time he had produced and starred in the silent movie, A Debtor to the Law, in 1919. The film was about the double bank robbery in Stroud, Oklahoma on the 27 March 1915 for which he received his last custodial sentence.
Future Brand Books There are a number publications at various stages and we will keep you updated.
Special Publications
Special Publication 10. More Sidelights of the Sioux Wars was sent to members as the Brand Book for 2002/2003. This Special Publication contains four articles, two by Barry C. Johnson on Herendeen and Cadet Marcus Reno, an article by Rod MacNeil on the Custer's Approach to the Little Big Horn River and the fourth is by Francis B. Taunton on the Yellowstone Campaign of 1873. It contains maps and colour as well as black and white photographs. (Note: New Members from 1 September 2003 are still able to purchase this publication at the discounted members price. Please also note this Special Publication was issued in lieu of Volume 36 - there were no Brand Books numbered as Volume 36)
Special Publication 11A. Vignettes in Violence a Special Publication issued as Volume 1 of the Golden Jubilee Publication contains a Foreword by Joe Rosa, an Introduction by Barry Johnson and contains four articles, one by Chuck Parsons on an Englishman James W. Grahame who found adventure in Texas, the second article is by Robert Wybrow about Missouri being one of the most peaceful States, the third is by Jeffrey Burton on The Duellists of Devil's River and the fourth is by Roy O'Dell on Frank Clifford - a man who had not necessary attracted the attention he deserved as an outlaw. It contains black and white photographs and illustrations. (Please Note because this Special Publication was sent to all member, as a result Volume 37 comprised of only one Brand Book).
Society News
REMINDER
Subscriptions
for 2011/2012 are due from 1st September
2011. Members should send their subscriptions to: Barry Corbett, Paddock
Gill, Frog Lane, Felton, Bristol, BS40 9UN. Cheques should be made
payable to "The English Westerners' Society".
Photograph Gallery See photographs on English Westerners' Society Photograph Gallery.
Barry Johnson's tribute to the late Colin Taylor, who was one of the Society's Vice-presidents, is now published. The book is entitled Colin Taylor: Ethnologists of the Plains Indian. It is available free to members of the Society, thanks to the generosity of Barry. Please write to the Chairman, Richard Pratt, direct to receive your copy.
Prue Westbrook wrote a few years ago what she describes herself as a "factual" novel set in the time of Red Cloud's War. The title is Red Shadow on the Moon and is set within the context of the run up to what became known as the Fetterman Massacre, Red Cloud comes across an injured white boy on the outskirts of his village. But who is he and what can his arrival in Red Cloud's village mean? For more information visit her website at www.pruewestbrook.com.
Sandy Barnard's latest book is A Hoosier Quaker Goes to War: The
Life and Death of Major Joel H. Elliott, 7th Cavalry and tells the story
of this officer serving with Custer's Seventh Cavalry when he was killed at the
battle of the Washita. Elliott had served with distinction during the Civil War
which for a young man brought up in a closely-knit community of decidedly
pacifist Quakers was remarable. This book is available direct from AST Press
or can be purchased on Amazon.
Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee. The English Westerners' Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary in November 2004. To mark the event a Golden Jubilee Publication was planned be published, which would comprise of two volumes. The General Editors of Volume 1 were Barry Johnson one of the Society's two Vice-presidents and Francis Taunton the Vice-chairman. Volume 1 - "Vignettes in Violence" it was sent to members who had paid their 2004-2005 subscriptions. Volume 2 is still in the Editorial stage and will on current plans be sent to members in lieu of the Brand Book for 2007-2008 (Volume 41). We apologise for the delay in publishing Volume 2 but there have been numerous changes to its content and some of the proposed articles have subsequently been issued as part of, or as separate Brand Books.
Golden Jubilee Ties and EWS Polo Shirts
|
|
The Commemorative Golden Jubilee Tie is limited to 50 only. Price is £12.00 including postage and packaging. Place your order with Kevin Galvin. Overseas members should contact Kevin by e-mail to confirm method of payment and cost, which will be approximately $20 including postage and packaging. This is however dependant on exchange rate at the time of the order. ONLY A FEW LEFT SO GET YOUR CHEQUE IN THE POST.
|
|
EWS Polo Shirts are available in three sizes; Medium, Large and Extra Large. Each Polo Shirt has the logo shown and is Bottle Green in colour. Anyone interested should contact Kevin Galvin. The unit price is £16.00 including postage and packaging. Members who attend the AGM can purchase their polo shirt there for £13.50 and save on the postage and packaging. Overseas members should contact Kevin by e-mail to confirm method of payment and cost, which will be approximately $35 including postage and packaging. This is however dependant on exchange rate at the time of the order.
|
|
Articles
Articles: The English Westerners' Society have published material on the American West in both the Brand Book and the Tally Sheet since its founding in 1954. Many of the original articles are now out of print. It is intended that a selection of these works will be published on the website to engender further interest in the Society and encourage new authors to write in the future. It is also hoped that these articles will help students in the UK and abroad who have decided to cover the subject of the American West as part of their studies.
The first is an article They Wore the Yellow Ribbon written by Mary Christian on the lives of the wives who followed their husbands as they moved from post-to-post in the U.S. Army in the period 1860-90.
The second article was written in 1961 and appeared in the Brand Book, Vol. 3, No. 3 April of that year and was Publication No. 68. The Brand Book was then a Quarterly Publication. The article is The Men at Fort Stanton and was written by Philip J. Rasch.
In 1959 Colin Taylor wrote an article for the The English Corral of the Westerners entitled The Plains' Indian Shirts, it appeared in the Brand Book, Volume 1, Issue No. 3, January 1959. It was illustrated with a drawing that depicted how a Plain's Indians' shirt was made plus a number of photographed examples. Unfortunately the photographs did not photocopy well and attempts to locate the original illustrations at this stage has failed. The original text has now been reproduced courtesy of Robert Wybrow and a new drawing added that reflects the original plus a new set of colour images depicting typical shirts in replacement of those published in the 1959 publication.
Book Reviews
Book Reviews: The English Westerners' Society have provided through the Tally Sheet, reviews on books covering the full range of Western topics. Some of the reviews published in previous edition's of the Tally Sheet are published on this website on a monthly basis and will remain on the website for approximately six months.
January 2011 Book Review is on Sentimental Journey: The Art of Alfred Jacob Miller by Lisa Strong and reviewed by Gary Leonard.
February 2011 Book Review is on Missy by Chris Hannan and reviewed by Mike Christian.
March 2011 Book Review is on Captain George Schmitt: Texas Ranger by Robert W. Stephens and reviewed by Chuck Parsons.
April 2011 Book Review is on The Diaries of John Gregory Bourke: Volume One November 20, 1872 - July 28, 1876 which is Edited and Annotated by Charles M. Robinson III and reviewed by Raymond Cox.
May 2011 Book Review is on The Mason County "Hoo Doo" War 1874-1902 by David Johnson and is reviewed by Tom Wanless.
June 2011 Book Review is on To Live and Die in the West: The American Indian Wars by Jason Hook and Martin Pegler and is reviewed by Charles W. Vennard.
July 2011 Book Review is on Lanky Bob by K. R. Robinson and is reviewed by Gary Leonard.
August 2011 Book Review is on The North American Journals Of Prince Maximilian Of Wied. Volume 1: May 1832-1833 and edited by Edited by Stephen S. Witte, Marsha V. Gallagher and is reviewed by Leon Mould.
September 2011 Book Review is on Bound For Santa Fe - The Road To New Mexico And The American Conquest, 1806 -1848 by Stephen G. Hyslop and is reviewed by Raymond Cox.
October 2011 Book Review
is on Murder on the White
Sands: The Disappearance of Albert and Henry Fountain by Corey
Recko and reviewed by Chuck Parsons
Please remember as with any review, they are the comments of the reviewer only and ultimately we always recommend that you read the books for yourself and make your own judgement.
Events
CAGB Gathering. The next gathering of the CAGB will take place on Saturday,
5 November 2011 at
Doggett's Coat & Badge on the south side of Blackfriars Bridge -
Sandy Barnard will be one of the speakers on 'Elliott, Benteen and Custer'.
All members of English Westerners' Society are invited to
attend.
Reports from the Annual General Meetings
The 54th AGM (2010) Report will be published in due course.
The 53rd AGM (2009) Report will be published in due course.
The 52nd AGM (2008) Report will be published in due course.
Details of the 51st AGM
Details of the 50th AGM
Details of the 49th AGM.
Details of the 48th AGM.
Details of the 47th AGM.
Details of the 46th AGM
Details of the 45th AGM
Details of the 44th AGM
Links To Home Ranch, Other Corrals, Booksellers and Western History Sites
Home Ranch
Westerners International (known as WI) is a non-profit foundation that was organized in 1959 to promote communication and cooperation between Westerner chapters (or Corrals as they are known), and to stimulate interest and research in the history of the American West. The WI “home ranch” is located at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center in Oklahoma City, where the Buckskin Bulletin is published quarterly and mailed to the representative for each Corral still active.
Other Corrals
Other corrals online include:
The Potomac Corral of Westerners International is based in Washington D.C. area for people interested in the history and culture of the American West.
Scottsdale Corral of Westerners is based in Arizona who meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
Chicago Corral of Westerners was founded in 1944 and was the earliest Corral to which a number of early members of the English Corral of Westerners belonged.
Chisholm Trail Corral according to its website meets on the second Tuesday of each month except for June, July, August, and December at the Greens Country Club (unless otherwise noted)13100 Green Valley Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73120. Their website appears not to have been updated for awhile.
Booksellers
Uptons. There are other specialist Custeriana, Indian Wars and Frontier Military Bookshops around but starting with the best saves so much time. Email to request their latest catalogue.
Looking for books check out Abebooks.com they list over 30 million books from over ten thousand dealers.
AST Press have a number of books specialising on the Indian Wars and Custeriana.
Book Express. For new book searches - the Internet's largest discount bookstore. Discounts appear to be substantial.
Western History Sites
The Old West Page. Western History enthusiast Jim Janke has assembled a reasonably staggering list of related links. Ought to be something for everybody. Remember to bid a fond farewell to anyone nearby before you go in there.
Overland Trail. Another massive collection of Western History links to ride into the sunset. The History section alone boasts access to 2,500 other sites.
The Smithsonian Institution. Gives an overview of its Departments and Archives.
The National Archives. In Washington D.C. but linked to regional and specialist centres.
The National Cowboy Hall of Fame. Currently the headquarters of Westerners International in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. This site includes a virtual tour.
Oregon and California Trails Association. Added at the kind invitation of the Webmaster. An E-mail discussion group exchanging views on the subject of 19th Century transportation.
British Links of interest to Westerners
Custer Association of Great Britain The Custer Association of Great Britain was formally formed on 10th June 2000 and its aim is to promote the life and times of General George Armstrong Custer, the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the Frontier Army, the Plains Indian Wars in general and the culture of those tribes.
Westerners Publications Limited Our London-based publishing house currently deals with work emanating from the distinguished pens of the English Westerners' Society and other new authors. Its most recent publication, Volume 3 in the British Custeriana Series, is available to members of EWS at the Subscribers rate.
Museums in the UK
All of the links have been updated but if you find some no longer find the museums named websites
please let us know. Most sites provide between minimal information but there are those that provide a virtual walk
through
on screen. Mainly they have American Indian and other Western items to view,
so next time you are passing plan a visit. The British Museum's collection is
relatively small in comparison to its other collections but definitely worth the
trip and entry is still "free". Hastings is another museum that you may not have
considered but it does have a first class collection.
LAST UPDATED 18 OCTOBER 2011
Copyright © 2011 English Westerners' Society
