Legends of America Newsletter, December 2011


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Legends Letter	December, 2011
`Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukah, Feast Day of St. Nicolas... whatever your beliefs, Legends of America wants to wish you the best this Holiday Season. Christmas for us is usually pretty hectic, and so far this year hasn't disappointed.` However, we're taking a breath, sitting back and reflecting on all the wonderful blessings we've had over the past year. 2011 has been a wild ride, with our travels taking us from West Texas to North Dakota and many points in between. Being a former international traveler, I can honestly say there's no place on earth like the United States, and it makes it almost undesirable to travel anywhere beyond our borders. The beauty and diversity of our nation astounds me to this day, and we are lucky to have the kind of job that requires that experience. While many businesses, including ours, have had their challenges this year, we have managed to overcome and have big hopes and dreams for 2012. We made many new important friends and fans in 2011 (that includes you), and we're proud to be apart of various television, production and publishing projects via our material and photos. These have included Brad Metzler's Decoded on the History Channel, Real Stories on the Discovery Channel and several others that have utilized our vintage photos, as well as giving what help we could to the Travel Channel and any other production company that needed contacts, advise and material for various projects. Even Hollywood is included when you consider that the Set Decorating Coordinator for this past summers blockbuster Cowboys and Aliens used Kathy's book Great American Bars and Saloons to help in their research. Meanwhile, we're happy to say that our Rocky Mountain General Store remodeling project is complete, and while we still plan to add more payment and shipper options, the overall shopping experience is much improved, and the response so far has been great! We invite you to see for yourself and visit the newly remodeled store HERE. Of course, we are offering some great savings this season (see all the specials listed in notes from the Rocky Mountain General Store below), but, whether shopping or not, would love to get your feedback and suggestions, just drop us a note. `So as 2011 draws to a close, we want to convey how much we appreciate you as our reader. Many of you have been with us for several years and have watched us grow. Our hope is that all of us have a wonderful, productive and rewarding 2012, and that it finds you surrounded by love and peace.` `Sincerely "Your" Fans,` `Kathy Weiser Alexander (Owner/Founder/Editor)` `Dave Alexander (Owner/Operations Manager)` `Legends Of America`	In this Edition: New Additions & Feature Stories Featured Travel Destination Native American Notes From the Rocky Mountain General Store Featured Product Newsletter Exclusive Savings ~~~~~~ More to See: Legends of America Hits the Highway - Our blog when we travel or just want to opine. Facebook Fan Page - Daily posts and photos. Photo Pages - Our growing gallery of Vintage and Modern photos from our Photo Print Shop. ~~~~~~ Easy! - Make your travel reservations right HERE online. Now powered by Expedia! This spot would have Shown a Photo of Kaydee Dog with a Santa Hat, but Kaydee dog most definitely did not approve. - Still can't find where she buried it.
New Additions and Feature Stories
It hasn't all been data base, spread sheets and remodeling the store for us these past couple of months. Kathy's managed to add a few stories and topics to our growing website. Here are just a few of our new additions. Farm Security Administration - A New Deal - The Farm Security Administration was created in the Department of Agriculture in 1937. During its existence it included a small but highly influential photography program that portrayed the challenges of rural poverty. Federal Writers' Project - Real Life Stores - The Federal Writers' Project (FWP was a United States federal government project to fund written work and support writers during the Great Depression. It was part of the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal program, established on July 27, 1935. Documenting History - From artists, to illustrators, photographers, writers, and publishers, American History is filled with adventurous characters who set out to document the events, people, and scenes that made this country grand. In many cases, these individuals often braved the elements, dangerous conditions, and battle grounds to document their experiences, travels, and views, in illustrations, written materials, and photographs. Native American Dances - Dances have always been significant in the lives of Native Americans as both a common amusement and a solemn duty. Many dances played a vital role in religious rituals and other ceremonies; while others were held to guarantee the success of hunts, harvests, giving thanks, and other celebrations. Native American Rituals and Ceremonies - Ceremony and rituals have long played a vital and essential role in Native American culture. Often referred to as “religion,” most Native Americans did not consider their spirituality, ceremonies, and rituals as “religion,” in the way that Christians do. Rather, their beliefs and practices form a integral and seamless part of their very being. Native American Ordeals - Originally, an ordeal was a form of trial to determine guilt or innocence; however, the term evolved to be applied to any severe trial or test of courage, endurance, or fortitude. Native American Religion - Though Native Americans' spirituality, ceremonies, and rituals were often referred to as “religion,” most did not consider it in the way Christians do. However, it was labeled as such by American writers, soldiers, and settlers, who called it such, perhaps because they didn't know how to otherwise describe the rituals and ceremonies. The Greenwater Mining District, California - Great Promise in the Desert - The Greenwater Valley was the site of the most spectacular boom in the history of Death Valley mining. While other districts, such as Bullfrog, Lee-Echo, Panamint, Skidoo and Leadfield had their booms, which saw rushes into new mining areas and the establishment of new mining camps and towns, Greenwater surpassed all the others in the brilliance of its birth. Willow Creek and Gold Valley Mining Camps, California - The Willow Creek and Gold Valley area, located about ten miles south of Greenwater -- about fifteen miles by road -- was the scene of a Greenwater boom in miniature. For More What's New see HERE!	Bumper Sticker Wisdom I love cats...they taste just like chicken. Fight mad cowboy disease I used up all my sick days so I called in dead! Ever stop to think, and forget to start again? Shop Bumper Stickers! ~~~~~~ Newsletter Exclusive Now through December 31, Save 20% when you use Coupon Code "Newsletter" in our New Store and our Photo Print Shop. ~~~~~~
Featured Travel Destination
From our Nebraska Legends, take a trip on the Oregon Trail Through the Platte River Valley, Ash Hollow to Horse Creek on the Oregon Trail (East to West). Ash Hollow-Windlass Hill: After negotiating the climb up California Hill, the emigrants along the Oregon-California Trail traveled 18 miles across the high tableland between the South and North Platte Rivers before descending Windlass Hill into the North Platte River Valley. It was a favorite campsite for emigrants because it offered wood, pure water, and grass for the stock. Wagons descended the 25-degree slope of Windlass Hill for about 300 feet; subsequent erosion of the tracks worn by rough-locking the wheels has left at least five scars of trail ruts run down its side. From the top of the hill, trail ruts can be followed south until they disappear into a wheat field at the top of the plateau. The source of the name is unknown as emigrants were not known to have referred to it as Windlass Hill. One pioneer named Howard Stansbury, who passed through Ash Hollow on July 3, 1852, commented: "Here we were obliged, from the steepness of the road, to let the wagons down by ropes. . . . The bottom of Ash Creek is tolerably well wooded, principally with ash and some dwarf cedars . . . traces of the great tide of emigration . . . plainly visible in remains of camp fires, in blazed trees covered with innumerable names . . . total absence of all herbage." The site became a Nebraska state park in 1962. Another historic site, located about 2 ½ miles from Windlass Hill is also contained within the park. Ash Hollow Cave was created by a spring long ago and became an attractive site for human habitation. At least four distinct cultures used the cave as a base camp for hunting and food collecting for more than 1,500 years. Archaeological explorations have revealed that indigenous people used the cave as early as 1000 B.C. in the Late Archaic Period to about 1675-1725 when it was used by the Apache tribe. The State Historic Park also includes the grave of Rachel Pattison, an 18 year-old newlywed that lost her life on the trail. A Visitor Center overlooking the canyon, contains interpretive exhibits is operated at Ash Hollow State Historical Park. The 40-acre Ash Hollow site also looks over the site of the Battle of Ash Hollow which took place in August, 1855 between U.S. Soldiers and the Sioux Indians. Contact Information: Ash Hollow State Historical Park P.O. Box A Lewellen, Nebraska 69147 308-778-5651 Continued HERE!	Featured Product: Start the new Year off Right with Native American Herbal Remedies from Nuwati. ~~~~~~ Did you know? That you can see daily stories, from the Old West to Route 66, on our Legends Facebook Page? With our Good Guy and Bad Guy of the week spotlights, travel destinations and Quirky Saturday, it's a daily dose of Legends sure to please! ~~~~~~ *Newsletter Email Address Changes:* If you need to change your newsletter email address, please return to the Newsletter page and unsubscribe, then re-subscribe with your new email address. ~~~~~~
Native American
From our Native American pages, Chief Black Kettle - A Peaceful Leader: Called Motavato or Moke-ta-ve-to by his friends and family, Black Kettle was born near the Black Hills of South Dakota in 1803. However, by 1832, he had roamed south and joined with Southern Cheyenne tribe. Decades later, after having displayed strong leadership skills, he became chief of Wuhtapiu group of the Cheyenne in 1861. Living in the vast territory of western Kansas and eastern Colorado, Black Kettle and his band enjoyed the peace guaranteed to the Cheyenne under the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851. However, by the time he became chief, the 1859 Pikes Peak gold rush had sparked a flood of people encroaching upon their lands in Colorado. Even the U.S. Indian Commissioner admitted that "We have substantially taken possession of the country and deprived the Indians of their accustomed means of support." Instead of upholding the Fort Laramie Treaty, the government sought to resolve the situation by demanding that the Southern Cheyenne sign a new treaty ceding all their lands except the small Sand Creek reservation in southeastern Colorado. Black Kettle, fearing that if he didn’t agree, a less favorable settlement might be presented, agreed to the treaty in 1861 and did what he could to see that the Cheyenne obeyed its provisions. However, the Sand Creek reservation could not sustain the Cheyenne Indians forced to live there. The barren tract of land was unfit for farming and the nearest herd of buffalo was over two hundred miles away. In addition, the reservation soon became a breeding ground for a number of diseases that left numerous dead in their wakes. Desperate, many of the young Cheyenne braves began to leave the reservation, preying on the livestock of nearby settlers, and stealing the supplies of passing wagon trains and mining camps to the west. As the Civil War progressed in the east, the number of soldiers in the area was greatly decreased and without protection, the Indians accelerated their attacks. However, the area settlers were enraged and soon formed a volunteer militia which led to the Colorado War of 1864-1865, and one of the most infamous incidents of the Indian Wars – the Sand Creek Massacre. In this brutal attack, some 150 Indians lay dead, most of which were old men, women and children. Though Black Kettle miraculously escaped harm at the Sand Creek, his wife was shot several times. Always a peaceful man, Black Kettle continued to counsel peace, even as the Cheyenne struck back with continued raids on wagon trains and nearby ranches. By October 1865, he and other Indian leaders had arranged an uneasy truce on the plains, signing a new treaty that exchanged the Sand Creek Reservation for reservations in southwestern Kansas, though these did not include their former Kansas hunting grounds. Continued HERE!	What our readers are saying about Legends of America: Wow!!! That is the best way I can describe your web site... a lot of work has gone into it. - Noel, Missouri Absolutely great web site. Help me find a lot information about the history. Terima - Indonesia I'm a great fan of your website and have sent it to members of my family. Sixty years ago when I was seventeen I traveled across the US in a Buick convertible and still remember that trip as one of my life's highlights...I still travel a lot and was just in Germany, Turkey and Greece. No country can compare with ours!!! I'm planning on going across the US by car again in the spring...Your website will definitely be of great help. - Christine - New York love your site! I spent two hours on here last night and as you can see i am back again! Tammy - Kentucky This site is great! It has everything I need! Because of this site I'm hooked on learning about history especially the Wild West! Keep up the great work! - Tyler - Minnesota I had never heard of the legend of Blackbird hill. What a great romantic and scary story! If I wasn't such a coward I'd read this site at night. Very nice site! I appreciate all the work you have put into it! Mitch - Washington via Nebraska Truly one of the best historic websites on the net. Jerry - Arizona Dave and I truly appreciate all of your feedback and look forward to bringing you more! - Kathy Weiser-Alexander
Notes from the Rocky Mountain General Store
Our newly remodeled Rocky Mountain General Store makes it easier for us to offer you GREAT savings! Here are just a few of the ways you can save on fantastic gifts this Christmas. Take advantage of the Newsletter special. Save 20% when you use coupon code "newsletter" at checkout. Create an account with us and earn $1 for every $10 spent. There's even more savings as we have items marked down throughout the store. From our wide selection of Nostalgic Tin Sins, Books, DVD's to Herbal Teas. See all our Specials HERE! We now offer Gift Certificates. It's easy, just fill out this quick form and that hard to buy for history buff on your list is ready to go. We also have fantastic savings and Gift Ideas in our Photo Print Shop! 33% Off on Four 8"x10" Photo Prints. Regularly $51.96 - Now Just $34.99! 20% Off on Two 16x20" Canvas Wraps 3/4" thick. Regularly $113.80 - Now Just $89.99! 25% Off on Four 16x20" Giclée Prints. Regularly $78.32 - Now Just $58.74! There's More..visit our Photo Print Shop Special Offers for details!	November/December in American History November 11, 1954 - Veterans Day is officially proclaimed, replacing Armistice Day which had been recognized since November 11, 1918 (The official end of WWI) November 15, 1777 - The Continental Congress formally adopts the articles of confederation. November 18, 1883 - Four standard Time Zones for the Continental United States are introduced at the request of the railroads. November 19, 1863 - President Abraham Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address. November 22, 1963 - President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas. December 7, 1941 - Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, brining the USA into WWII. December 15, 1791 - The USA adopts the Bill of Rights for it's citizens. December 17, 1903 - The Wright Brothers complete their first flight. December 21, 1928 - President Calvin Coolidge signs the Boulder Canyon Project Act, creating the Hoover (Boulder) Dam. December 25 - Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Feedback and Suggestions
We always appreciate feedback about the website and our newsletter. Do you have a suggestion about content that you would like to see, or perhaps, would like to contribute a photograph or a story? We would love to hear about it! We also want to hear about suggestions for improvement. See a link that doesn't work or a picture that doesn't appear -- please let us know. Just drop us a line at our Email address and tell us what you think. This newsletter is copyrighted 2011 by Legends of America. Our reader's e-mail addresses are never sold, rented or otherwise made public. Newsletter Email Address Changes: If you need to change your newsletter email address, please return to the Newsletter page and unsubscribe, then re-subscribe with your new email address.	Legends of America A Travel Guide for the Nostalgic & Historic Minded 28926 Cedar Hill Loop Warsaw, MO 65355 913-708-5119 Kathy Weiser-Alexander Founder/Owner/Editor Dave Alexander Owner/Operations Mgr. www.legendsofamerica.com Email - Kathy Email - Dave