Lake Charles native Charles L. Olmsted’s book, “The Good, the Bad, the Butlers: Story of a Texas Pioneer Family,” tells the story of a Mississippi family that migrated to Texas in 1852 and got into the ranching business in a big way.
Olmsted traces the covered wagon tracks of family patriarch and deaf-mute Burnell Butler, his wife, Sarah Ann and their 12 children as they journey to the young state of Texas.
The book shares the trials and triumphs of the pioneer family that became, and remains, synonymous with ranching in and around Karnes County, Texas, just southeast of San Antonio.
Olmsted chronologically captures the Butler family history using anecdotes and excerpts from letters, newspapers, family journals, books, real-life accounts and family photographs.
After the Civil War, Burnell’s son, William G. Butler, learned the ropes of the cattle driving business, moving cattle up the Chisholm Trail for almost 20 years before the railroad reached South Texas and changed the way cattle were transported.
Railroads cut travel time and manpower, but also gave William Butler time to go into the banking business.
The Butler family left a mark in several South Texas counties in ranching, farming, law enforcement and politics.
It was not all smooth sailing. Butlers would sometimes butt heads with law enforcement, and the book tells of a number of western-style shootouts that happened as guns were used to settle disputes.
This slice of the Butler family story covers the time from early Texas statehood into the Great Depression.
Charles L. Olmsted is a former sportswriter for the American Press. He also wrote for the San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Light, Metrocom Herald and various magazines.
The book is dedicated to his family, and also to his former supervisor, late American Press managing editor Bobby Dower, of whom he writes on the dedication page:
“During the preparation for this book, my friend and former boss Bobby Dower, editor of the Lake Charles American Press, died suddenly. He was like the big brother I never had but needed.”
l
“The Good, the Bad, the Butlers: Story of a Texas Pioneer Family,” by Charles L. Olmsted, is published by iUniverse. The 313- page softcover costs $22.95. The eBook costs $3.99.
from American Press: Your Best News And Advertising Source - Home http://ift.tt/2bnoT5V
0 التعليقات:
Post a Comment