Homesteading in the 1920s: part 3 by Cherry Wilson

Part 3 of a personal account of homesteading in the 1920s by western author Cherry Wilson. But to go back to those first glo­rious days of Spring, after the event­ful Winter; when the very air made one’s head light. The call of the out­door was so strong that while snow still lay in canyon pockets… Continue reading Homesteading in the 1920s: part 3 by Cherry Wilson

Homesteading in the 1920s: part 2 by Cherry Wilson

Part 2 of a personal account of homesteading in the 1920s by western author Cherry Wilson. Two days later, when order was established, we looked with pardon­able pride upon our work. For out of that rude shack we had made a home. The bare logs were hung with bright pennants, cheery cur­tains of cretonne draped… Continue reading Homesteading in the 1920s: part 2 by Cherry Wilson

Cherry Wilson: Life as a homesteader In the 1920s

When you think of a homestead, you probably think of something like this, the log cabin where Abraham Lincoln was born; but Cherry Wilson and her husband Bob homesteaded in the 1920s, driven by Bob’s tuberculosis into a place where they needed fresh air and quiet. This is her account of their experience, published in… Continue reading Cherry Wilson: Life as a homesteader In the 1920s

Off-beat Tales: Review of Western Trails, May 1938

Why read a second-tier title like Western Trails? Most of my western reading in the pulps has been from Street & Smith’s Western Story. I’ve also sampled Doubleday’s West, Popular Publications’ Dime Western, Star Western and a few issues of Clayton’s Cowboy Stories and Ace-High. Flirted with a few Ranch Romances. But the western was… Continue reading Off-beat Tales: Review of Western Trails, May 1938

Action Packed Western Stories: A writer’s creed

MUCH as the swift-moving Western story offends the ultra-cultured tastes of the intelligentsia, it has made for itself a very definite place in American literature. It may not be “art,” as the literati consider art. It may lack the polish of urban tales or the heart-throbs of bucolic stories. But it has something of which… Continue reading Action Packed Western Stories: A writer’s creed

Saddle Up for Love: Ranch Romances, Sep 21, 1956

Ranch Romances was Harold Hersey’s biggest success, started in 1924. A title so profitable it lasted nearly fifty years. The issue I;m reviewing is from September 21 1956. But before we take a look inside this issue, let’s look around. 1956 is a bad time in the pulp market. From 65 issues a month just… Continue reading Saddle Up for Love: Ranch Romances, Sep 21, 1956

Million word man: Utah writer Frank C. Robertson

Frank C. Robertson, of Springville, prolific western writer who is now hard at work on a new book, says he’ll be glad when the European war is over and the Britishers get back to their reading again. This Utah writer has had about 65 novels appear in book form in Great Britain, of which about… Continue reading Million word man: Utah writer Frank C. Robertson

Lon T. Williams : Weird writings of a Law Clerk

Lon T. Williams followed Robert E. Howard in writing weird westerns. Rather obscure, he was first republished by Larry Estep at pulpgen.com (which has now vanished into the aether). Williams’ stories of deputy sheriff Lee Winters, most of which appeared in Real Western Stories, are formulaic, with the hero encountering weirdness as he returns from… Continue reading Lon T. Williams : Weird writings of a Law Clerk

Elliott W. Michener: From Criminal to Author and Gardener

For nearly 30 years, Alcatraz was THE prison, the one no one escaped from. Al Capone was held there, as were Machine Gun Kelly, Mickey Cohen and other prominent gangsters. A total of 36 prisoners made 14 escape attempts, two men trying twice. 23 were caught alive, six were shot and killed during their escape,… Continue reading Elliott W. Michener: From Criminal to Author and Gardener

Tricks of the trade: The Bargain Counter, Ace-High, May 1926

Most pulp magazines had regular letter columns and editorial departments. Ace-High, Clayton’s first pulp, offered The Bargain Counter, a department for people to exchange or trade items. It was quite popular, and if someone were to index it, would offer quite the look at pulp readership. I recently read the May 3, 1926 of Ace-High,… Continue reading Tricks of the trade: The Bargain Counter, Ace-High, May 1926