Traveling the West with Old West Books

Old West Books has released a new catalogue of the Old West. This is Catalogue 69 July 2025. If you weren't around to experience the Old West personally, and you weren't since no one alive was, you can experience what you missed through these books. Then again, you are probably glad you weren't with Custer during his defining moment, that you weren't captured by Indians (unless you are one yourself), that you weren't with Billy the Kid when he was engaged in another shoot out, or that you didn't have to cross the country in a covered wagon instead of an airplane or an SUV traveling the interstate. Maybe it's best to read about it. Here are a few of these books.

Here is an objective look at the the American West long before the days of the Oregon Trail. The author was Scottish botanist John Bradbury. His 1817 book is entitled Travels in the Interior of America, in the Years 1809, 1810, and 1811, including a Description of Upper Louisiana, together with the States of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee; with the Illinois and Western Territories; and containing Remarks and Observations Useful to Persons Emigrating to Those Countries. Bradbury collected botanical specimens around the West, spending particular time in the St. Louis area. He then traveled up the Missouri River with Wilson Hunt's party, visiting the Mandan villages and numerous other Indian settlements and forts. He returned with H. M. Brackenridge, another early explorer. He interviewed John Colter and wrote down his account of and escape from Indian captivity. He met an elderly Daniel Boone, 75 years old yet still engaged in long hunting parties. Boone was America's first true Western hero, his exploits in the wilderness being remarkable, though not quite on the level of exaggerated legends that came to surround his name. The appendix includes an account of the Stuart overland journey from Oregon, an Osage vocabulary, and data about plant life, his purpose for coming to America in the first place. This book is considered one of the most accurate descriptions of the West in the early 19^th century. Item 4. $5,000.

This next item is an Indian captivity other than that of Mr. Colter. Published in 1859, when book titles were often long enough to tell the whole story, its title is Three Years Among the Camanches, the Narrative of Nelson Lee, The Texan Ranger, containing a detailed account of his Captivity among the Indians, His Singular Escape Through the Instrumentality of his Watch, and Fully Illustrating Indian Life as it is on the War Path and in the Camp. Lee had participated in the Texas rebellion, but by 1855, he was on his way to California in a party of travelers. Most were killed in the attack but Lee was captured. Captivity was not pleasant. Jenkins said, “Besides drama and hair-raising excitement, this book offers the best contemporary description of the life of the early Texas Rangers.” In the days when this event was still recent, and whites saw nothing but evil in the Indians (oblivious to what they were doing to them), Thomas Field's 1873 bibliography stated, “The appalling and monstrous cruelties of this untamable nation of nomads, reconciles us somewhat to their rapid extinction. Unlike the savages of the Algonquin and Iroquois races, who invariably respected the chastity of their female prisoners, the savages of the southern plains ravish and torture them, with the combined fury of lust and bloodthirst.” Old West Books notes “Rare, a must have for the Texas / Indian collection!” Item 38. $12,500.

This next book illustrates why the western Indians were so hostile to white invaders of their land. Item 42 is The Prairie Traveler. A Hand-Book for Overland Expeditions. With Maps Illustrations, and Itineraries of the Principal Routes Between the Mississippi and the Pacific. It was published in 1859, the same year as Nelson Lee's Indian Captivity. This book by Randolph Marcy displays 28 routes to various locations in the West, routes that whites could take into, and then take over, the Indians' homeland. It includes advice to emigrants on what to bring, organizing a wagon train, avoiding attacks, and itineraries. Routes included the Santa Fe Trail and the journey to the Pike's Peak gold fields. This copy was inscribed by Marcy. $1,750.

General George Armstrong Custer was an egotistical, perhaps somewhat comical character. He was not always the smartest leader either, as his final demise illustrated. Still, it must be said of him he was incredibly brave, sadly to the point of being foolhardy. Item 1 is Meade's Headquarters 1863--1865. Letters of Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness to Appomattox, edited by George R. Agassiz, published in 1922. Lyman writes of Custer, “This officer is one of the funniest looking beings you ever saw, and looks like a circus rider gone mad! He wears a hussar jacket and tight trousers, of faded black velvet trimmed with tarnished gold lace. His head is decked with a little, gray felt hat, high boots and gilt spurs complete the costume, which is enhanced by the General’s coiffure, consisting in short, dry, flaxen ringlets!” $425.

Next we have Moman Priuett Criminal Lawyer. The Life Story of the Man Who Defended 343 Persons Charged with Murder. The Record Shows 303 Acquittals and the Only Client to Hear the Death Sentence Pronounced Was Saved by Presidential Clemency. It was published in 1944, the year before Pruiett died. He took credit for the book though he didn't write it, only edited it to his taste. Pruiett was a flamboyant lawyer, one whose great success was based not on superior knowledge of the law, but superior knowledge on how to psychologically manipulate a jury. It was said that no innocent client of his was ever convicted, nor were many guilty ones. Pruitt was a convicted felon as a young man who vowed to get back at the system for what he considered an injustice. He made a fortune along the way and lost it all. Perhaps he would be better known if his career had been in New York or L.A. rather than Oklahoma. He inscribed this copy. Item 52. $550.

Old West Books may be reached at 719-260-6030 or oldwestbooks@earthlink.net. Their website is www.oldwestbooks.com.