Early Days in Texas by S - 1970

Austin: Western Publications, Inc., 1970., 1970. First edition. First edition thus. Quarto. Story originally published privately in 1937, this edition appears in OLD WEST magazine, Winter, 1970, Vol. 7, No. 2, Whole No. 26. Color pictorial wrappers, triple column, 69 -96 pp., illustrated, portraits, map. This article contains photographs of famous Texas Rangers, Bill Longley, whose legal hanging was witnessed by Delony in Giddings, Texas, two Texas governors, and noted gunmen of Texas. The original first edition does not contain illustrations. Six Guns 580 says, "This interesting and little-known book contains material on the Taylor-Sutton feud, the hanging of Bill Longley, and the capture and killing of John Wesley Hardin, as well as many other crimes in Texas." The author was at one time Chief of the Austin Detective Bureau, Austin, Texas, and in this booklet tells of his years of experiences as a Texas Ranger. Additional stories include "The Ordeal of Old Smith" by Alson J.… Read More

Rev. J. S. York (The Texas War Horse). Early Days in Texas or Experiences of a Pioneer Minister. Incidents in which the author participated over fifty years ago.
Corsicana, Texas: Press of Corsicana Printing Company, [Circa 1917]. First edition. Tan printed wrappers. 20 cm. Illustrated with two photographs of the author, one in Confederate uniform with guns. 86 pp. Light wear and staining, one inch split at bottom of spine, else very good.
OCLC shows 8 holdings (Yale; Baylor; Houston Pub. Lib.; SMU; Texas St. Lib. & Arch.; Trinity Univ.; UT-Arlington & UT-Austin). Rare Book Hub shows one auction record. Reminiscences of a plain-speaking circuit-riding preacher who came to Texas in 1859. He served in an Anderson County, Texas unit in the Civil War and spent the next 50 years as a Presbyterian preacher in North Texas. He recounts his adventures including a murder attempt on him by desperadoes. Delightfully written in ungrammatical but forthright language: "I had to learn them quick about the evils of dancing."

N.P.: Privately printed, n.d. (ca 1937)., 1937. First edition. First edition. 8vo. Printed wrappers, 61 pp., frontis., double column, stapled. Six Guns 580 says, "This interesting and little-known book contains material on the Taylor-Sutton feud, the hanging of Bill Longley, and the capture and killing of John Wesley Hardin, as well as many other crimes in Texas." The author was at one time Chief of the Austin Detective Bureau, Austin, Texas, and in this booklet tells of his years of experiences as a Texas Ranger. Fine, unread copy. Housed in a cloth clamshell case with titles stamped in gilt on the front cover and spine.