Dianne Thomson
Q: What do Apache Chief Cochise, scandalous western women, Billy the Kid, and Fort Huachuca all have in common?
A: There are books on these topics—and a lot more—in a growing collection of Southwest books to be found in the library at Madera clubhouse.
• “Cochise was a Chiricahua Apache chief who led the Indians’ resistance to the white man’s incursions into the U.S. Southwest in the 1860s. The southeasternmost county of Arizona bears his name.” (from Encyclopedia Britannica). Cochise Stronghold in the Chiricahua Mountains is named for his courageous but unsuccessful stand against the U.S. Army in the late 1860s. The Cochise biography in the library is a winner of the Southwest Book Award in 2010.
• As for the ladies in Scandalous Women of the Old West, they were a tough, independent bunch who had to weather harsh conditions, endure limited resources, and overcome their vulnerability to violence. And they weren’t the least afraid to speak their minds. One of them, Big Nose Kate, was known for her temper. The owner of a saloon and dancehall in Tombstone, she said she worked the business because she liked it, “belonging to no man, nor to any house!”
• The Illustrated Life and Times of Billy the Kid describes a time when the West really was wild. The book is written in a lively, easy-to-read style, with lots of photos and intriguing anecdotes that bring the story and the times alive. Billy was nicknamed “El Chavito,” a Spanish term meaning “The Infant Rascal,” a nickname given to him by the local Spanish-speaking population in New Mexico Territory. Billy’s death was as colorful as his life. After his escape from jail, he was ambushed in his girlfriend’s dark bedroom by Sheriff Pat Garrett on July 14, 1881.
• “Fort Huachuca, established in 1877, is a United States Army installation … near Sierra Vista that has a rich history spanning from the frontier era to its current role in national defense. Initially a temporary camp to protect settlers and travelers from the Chiricahua Apaches, it later became a permanent fort and played a crucial role in the Army’s efforts to suppress the Apache insurgency, including the capture of Geronimo. Throughout its history, Fort Huachuca has served as home to various units, including the 10th Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers) and has evolved into a major center for training, technology development, and intelligence operations.” (Wikipedia)
Quail Creek’s Southwest book collection can be found in the library at Madera clubhouse inside the cabinet under the Biography section.