Author Archives: CeliaHayes

About CeliaHayes

I am a writer of historical fiction, focusing on the American frontier

The Wild Ride of Pony Bob Haslam

Posted on May 24, 2013

The most famous want-ad in the history of the Wild West appeared in a California newspaper in 1860: “Wanted. Young, skinny, wiry fellows not over 18. Must be expert riders, willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred.” What restless, fit … Continue reading →

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From The WIP – The Quivera Trail

Posted on May 21, 2013

Chapter 26 – News of a Distressing Nature The fatal telegram arrived two days before Christmas, at Cousin Peter’s sprawling house in Austin. Isobel had begun to fret guiltily, because her husband had not yet arrived – while she and … Continue reading →

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Stranded in the Death Valley

Posted on May 17, 2013

When gold was discovered in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada in 1848, it didn’t take very long for word to get out. From the eastern United States, California was then a six-month journey by mule trail or covered wagon … Continue reading →

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The Great Siege of Elm Creek

Posted on May 10, 2013

As the Civil War raged in the east, the western frontier went up in flames, along the Sierra Nevada, and from Minnesota to Texas. With the attention of both the Union and Confederate militaries focused on eastern battlefields, there was … Continue reading →

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Sleeping Warm Under a Handmade Quilt

Posted on May 5, 2013

We visited Boerne this week, just in time for Quiltfest on Hauptstrasse (Main Street.) Lots of lovely quilts on display along the street in downtown Old Boerne – and in the Town Plaza. Patchwork quilting is one of those peculiarly … Continue reading →

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From The Work in Progress – The Quivera Trail

Posted on May 3, 2013

(Jane Goodacre has accompanied her employer, Lizzie Johnson on a visit to friends in San Antonio. Jane has found fullfillment and friends as a school-teacher, but she cherishes a warm friendship with Sam and Lottie Becker – and a chance reunion at the Menger … Continue reading →

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Mickey Free – Apache Indian Scout

Posted on April 25, 2013

His name wasn’t really Mickey Free, and he wasn’t really an Apache Indian. The legendary Al Sieber, chief of Army scouts in the badlands of the Southwest after the Civil War once described him as ‘Half Mexican, half Irish and whole … Continue reading →

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The Picador’s Horse – a Memory of Spain

Posted on April 20, 2013

 During our last summers overseas, my daughter and I took to camping on our vacations, as the most economical way of traveling and seeing as much of the country as we could. A nice campground in Spain provided the convenience … Continue reading →

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Rebuilding the Collection

Posted on April 16, 2013

When the house that my parents had built for their retirement retreat burned in a catastrophic brushfire in 2003, they had only about half-an-hour warning, and so there were a good many things they simply did not have time to … Continue reading →

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So, How is That Book Thing Going – 2013 Edition

Posted on April 14, 2013

Pretty well, actually – I finished a chapter Saturday afternoon, and tallied up what I have so far; a little over 300 pages, but only about another three plot twists and set-piece scenes to go. I’ll do my best to … Continue reading →

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