Linda Wommack
Writer and Historical Consultant
WWW.LINDAWOMMACK.COM
Three Time Winner
of the prestigious Will Rogers Medallion Award
1st Place, Non-Fiction
Ranching Women of Colorado: 17 Legendary Ladies
The Homestead Act of 1862 brought thousands west for free land, new beginnings, and a new way of life. For many, it was the dawn of a new dream, and no more so than for the female homesteader. At a time when most women’s futures were tied to a husband’s prosperity, it was a bold, courageous step for women to step out of the conventional norm.
3rd Place, Biography
Ann Bassett
Colorado's Cattle Queen
This is the first full-length biography of an extraordinary woman in Colorado's history. Anna Marie Bassett was the first white child born in the notorious outlaw region of Colorado known as Brown's Park. She knew outlaws such as Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and became lifelong friends with Elza Lay. When Tom Horn, hired by Ora Haley, owner of the Two Bar Cattle enterprise, murdered her fiance' Matt Rash, Ann Bassett launched a personal vendetta against Haley and the Two Bar ranch.
4th Place, Biography
Growing Up with the Wild Bunch
The Story of Pioneer Legend Josie Bassett
The life of Josie Bassett was nothing short of a female pioneer adventure. Josie came west in a wagon train at the age of four. Settling in rugged Brown's Park in the extreme northwest corner of Colorado, Josie learned to ride and rope by the age of six. Like all girls, as a young teenager she discovered boys, but Josie's first real boyfriend was a future outlaw, none other than Butch Cassidy.
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NEW
by Linda Wommack
From Sand Creek to Summit Springs: Colorado's Indian Wars
The Colorado Indian wars were indeed tragic. No more so than for the women. Their stories are frightening, tragic, heroic and courageous. From the ashes of the Sand Creek camp site, Mo-chi raises her father's Hawkin rifle and declares, "Today I will become a Cheyenne warrior." Susanna Alderdice is tragically killed at the Battle of Summit Springs. Victims of "collateral damage," the four German sisters struggle to survive their captivity. After being taken hostage, Josephine Meeker advocates for the Ute Indians until her dying day. These are the stories of the women of the Indian wars. This carefully researched history of the conflicts with native peoples in the Colorado territories sheds fresh light on the struggles and courage of the many men and women, settlers and native, for whom the harsh reality of war was all too real.
Ranching Women of Colorado: 17 Legendary Ladies
The American West has always been known for strong women, and the state of Colorado is no exception. From the earliest days of settlement, Colorado women had a love for the land and built their homesteads and ranches.
The Homestead Act of 1862 brought thousands west for free land, new beginnings, and a new way of life. For many, it was the dawn of a new dream, and no more so than for the female homesteader. At a time when most women’s futures were tied to a husband’s prosperity, it was a bold, courageous step for women to step out of the conventional norm.In Ranching Women of Colorado: 17 Legendary Ladies author Linda Wommack tells the stories of these remarkable women who found ways to survive and thrive in the male dominated ranching industry of the 19th century West.
Growing Up with the Wild Bunch: The Story of Pioneer Legend Josie Bassett
The life of Josie Bassett was nothing short of a female pioneer adventure. Josie came west in a wagon train at the age of four. Settling in rugged Brown's Park in the extreme northwest corner of Colorado, Josie learned to ride and rope by the age of six. Like all girls, as a young teenager she discovered boys, but Josie's first real boyfriend was a future outlaw, none other than Butch Cassidy. As a young rancher's wife with two young boys, Josie witnessed first-hand the strong-arm tactics of the cattle barons trying to steal the land from smaller ranch owners. When it happened to the Bassett family, Josie's husband and father fought back. Murder occurred at the ranch when a man was hung from the gate post at the entrance of the Bassett ranch.Following a bitter divorce and a few more marriages, Josie moved to the remote area of Cub Creek in western Utah. Here she managed to make a living by hunting, making moonshine and possibly cattle rustling. (She was brought up on charges but acquitted.) Josie married a few more times, running off one husband with a frying pan. He later said, “Josie gave me fifteen minutes to get off her land, I only needed five!”Josie was the feature of a LIFE magazine article in 1948 and was a rodeo queen when she was in her 70s. Josie Bassett lived a long adventurous life, dying in 1963.
WWW.LINDAWOMMACK.COM
Other Books
by Linda Wommack
Cripple Creek, Bob Womack and The Greatest Gold Camp on Earth
On October 20, 1890, Bob Womack struck gold and staked his El Paso mining claim at Poverty Gulch, which eventually ignited the greatest gold rush in Colorado's history.
Buy from Rhyolite Press LLC
Buy from Amazon
Colorado's Historic Churches
Colorado's houses of worship reflect the same trademark resourcefulness and fortitude that the pioneers and history makers demonstrated throughout the state's history.
Buy from The History Press
Buy from Amazon
Haunted Cripple Creek and Teller County
Home to the last gold rush in America, Teller County attracted a slew of peculiar characters. And many never left.
Buy from The History Press
Buy from Amazon
Ann Bassett
Colorado's Cattle Queen
This is the first full-length biography of an extraordinary woman in Colorado's history. She knew outlaws such as Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and became lifelong friends with Elza Lay.
Buy from Caxton Press
Buy from Amazon
Murder in the Mile High City
The First Hundred Years
Denver has seen its share of violence and mayhem. Linda Wommack, aided by fellow writer and researcher Linda Jones, describes forty-two riveting murder cases that made headlines during Denver's first century.
Buy from Caxton Press
Buy from Amazon
Historic Colorado Mansions & Castles
The majestic homes of Colorado's yesteryear and the families who lived in them.
Buy from The History Press
Buy from Amazon
Colorado's Landmark Hotels
The fascinating stories of thirty Landmark classified Colorado hotels for travelers and history buffs.
Buy from Filter Press LLC
Buy from Amazon
Our Ladies of the Tenderloin: Colorado's Legends in Lace
Colorado's soiled doves are brought to life through in-depth research and never before published photographs.
From the Grave: A Roadside Guide to Colorado's Pioneer Cemeteries
An essential tool for any who wish to find the final resting places of Colorado's founders and forefathers.
Cripple Creek Tailings
Small vignettes of the people who were part of the "Greatest Gold Camp on Earth."
Colorado Gambling: A History of the Early Days
Includes such colorful and famous gamblers as Doc Holliday, Soapy Smith, Luke Short and others.
Colorado History for Kids
Written with the help of Mrs. Graf's 4th grade class. Includes illustrations drawn by the students themselves.
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About
Linda Wommack, a Colorado native, feeds her passion for history in activity with many local and state preservation projects, participating in historical venues, including reenactments and portrayals of historic women in Colorado history. Through her speeches, hosting tours, and community involvement, she strives to keep the history alive. She is a member of both the state and national Cemetery Preservation Associations, the Pikes Peak Heritage Society, and the Gilpin County Historical Society.First published in 1990, Linda’s work has been seen in several local and national publications. She has contributed articles for True West Magazine and has been a Contributing Editor since 1994. She writes the “Collections” museum feature for each issue of Wild West Magazine, an assignment she accepted with enthusiasm in 2006. Linda also has been among the talented writers of the nation’s oldest continuing newspaper, The Tombstone Epitaph, since 1994.Along with her books relating to Colorado history, Linda has contributed to two anthologies related to the Old West and Western Americana. As a historical consultant, her work has been included in several historic projects including documentation and oral histories of the Sand Creek Massacre, a historic perspectous of Riverside Cemetery, Denver's oldest existing cemetery, and provided critical historic aspects for the Lawman & Outlaw Museum in Cripple Creek, which opened in 2007. Linda has been a member of the national Western Writers of America for over 15 years, where she has served as a judge for the acclaimed national Spur Awards in Western Americana literature for eight years. As a member of the Wild West History Association, she serves as co-chairman of the Archives department, as well as editor of the Association’s web site. She is also a member of Women Writing the West, hosting local quarterly meetings to promote and encourage women writers.To book Linda for your historic events, booksignings or speaking engagements, contact her using the form below.
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