Tom Leftwich – författare

Let me grab your Attention! There are over two hundred pictures in this book.– You wouldn’t be reading this if you weren’t interested in Gold Mining! So was I! Forty years ago and tons of dirt later, I have learned a little about how to “Git The Gold”. This book is my attempt to pass on to you my knowledge of where to find Gold and how to separate it from Momma Nature. The contents fully explain and illustrate the beginning to end techniques I have used and methods I have developed or invented to make a lazy gold miner’s work a little easier. A number of the instruments are innovative concepts with design drawings for DIY gold seekers furnished with instructions and photographs of operations and the gold capture results .Why don''t I build and sell my devices?“ Gold mining is tough work and I built my own. You can just as easily do the same from my illustrations. Besides , I’m too lazy to work. Why should I be working, building stuff, when I could be out yonder Gold Mining!

Arizona territory during and following the Civil War was home for a number of violent outlaws. As this was an unsettled country, many robberies and stage holdups were common and outlaw Gangs thrived in this environment .The history of Arizona during the period of 1860 on up through the early 1880’s is filled with raiding , killing and robbery.Indian war fare flourished during the War and accounted for death tolls over 500. Hollywood has glamorized the fast draw , but very few gunfighters really challenged each other and bush whacking was the best way to remove an enemy or begin a robbery. Beyond fighting there is also the quest for gold and Arizona to this day is filled with tales of lost treasure dating back to the 1800;s. This collction of Western fiction is written around the 1870’s life style, practices and historical events of that period. Some of my characters are described performing events, or participating in actions which are reenactments of true life occurances in our early west frontier.

A collection of five fictional early west adventures, most of which are based on or around historical events of the 1870 era in New Mexico and Arizona territories . All are written to bring an enjoyable unusual, sometimes violent but factual story from that period of our southwest history. Follow the trials of a young Indian cast from his tribe to die in the Apache Canyon of Skulls but determined to live using his Indian skills. The story of an outlaw trying to change his life, using tactics of Colonel Stonewall Jackson to free a girl from Jail and discover the simplest solution for finding a lost gold Mine. A young homesteader’s trail of vengeance for the murder of his family. A bitter veteran of the Civil War meeting and enjoying a sometime humorous encounter with a man hating woman. A young soldier saved by the nursing given him by a mute prostitute and their adventure together in discovery of a small fortune.

. A new collection of Western Fiction which includes five first print stories; Join a young boy shooting Raiders from his Mother’s grave and as an orphan dealing with other killers; a young girl left orphan when her Father is murdered and joined by a gun fighting ex convict Uncle to aid her in dealing with the killers and locate Moses’s gold.—Follow gun fighting cow hand Shorty as he brings help to a struggling Lady Ranch owner to stop thieves with a killing threat -“ I’m the little man that’ll headline the El Paso newspaper as the man that shot and killed three thieves on the Moon Light Ranch, this morning.—Wagon Train youth, Cody losing their wagon horses to Indians, then standing tall to fill the shoes of his dead father as he and his Mother travel west on the Santa Fe Trail—Bundy was hardly cold in his grave, when his body was stolen in the belief that he was tattooed with a map to a gold mine; leaving an Empty Grave. Enjoy the read, I enjoyed the write.

The horrible treatment of our wild horses in the United States is a National disgrace. The story, Mustang Blue is a fictional survivor of the capture and horrible slaughter of his entire family. His unique type, disposition, and intelligence are mirrored in the loving bond he develops with a little crippled six year old girl who cannot see the poor conformation and in bred faults of the Mustang. She can only see and enjoy the love and friendship of her best friend. This is their story and how Mustang Blue affected the lives of all those around him .A heartwarming and dramatic adventure into the life of a despised, unwanted Mustang and a little girl."Did God really keep Blue alive so he could show us dumb humans some of his finest workmanship!"

A moving action pack of western fiction short stories designed for entertaining commute drivers and relief from canned television. Tales involve the quest for lost treasure, gunfighting , western humor,mystery and suspence,unusual partnerships and adventures. Enjoy the gunfighting skills of a young boy and the insulting excahange between an eldery widow and a questionable Indian hero.Each story combines early western incidents based upon 1800''s history in the territories of Arizona and New Mexico. Commonly in these early western settings, success or victory usually meant " A Little More Shootin To Do!"

Western Short Fiction Stories of Action and Adventure, Mystery and Intrigue, Discovery of Lost Treasure, Gunfighting, Indian Attacks,Join Sheriff Gray in finding Apachw Squaw Gold "Three long seconds and three men down! Gun smoke was all that was left!" Trying desperately to pull the ejector with his teeth to open the cylinder and reload; he knew he’d never make it!Words from the Outlaw, "Goodbye Sheriff, see you in Hell!" Saddle up with Henry as he herds two thousand turkeys over the high Sierra''s for a big payday in Carson City! Ride with Ol''Squaw in a fancy Landau Coach as she keep''s an Eye out for ---Indians????

An autobiographical account that deal’s with the fun side of Gold Mining starring the character’s , the wild stories, the drama, the humor, the rewards and the failures. As an Entertainer and story teller, All in song and verse of country music for the enjoyment of all who participate in gold mining or dream of the opportunity to do a little panning somewhere down the road. Come along for the laugh’s! There may not be any gold! Sometimes, if it comes from a gold miner it’s probably all 24 carat anyway !----- Fun, that is!!! Beware of the sworn “On My Mother’s Grave”truth, the half truth and the downright lie because it is all typical of a gold camp! I don’t think some of these Gold Miners had a Mother!If you long to be a Gold Miner then read this whole account slow & pay real close attention because: There may be a “Little” truth in it!!How much gold mining equipment can a man have before his wife throws him out?Well, I don’t know for sure; but I’m afraid that I’m getting close to finding out!,

Commuter length Short stories of gunfighting, Indian conflict,unusual bravery,unusual friendships,treasure mystery and murder vengence. Wild horse capture and training based on authentic early frontier practices.The characters, conflicts, and locations are period oriented to simulate, in fiction, actual historic events.The melting pot of civilizations that came together in early Arizona and Nevada territories brought together odd combinations of friendships and marriages often resulting from tragic beginnings .These tales are also an effort to illustrate the humor and human attraction that frequently developed between men and women when they were engaged in life threatening conflict.

Tales of Gun fighters, murder, Indian conflicts, gold mining mystery, suspense, horse racing, wild horse capture, hanging , hidden romance, marriage and the amazing Pony Express. For the commuter in today’s hectic work place an interesting action filled experience during that one hour or better ride to work, and as a substitute for that evening of canned commercial TV. Bring your imagination and hard core American Heritage as you stand shoulder to shoulder with these heroic men and women defining Western Justice.Riding with a young daring Rider of the Pony Express as he blazes his way through Indian ambush and"Hold Your Breath" as the young girl Anita, picked up a rifle and carefully squeezed off a shot, mercifully; ending the horrible suffering of Arturo! To be a part of this literary experience “ You Better Come Shootin!!

A collection of Five fictional early west adventures around common events of the 1870 era in Arizona and New Mexico . All written to bring an enjoyable unusual, sometimes violent but factual story from that period of our southwest history. Follow the rescue adventure of Patty Gringo prostitute as she is grabbed by a Rancher needing a wife. A young boy of fifteen joins an Apache family and joins in a perilous adventure to find a home. Follow the unbelievable journey of a young girl escapee from a house of prostitution to deliver aid to a dying soldier’s mother hundreds of miles away.”She cocked the gun and handed it to the dying soldier. She turned her back as he shot himself.” A wounded soldier just released from prison must have a horse to get home . A ten dollar hog feed mustang starts him on an adventure of peril in Del Rio Texas, original site of the beginning of the Chisholm cattle drives. The way west to the gold fields of Calif offer an adventure for an eastern blacksmith as he joins a dying horse in the valley of death to effect a rescue which ultimately leads to a Gold mine. Unusual moving adventures and incidents make for an enjoyable read. Thank you for reading this description. Tom Leftwich

This work is a collection of Five fictional early west mysteries and tales of uncommon nature of the 1870 era in Arizona and New Mexico . All written to bring an enjoyable unusual, sometimes violent but satisfying story from that period of our southwest history. Follow, the solution task of Lucky, suffering from amnesia and wounded in a group of three murdered dead men lying in a wrecked Stage coach at the foot of a fifty foot cliff. Then solve the location of a barrel of gold while dodging a murder charge as young Joe’s wife is forced to kill. Join young Matt Tyler’s gun fighting tasks in avenging the murder of his father accused of a mystery murder, but his mother takes over bringing solution to a range war. Share the desperate adventure of Amos as he rescues a dying baby left abandoned following ambush and killing of his Father, heir to a vast Spanish ranch. And what does that tattoo mean? Finally a little man takes on the tall lady stage driver in events leading to ownership of a rifle which holds the secret to location of a massive treasure cache. Ty the little man said, “Got in trouble with the law in Tucson, but they ain’t too anxious to find me. I’m kinda small potatoes when it comes to outlaws.” Del said, “ Hey that’s better, a real outlaw to ride with. Now you’re talkin. Little man you may not be so bad after all.”Unusual moving adventures and incidents make for an enjoyable read. Thank you for reading this description. Tom Leftwich

This work is a collection of Five fictional early west adventures of uncommon events of the 1870 era in Arizona and New Mexico . All written to bring an enjoyable unusual, sometimes violent but satisfying story from that period of our southwest history. Follow the dangerous path of a young fifteen year old facing death to hold his uncle’s homestead .Then beware of an Apache girl trained to kill as she aids a wounded gold miner. Squawman Bev want’s to drop his Indian wife , but luckily changes his mind as he says, “ Damnit Eli, I told you to be careful, our horses are over there. You can’t just go shooting without knowing where your bullets are going if you miss your target.” Eli said “ Husband Beev, I not miss target.” Sure enough the dove lay on the ground dead over twenty yards away. Follow the escaped Apache Renegade, Three Finger Alice as she shoots her way to twenty thousand dollars, a marriage and a family. Ex Army scout rescues older woman ready to commit suicide, a young orphan girl and a wounded Indian girl. All becoming involved in recovering the gold in a burnt pay wagon while ducking bullets . Unusual moving adventures and incidents make for an enjoyable read. Thank you for reading this description. Tom Leftwich

These early Western mysteries offer intrigue , drama, adventure , and unique circumstances involving resolution. Gun fighting violence and western action are common place in these stories, but history records horrific incidents that pale my writing . Join a strong saloon girl as she belts a drunk insulting her. Then follow an outlaw woman seeking a fantastic treasure , it’s secret location hidden in the Bible. How does a young woman’s ring finger fit into the location of a gold mine. How was a $50,000 dollar train robbery performed with the money disappearing and who was the eventual thief? Murder, during a stage robbery, but there was no Strong box. Twisting and turning stories sure to provide interesting and enjoyable reading.

; Five original fictional western stories. Featured is the innovative recovery of a buried gold train and accounts of the captures of murderous Train robbers. An interesting tale of wild horse capture. A 600 mile trek to sell 50 teams of oxen. Then dealing burro’s for gold miners, (Excerpt) Big man said , ‘”Shut up Johnny. Look mister we weren’t gonna do nothing. You didn’t have to pull a gun on me.” Cole said, “ You’re right, you weren’t gonna do nothing except get yourself killed , Johnny boy, you better get yourself a new partner, this one’s got Boot Hill written all over him. That left handed gun killing is cold blooded murder while a man offers you a welcome hand shake. No , big man, I’ll let someone else bury you.”

An album of five early western tales taken from the incidents and life styles common to the !850 era in our southwest. Written history states that murder and killing was common place between the mixed races at that time. Much more brutal and horrifying than the movies. My stories are written to bring, entertainment, adventure, unusual drama humor and romance where possible Violence unfortunately , was not rare. Life was short for most and shorter for others. 39 was an old man. Raiding a Cattle drive was bound to end with killing as trail driver Gyp said, “ You do that! I’ll meet you in Gun smoke Mister! Be sure to come shooting so I’ll know who you are. I wouldn’t wanna make a mistake thinking you might be an honest man.” Thanks for the read. Hope you enjoy.