The novel
Stampede by Tim Washburn is an interesting read. If there were not so many different story lines, the novel would have been much more enjoyable. There were numerous threads that in the beginning were actually hard to follow. At one point, I almost gave up but decided to persevere.
It would have been great if somewhere in the beginning the various participants in the land-rush "stampede" into Indian Territory were identified. It is not that the individual stories were not entertaining and displayed what I perceive to have been real issues including the groups known as Sooners (those who went early) to stake out their claims.
Life and love were on display here as were many different reasons for seeking to claim land. There is also a young love story of a mixed-race young man and a lovely Comanche young woman and the differences in what might be termed White upbringing and Comanche upbringing clashing. Theirs is not the only love story that is described although the others might be thought of as more traditional.
Lots of openness to various marriages and arrangements come into focus all aiming toward claiming the 160 acres that became available. As in any Western there is frontier justice as well as compassion
Having finished the book, I am very glad I did as the connections became clear -- just wished there might have been a "cheat sheet" to help in keeping the players straight...almost like a cast of characters!!
Still enjoyable with the caveat that a piece of paper and pencil is helpful in keeping the couples and individuals straight!! Would recommend it for those interested in the era.
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