Dennis Doty: Behind the Chutes

Celebrating Stories and Winners from the Frontier

Welcome to the Winter issue of Saddlebag Dispatches magazine. This issue dives deep into the California Gold Rush, exploring its rich history and captivating stories.

Michael Norman took home the WRMA Gold Medal for Western Short Stories for his piece, "A Death of Crows."

Photo by Casey W. Cowan

We also celebrate the success of the 2nd Annual Longhorn Award. This year’s winning story, Bob Armstrong’s “Clay Allison’s Girl,” is featured in this issue. Special congratulations to last year’s winner, Michael Norman, whose story “A Death of Crows” went on to win gold in the Western Short Fiction category at the Will Rogers Medallion Awards. Another frequent contributor and celebrated author, W. Michael Farmer, earned silver for his story, “Finding Fortune,” a compelling modern western set along the southern border.

Managing Editor Anthony Wood represented Saddlebag Dispatches at the Will Rogers Medallion Awards in Fort Worth.

Photo by Casey W. Cowan

The Will Rogers Medallion Awards spotlighted even more talent in the western genre. Bob Boze Bell, publisher of True West, took home the coveted Golden Lariat Award for service to the Western genre, and Jane Kirkpatrick was awarded a richly-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award.

In the Western Traditional Fiction category, W. Michael Farmer’s Desperate Warrior: Days of War, Days of Peace, Chato’s Chiricahua Apache Legacy Book One tied for Silver with Pegg Thomas’ Silver Prairies, while Paul Colt earned Bronze for Lunger: The Doc Holliday Story. Reavis Z. Wortham claimed Bronze in Western Mystery for Hard Country, Chris Enss won Silver in Western Non-Fiction for An Open Secret: The Story of Deadwood’s Most Notorious Bordellos, and Sherry Monahan’s Signature Dishes of America took Silver in the Western Cookbook category.

Sherry Monahan took home the Will Rogers Medallion Silver Medal in the Western Cookbook category for Signature Dishes of America

Photo by Casey W. Cowan

In the Illustrated Western Young Readers category, Joni Franks’ Corky Tails: Holly Berry & Mistletoe won Silver, and she was also named Illustrator of the Year. Finally, our very own Saddlebag Dispatches Research Director, Barbara Clouse, earned Gold for her book, The Healing Lodge. Congratulations to all these remarkable western authors!

Author Barbara Clouse poses with Young Dragons Publisher Amy Cowan as they celebrate taking the Will Rogers Medallion Gold Medal for The Healing Lodge

Photo by Casey W. Cowan

Hearty congratulations are also in order for New York Times bestselling author Chris Enss, who also recently won Women Writing the West’s prestigous Downing Journalism Award for her article, “The Attorney Teacher: Sarah Herring Sorin,” which appeared in the Tombstone Epitaph. Her remarkable work was joined by runners-up Kenyon Bennett for “Rowdy Cowboys, Outlaws, and a Blood Feud” in True West Magazine and Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear for “Bison: A Barnyard Revolution? Or a Looming Disaster” in Bison Review Magazine. Well done to all of these outstanding journalists!

New York Times bestselling author Chris Enss won the Will Rogers Medallion Silver Medal for Western Nonfiction for her book, An Open Secret: The Story of Deadwood’s Most Notorious Bordellos,

Photo by Casey W. Cowan

This issue ofers even more treasures. Regina McLemore shares the incredible journey of a Cherokee wagon train to the goldfelds, while Sherry Monahan’s Lively Libations column adds a bright and favorful touch. Terry Alexander delves into Hollywood’s interpretation of the Gold Rush era, examining how it has been portrayed on the silver screen.

Among our features, Anthony Wood brings us a fascinating look at the true identity of the legendary Zorro, while Regina McLemore tells the inspiring story of Mary Ellen Pleasant, the first Black woman millionaire. Terry Alexander highlights the adventurous life of gambler Eleanor Dumont, and George “Clay” Mitchell shares an insightful profle of Reavis Z. Wortham.

Our short fiction selection for this issue is equally compelling, showcasing the work of fve exceptional western authors, including Thom Brucie, Will Ames, Don Money, Benjamin Thomas, and James A Tweedie.

Last but not least, settle in for “Second Anniversary,” Part 2 of our 3 part Western Time-Travel serial by New York Times bestseller Reavis Z. Wortham.

As we continue to celebrate Saddlebag Dispatches’ 10th anniversary, we’re thrilled to announce some exciting news. Starting in April, the magazine will expand to three issues per year, ensuring even more stories, columns, and features to delight western enthusiasts. Thank you for your continued support over the last decade, and we look forward to bringing you even more incredible content in the months and years to come.

So, pull up a log, pour yourself a steaming cup of cofee from the camp pot, and settle in to enjoy the very best in western storytelling.

Dennis Doty