Medicine Creek Claim told the story of two sisters who left war-torn Missouri during the Civil War to start new lives in Dakota Territory. Except it didn’t tell both sisters’ stories. I had written three-quarters of the novel when I realized I had told Charlotte’s story. What about Lizzy?
I had two choices. I could rewrite the novel to include Lizzy’s story. Or, I could write a sequel that focused on Lizzy. I chose door #2. I loved Lizzy Ward in Medicine Creek Claim. She was gutsy and sassy – she had attitude. Clearly, she deserved her own book. It also allowed me to further explore who Lizzy was and what her story would be. This was the beginning of the fourth book in the On the Dakota Frontier series.
Iron Horse Claim is set in an exciting time in America’s history. The railroads are connecting people across the country, from coast to coast. Manufacturing innovations like windmills allow farmers and ranchers to better utilize water. Newspapers in cities and small towns provide an information infrastructure that builds cohesiveness in the country.
Lizzy’s story is set seven years in the future. She’s a single mother, raising the orphaned Max on her farm outside Shady Bluffs in Dakota Territory. In this book, Lizzy and Charlotte have proven their claims — just like 42% of all women homesteaders did. Charlotte and her family live in Shady Bluffs, where she is the town doctor.
Lizzy manages both farms. But she also cultivates relationships. Lizzy believes that people on the frontier need to watch out for each other. In my SD Humanities Council talk, “Women Tamed the Frontier,” there are examples of how women impacted the “wild and wooly” frontier, as one woman homesteader called it. Women established schools and churches and nurtured friendships with neighbors.
Lizzy Ward is one of those pioneers who builds community.
I hope you enjoy reading Iron Horse Claim as much as I enjoyed writing it.