West of Paradise (25 page)

Historical Notes

T
he Adams Express Robbery really happened, but in 1867, not 1875, when an eight-man gang stole almost $700,000 of which only $100,000 was ever recovered—by the Pinkertons.

Hays City is now just Hays.

Tombstone was incorporated in 1879.

The gunfight near the OK corral occurred on the afternoon of October 26, 1881. After the gunfight Sheriff Behan tried to arrest Wyatt Earp, who refused to be arrested at that time. According to William M. Breckenridge (who some historians feel was biased), the Earps and Doc Holliday all went into the Oriental Saloon
after
they were released from custody. I have them all going over to the Oriental Saloon immediately after the gunfight, a bit of poetic license on my part. John P. Clum was the editor of the
Tombstone Epitaph
and mayor of Tombstone from 1881 to 1882.

Among the books I found helpful:

Buildings and Landmarks of Old Boston
by Howard S. Andros

Helldorado
by William M. Breckenridge

The Eye that Never Sleeps: A History of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency
by Frank Morn

Sentinel of the Plains: Fort Levenworth and the American West
by George Walton

About the Author

M
arcy Hatch started telling stories as a kid. She shared a room with her little sister and at night she’d offer three titles from which to choose. She would then make up a story on the spot, using the chosen title as a guide. Later this progressed to written stories, then typed, and finally—an actual manuscript.

Marcy Hatch lives in the Midcoast area of Maine with her not-so-smart lab and four cats. She currently blogs at www.mainewords.blogspot.com about a variety of subjects, including writing, zombies, Skyrim, books, birds, and history.

West of Paradise
is her first published work.

Acknowledgements

T
his being my first published book, and thus my first acknowledgement, I’ll keep it brief (like my blog posts). First and foremost, there are three teachers I absolutely have to thank for being there, for encouraging me, and giving me the best advice ever: Don’t stop writing! Thank you Mr. Wallace (from Norwell High School many moons ago), Mr. Elliott, and Mr. Bouchard (both from Chatham High School). I know it’s taken me a bit longer than expected but I finally have proof that I
am
a writer! You guys rocked. I also want to especially thank my mom and my sister, Lili, who always believed, and my most excellent CP (critique partner) and mentor, fellow author Dianne K. Salerni.