This photo was taken by L. A. Huffman in 1878 at Fort Keogh, Montana, of Pretty Nose, a Cheyenne Woman, courtesy of Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives. Although the image is not of a Flathead woman, it evoked in me the spirit of Takánsy as I imagine her: strong, proud, yet troubled and unsure […]
Mariano’s Woman, published by Pronghorn Press, is a historical novel featuring nineteenth-century clashes between Jesuit “blackrobes,” mountain men and Montana Indian tribes. Based on the true story of Takansy, the Indian wife of early Colorado pioneer Mariano Medina, award-winning author David M. Jessup explores the theme of what happens to souls in the afterlife.
Saturday, May 25th, 2019 8:30 to 11:00 AM Sylvan Dale Ranch ~ Loveland, Colorado Learn How Angel Vigil Becomes Mariano Medina The Big Thompson’s first settler, Mariano Medina, died over 150 years ago. But he’s “re-visiting” Loveland in the form of historical reenactor Angel Vigil. Angel is an accomplished author, performer, theatre director, and educator. He […]
I was so gratified by the latest five-star Amazon customer reviews of my second historical novel, Mariano’s Choice, that in a moment of madness I decided to offer a holiday gift sale: 10% off on each book, or 15% off if you buy both books. You have to order from my website, davidmjessup.com/books, for this […]
Four years after a monster flood tore through the Big Thompson River corridor, great progress has been made in restoring ecological health and resilience to a dozen of the hardest hit stream reaches. These projects, carried out by the non-profit Big Thompson Watershed Coalition, were visited by a busload of landowners, public officials, technical advisers […]
New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman spent two days at Sylvan Dale Ranch during her September 18-19 visit to Colorado as the “Loveland Loves to Read” author of the year. Hillerman spoke to a sold-out crowd at the Rialto Theater on Monday night, and to another sold-out lunch at the Ranch on Tuesday. She […]
Video of trout habitat restoration after Big Thompson flood in Colorado
The June issue of True West Magazine contains a nice review of Mariano’s Choice, my second historical novel. Here’s a quote: Is courage something learned or is it in our DNA? Can we control it? Based on a true story, Mariano’s Choice (Pronghorn Press, $19.95) follows Mariano Medina’s quest for courage and respect—growing from a […]
Where are the bodies buried? That question still haunts the graveyard of Mariano Medina, Loveland, Colorado’s first settler. The cemetery was torn down in January 1960 to make way for development. Thanks to Bill Meirath and others in the Loveland Historical Society, the Medina Cemetery has been restored. But the question lingers: whose remains are […]
In going through my wife’s old (unpublished) poems, I came across another I really like: THE FIRE Opening the restaurant door I saw them huddled low Over the single flame. My arrival stirred the embers of conversation And pushed another log into the glow. Faces reddened in the warmth as tongues Of eager talk leaped […]