Goodbye, Belvidere: A Hundred and Sixty Acres

By Joyce Wheeler

Description:

The dance floor had been built quickly under the starry South Dakota night sky. The musicians were locals, and they didn't sound half bad. The cowboys and the young ladies in 1898 loved dances, and at this gathering, CJ Crezner discovered that the most beautiful blue-eyed blonde he ever met was from his home state of Missouri. He doubted Deborah Lynn had ever been denied any request, and he was captivated by her in minutes. Ride with history as Carl John Crezner discovers an unexpected fondness for the prairie's capricious whims. At the turn of the century, the open range is disappearing, promises of railroads are on the horizon, and homesteaders are listening to the lure of free land. Changing times are coming, and cattlemen are becoming resigned to the dubious promises of progress. CJ has his own set of problems. He is a minister with a rich heritage of men in his family who preach the Word of God with passion and flare. CJ is filled with doubt about his capabilities, and heads north on a cattle drive to put as much distance between him and the waiting church back in Missouri as possible. Will his Grandfather disown him, or can beautiful Deborah Lynn persuade him to follow his family's wishes?

Book Takeaway:

Hardships, weather, interesting neighbors are all part of the rancher and homesteader's life. This is a journey back in time, and be prepared to marvel at the sturdy character of the people who settled this land.

Why the author wrote this book:

I've always been fascinated with the history of our area. Large cattle companies, hardy cowboys, and a battle with nature were prevalent at the turn of the century. But then came the homesteaders. I wanted to tell this story from an unbiased point of view, and so we are introduced to CJ Crezner, a minister's son from Missouri who has his own troubles. Combining fiction and history has been an absorbing task.