Give History for Christmas

Sent to The Frederick Leader and The Frederick Press, December 13, 2011

History books make excellent gifts

Looking for a great gift?

Consider a book about history.

The Tillman County Historical Society sells a variety of books at the Pioneer Townsite Museum, and all proceeds from the book sales go to a great cause – the upkeep and operational expenses of the museum.

The museum’s most popular book is Bud and Me, the true-life account of Bud and Temple Abernathy’s adventures, written by Temple Abernathy’s wife Alta Abernathy. Bud and Me can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, but it makes a particularly good gift for young people. Cost of Bud and Me is $22, which includes tax.

My favorite book at the museum is a large book titled Struggles in a New State. Written by Oklahoma City attorney Larry Lewis, the book begins with the 1905 Roosevelt-Abernathy wolf hunt and the 1910 exploits of Bud and Temple Abernathy, but it also encompasses all that was happening in Oklahoma during the first decade of Oklahoma's statehood – politics and state government, new technology, transportation, women’s rights, and much more. It is a fascinating read, and well worth its $35 price.

Another strong seller at the Pioneer Townsite is a large paperbound book called The Greatest Wolf Hunter that ever lived: The Story of ‘Catch’em Alive’ Jack Abernathy, by Ronald J. Ward. It’s the life story of Jack Abernathy, from his days as a young cowboy and saloon piano player in Texas, his life as a settler in Oklahoma Territory, his 1905 wolf hunt with Theodore Roosevelt, and his adventures as a U.S. Marshal. Cost is $27.

Many other books are also available at the museum’s general store, including One Man in his Time by Tipton native Richard McCullough. The book is a biography of Richard’s father, Herbert Lorance McCullough and is fascinating not only for its stories of the McCullough family but also for its look at early Tipton and Tillman County history. The book sells for $16.

Richard McCullough is currently working Vol. I of a two-book Tipton area history that will be titled Peaceful Valley: A Portrait of a Prairie Town, and the Legacy of Small Town America. Vol. I will cover the late 1800s to the year 1950, and will be more than 400 pages of historical photos, stories, and research. It will not be available until summer of 2012, but Richard is taking advance orders now and will provide a custom designed gift card that can be presented for Christmas. Peaceful Valley will sell for $55 this summer, but can be pre-ordered now at $46.75 – a 15 percent discount. Orders can be sent to Richard McCullough, P.O. Box 517, Perkins, OK 74059. Ordering information is also available at Richard’s website www.onemaninhistime.com.

Tillman County’s history was published in two volumes in the late 1970s, and those books are always in great demand. The historical society currently has a set of both books (Vol. I and II) that are in perfect condition. Cost of the two-book set is $400. The books will make a great Christmas gift.

The Pioneer Townsite is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.