Rekindling Camp Fires: The Exploits of Ben Arnold (Connor). An Authentic Narrative of Sixty Years in the Old West as Indian Fighter, Gold Miner, Cowboy, Hunter and Army Scout

Bismark, ND: Capital Book Co, 1926. First Edition. 324pp. Octavo [22.5 cm] Blue cloth with the title gilt stamped on the backstrip. Very good/Near fine. Jacket is nicked at corners and the faded spine has tape at the crown. Book is in nice condition. Complete with map and all plates. "This volume is not a biography of a certain man; but rather the story of the times in which a certain man lived and did his humble part. It is history with the bark on; no attempt has been made to edit out even the harsh things that went to make up the pioneer civilization of which he was not an unworthy part. I have not glossed over his or others' faults. The desire for truth is stronger than the desire to cover up evil. When known, names of individuals have been mentioned. Some were morally delinquent, yet even they had some redeeming traits. Their shortcomings are not paraded; they are mentioned, not for the purpose of bringing odium upon them of their descendants, but simply to keep the historical narrative straight. Facts are stated with intentional fidelity; and I trust with sympathy and an average ability to see both sides of a question and the point of view of other people and other times; yet naught is set down in malice. Time has softened our judgments and we are now entitled to the whole story." - from the Introduction. Howes C872. Herd 607. Six-Guns 509. Graff 912. Luther 40.