Letters from the Past

About the Book

NON-FICTION HISTORY

“Letters from the Past” brings back and reveals the actual thoughts and experiences of our ancestors from 1816 thru 1956. 

The majority of the book centers on Dick Evans Arrowsmith (1862 – 1954) when he owned a horse and mule ranch in Nevada from 1890 to 1904.  He engaged in capturing and breaking wild horses as well as buying and selling horses and mules.  While away from his ranch on business, he wrote letters to his wife keeping her updated on his location and daily events.   His recorded work deserves to be saved for the reading enjoyment of today’s and future generations.   With cell phones and emails that get erased almost daily, it would be impossible to replicate this book for anyone living in today’s twenty-first century. 

In addition to Dick Arrowsmith’s life, other period happenings of interest are documented:

Simon Kenton, the famous frontiersman, sells land to Dick’s great grandfather in 1816.

Civil War letter of 1860 is written by Dick’s father.

Cattle Drives from the 1860’s are made by Dick’s uncles.

Extinct town of Dewey, Nevada is located near Dick’s horse and mule ranch.  

Horses and mules are sold to the US Calvary until 1904.

Primitive cabins and homes are described.

A California “posse” is encountered in 1857.

Travel by horseback, wagon, stagecoach, and 1869 passenger train is described. 

Contract bids are made to carry mail by horseback. 

Emphasizing, the letters and documents included are the exact words used without guess work or speculation.   A true read of life before airplanes, automobiles, cell phones, oil, and Chinese imports.

If the last chapter on “Revelations” saves just one person, this book will be a success.

About the Author

Dick Reed graduated from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio in 1960 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.  His work experience includes Arrowsmith Farms, The Boeing Co. in Seattle, Washington - Huntsville, Alabama - and New Orleans, Louisiana,  Franklin Electric Co. and The Red Cross Manufacturing Corp. in Bluffton, Indiana. 

The last 25 years of his working life was owner, manager of Reed's Ace Hardware in Bluffton, Indiana from which he retired in year 2000.  He is now 70 years old and wishes to preserve this bit of American history from loss to future generations.  He and his wife, Ann, now reside in Naples, Florida.  They have three children, 4 grandchildren, and four step-grandchildren.