OVER THE SANTA FE TRAIL, 1857

Kansas City: Franklin Hudson Publishing Co., 1905., 1905. First edition. First edition. 6 3/4: x 5" original pictorial wrappers, 99 pp., illustrated. An account of a young man's experiences traveling the Santa Fe Trail in 1857. William B. Napton was a young Missourian who joined a wagon train when he was eighteen. He provides a vivid glimpse into the challenges, adventures, and cultural encounters faced by travelers along this iconic trail as they journeyed through vast prairies, rugged mountains, and arid deserts. Forty years later he wrote of his experiences and the book was published at Kansas City in 1905 ... Napton preserved sharp, indelible images of the nation's enchanted Trail: the crack of bullwhips, the threats of Indians, long days of endless plodding broken by a wild dash for buffalo or elk, the practical jokes of the rough teamsters, and the iron rule of the wagon master. Covers moderately used, faint vertical crease to the front cover, else a good+ copy. A rare book and much sought.