Pittsburg KS -- The Years of Growth

There were three of these signs on the lawyer's office that I mentioned yesterday. They all had these medallions on them which focused on the industry of the area. The verbiage on the next sign is on the  years of growth. Enjoy!

Medallions on the Signs of the History of Pittsburg, KS

 

The Years of Growth

Named after Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, our Pittsburg started at this street intersection on May 20, 1876 with the filing of a 160 acre plat by Franklin Playter, Girard; John B. Sergeant and E. R. Moffit, Joplin; and Col. Edwin H. Brown, Carthage.

Pittsburg was planned to be the focal point for shipping coal and receiving zinc ore on a railroad also built in 1876 connecting existing rail trunk lines at Girard and Joplin.

The first shaft coal mine in Pittsburg was sunk in 1877 probably to a depth of 250 ft. to mine the 30 inch beam with pick and shovel. Smelters for the zinc ore were built and by 1888 Pittsburg led the nation in zinc shipments. Shortly after that the nearby availability of natural gas marked the end of the smelting in Pittsburg.

Short as it was, the smelting of ore was an early sign that Pittsburg might not be just another mining camp destined to vanish as mining camps do.

By 1900 our population was some 10,000; five major railroads had been attracted by our coal; brick, tile and pipe were being manufactured from our shale; metalworking shops were busy; streetcars were operating and the first high school seniors were graduated in 1888.

By 1925 our population leveled at some 20,000. It included a colorful influx of immigrants recruited in Europe for the coal mines. These Europeans represented over 15% of the area’s population.



Small towns - Pittsburg-- er, Kansas that is

Many never think of the plains states, like Kansas, as having anything interesting in them.

If you're a history buff, they couldn't be more wrong. At one time, there was a line of Forts from Nebraska to Oklahoma that separated what was then the U.S. with the indian territory, all based on the treaties at the time. Thing was, most non-native settlers didn't respect the treaty and kept crossing the lines. "Manifest Destiny" came into being. Thus -- westward ho! However, before that could happen there needed to be areas where the people would gather and start the trek, like for the Oregon Trail. So, along this line many towns popped up, many which are still there and still have many building of historic value. That's part of what I love about these towns. The architecture. The period of the past had some wonderful design. It has character. So, through these views of the towns, note that I'll show several buildings, and hopefully, you'll be as enthralled with them as I was.

Now, yes, there is a Pittsburg Kansas. In fact, it's the home of Pittsburg State University. This is an older town -- for the area of the plains which has many trains that still come through, as did many of these towns on the plains. This town was named after Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Why? Because the big industry around there was and still is to some extent -- coal. Yep, there's coal buried in Kansas. (If you remember your history, millions of years ago there was a huge lake across the plains area which eventually evaporated and left many dead plant life, etc. which leads to coal....) Anyway, I took a pic of these three signs outside a law office that detailed some of the history. I'll share the first one with you today.

The Early Years

     Many Kansas towns were located because of top soil, climate or trails and rails leading elsewhere. Not so with Pittsburg. It was located here because of what lay beneath the soil, a climate that prevailed eons ago and became a place sought by railroads.
     Here we live where vast shallow undulating seas alternated with luxuriant plant growth to leave sediments that would fix our location. Those sediments because coal and shale.
     In dramatically different geology nearby, lead and zinc ores were located. 
     In 1803 the land and these natural riches became American with the Louisiana Purchase.
     Before their discovery few settlers came. Later the area became the Cherokee neutral lands, a buffer closed to settlement to preserve the peace with the Cherokees after their forcible removal from Georgia to Oklahoma via the tragic Trail of Tears in 1939.
     The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 spawned clashes between the border ruffians of pro-slave Missouri and the free state Jayhawkers along the border of bleeding Kansas.
     Before and during the Civil War (1861-1865) these incidents occurred sporatically in our vicinity. The Civil War in the west ended in 1864 with the defeat of the confederates at the Battle of the Mine Creek some fifty miles north of here. Kansas became a state in 1861 and fought with the north.

Small Towns

I love visiting small towns. I've done several over the past few years so I've decided to restart this blog and let everyone know the treasures I've found there. I know most don't think much of the plains states, except maybe Kansas City, but there is a lot of history here. I'll share some of that with you as well as some Civil War stuff over the next few months.

We've got a lot going on as a country. Perhaps looking at the past can remind us where we should be going.

~ Lise

Coming Soon!

Hi, all. Letting everyone know I'm redoing my website and will restart the blogs at that time! Looking for a March launch date. Take care and many blessings. Thanks for sticking with me and see you then!


~ Lise

How much danger would you face for the perfect romance?

Lise Fuller, www.lisefuller.com, www.myspace.com/lisefuller, ROMANTIC TIMES REVIEWERS CHOICE NOMINEE, 2006; Pikes Peak Romance Writers 2006 Author of the Year; Best Newsletter Article of the Year for 2006-Colorado Romance Writers

~On Danger's Edge, available at Borders, Barnes & Noble and in e-book, Cerridwen Press, www.cerridwenpress.com, 4 1/2 Stars from Romantic Times
~Intimate Deceptions, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, www.cerridwenpress.com, RECOMMENDED READS from Coffee Time Romance and Joyfully Reviewed
~Cutting Loose, available at Borders, Barnes & Noble and in e-book, Cerridwen Press, www.cerridwenpress.com

Love Your Workouts! Er, not....

If you've been reading me a while, you know there's a local sportswriter that I love to read. He's a an article every Monday in the Gazette and his name is Milo Bryant. Today he had an article in there called "You don't like your workout? That's tough." I LOVE it! It's so true.

Now, Milo is a no-holds-barred person, which I really admire. He tells it like it is. In today's post, he talks about people complaining about being hot, sweaty, etc. and that it's the basis of the world's ills. Yet, they STILL want to look--as he states-- "fantabulous". He talks about a 'funny' line he'd gotten--"If I was supposed to be buff, I would not have been born so soft." But he has a rebuttal to those complaining who still want to look great -- "Tough poopoo for you." LOL!

His point? There is no written rule that says your workout has to be fun or that you have to enjoy it. And I agree. We've been spoiled a lot in like, having things come easy. But being in great shape takes work, and no magic pill or overnight diet will do that for you.

Another great point he makes is that when you work out, you're pushing your body beyond its normal limits to establish a new baseline and you're stepping out of your comfort zone, which is

typically unpleasant. But as he says, if you're performing your work right, it's never easy, and it's rarely fun. One thing I can say though--when you've achieved something you didn't know you could, or even thought it was beyond you, it's an incredible feeling of accomplishment.

Now, Milo gives some advise to make things easier: "Understand." See the benefits of what you are doing, add some music to pump you up, get your family involved and make a game out of it.

If you'd like to read more, here's the link: http://www.gazette.com/articles/working_22649___article.html/fitness_supposed.html

And you can email Milo at milo.bryant@gazette.com. He has another fitness challenge he's ready to do with someone as well, so if you're in the area, check it out.

~ Lise

How much danger would you face for the perfect romance? Lise Fuller, http://www.lisefuller.com/, www.myspace.com/lisefuller, ROMANTIC TIMES REVIEWERS CHOICE NOMINEE, 2006; Pikes Peak Romance Writers 2006 Author of the Year, Colorado Romance Writers Newletter Article Award for 2006
~On Danger's Edge, print-03/07, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, http://www.cerridwenpress.com/, 4 1/2 Stars from Romantic Times
~Intimate Deceptions, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, http://www.cerridwenpress.com/, RECOMMENDED READS from Coffee Time Romance and Joyfully Reviewed
~Cutting Loose, print-04/07, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, http://www.cerridwenpress.com/

Don't Spill The Coffee!

Well, I finally did it. Split coffee on my laptop keyboard. So I'll be offline a while until this gets fixed. However, one must love the the break. I've been thinking I've been too attached to the internet as it it. And I can still write--the old fashioned way. With pen and paper. Hey, whatever works!

Now ya'll take care until I get back.

~ Lise

How much danger would you face for the perfect romance? Lise Fuller, www.lisefuller.com, www.myspace.com/lisefuller, ROMANTIC TIMES REVIEWERS CHOICE NOMINEE, 2006; Pikes Peak Romance Writers 2006 Author of the Year ~On Danger's Edge, print-03/07, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, www.cerridwenpress.com, 4 1/2 Stars from Romantic Times~Intimate Deceptions, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, www.cerridwenpress.com, RECOMMENDED READS from Coffee Time Romance and Joyfully Reviewed~Cutting Loose, print-04/07, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, www.cerridwenpress.com

Recovering From RT!

Stuffing Bags for Moulin Rouge =>

Wow! What a high-energy conference! I've never been to a Romantic Times conference before and for my first conference I have to say--fantastic! But, geez, I wish my fellow authors would have warned this RT Virgin a bit more!

But I'm jumping ahead--first, we worked. (And let me apologize for the photo quality. I'd forgotten my camera and had to use an instamatic!) Here's the set up in the Imperial Ball room where we stuff over 800 bags with goodies for the attendees of Ellora's Cave Moulin Rouge party. And it was the first awesome experience I had. First, meeting all these wonderful ladies -- and Rod, the first Prince of EC -- was so much fun. You know, you see people on line, but then meeting them in person is such a treat. What a wonderful group. And the EC staff -- Kelly, Jeania, Patty and Cindy -- we're so kind and sweet. I love these gals and they're the reason I love being a Jasmine-Jade author.

Well, when we finished stuffing the bags, the calendar 'boys' were outside signing the EC calendars. They lined up from January to December and they were awesome and so nice! I got 5 calendars--one for each of my critique partners (sshhhh, don't tell them, it's a surprise) and each one of them personalized each calendars. The funniest thing was, when I got to John (the cowboy), there was a break in the tables. So I needed to shuffle the calendars over a few at a time. Anyway, when I got to him, in a panic I said, "I've got five coming." He turns to the others and said, "Look out guys, we got a stalker!" I blushed. Didn't know what to say. But everyone laughed. Anyway, I was known as the stalker after that.

<= The Calendar Boys=>

(John is first on the right in this picture =>)

Now you would think that after being tagged like that the party should have been a breeze. No way! Omigod. I never expected. First we were escorted over the stage and down the stairs. Thank goodness those handsome hunks held onto our arms tight and held us close because while trying to walk down those rickety stairs in spiked heels,I know some of us would have tripped. Anyway, one of the hunks (I won't mention who--ahem) after the ceremonies came up, took my hands and put them on his pecs. Omigod! I never expected that! And, even being a very happily married woman, I have to say--Damn, did that feel good! Then Ash, my roommate and I, asked Ryan if he'd take a picture with us. Well, when he whispered in my ear in that oh-so-sexy voice of his "Lift your leg, sweetheart", how could I resist? (Ahem.)

<= Ryan & Me at the Moulin Rouge Party Okay, so I'm only human, but that's as wild as I got--promise! Anyway, we had a nice chat and he's a really nice guy (plus, he feels incredible.) Ok, enough of that. Besides, I had my own incredible hunk at home (and he feels even better! Better yet, he's all mine! Yeah!)

Well, the party was great--and yes, I danced but behaved myself! Still, the next day was just as busy if not more. (Got my workout in though!) And guess what? Came down stairs and found both John and Rodney practicing body building poses. I asked if they were competing and John told me he was trying to get ready for a show in July. They let me take some shots, so I'll share them here with you.























And here's a few more. In the one that looks like 'just John', look again. Rodney is actually behind him! John is a big man!






















And for the LAST pose I took of them -- I have to admit, this is my fav! THANK YOU KIM LOWE FOR TAKING THE PIC! (Yes, it's me! Look how small I look!)

Well, then at the Vampire Ball, guess what, the most romantic thing happened. My own PERSONAL hunk showed and surprised me in his dress blues! Yowzer! And before you say it, he REALLY did just show up to support me. Plus, he'll be gone for awhile sooner than what we thought. Besides, we hadn't had a weekend, much less a night, alone since before 2001. So there you have it. It was a stitch. The next morning, I redressed in my previous night's clothes, carried my heels, and had to explain to two women at the elevator I was really with my husband! Then when I got to my 'other' room--the one I shared with Ash, she has the nerve to say "It's about time young lady!" LOL! I felt like a twenty year old on a one-night stand. What a fantasy come true!

Captain Tom (my real hero and the model for all my book's heroes) & I at the Vampire Ball

Another of the funniest things was, I continued the fantasy of 'picking up a sexy military guy' at the SOS Soiree, a gathering for those supporting the military, and snuck up behind him, saying something like, "Hey, sexy, I'd like to take you home." Two women next to him that he'd been talking to were ready to jump up and protect his honor! But before they could, Tom told them I was his wife. We all had a good laugh. They were both military spouses (one an ex-MP) and were going to tell them "HE'S MARRIED!" LOL! What a week!

Then we had the signing. It was wonderful and I was honored to meet all those in person I've meet online on myspace and on the loops as well as reviewers whom I love. Ya'll rock! Oh, and some guy who's doing a video blog interviewed me. It was awesome.

<= Thanks to Lillian Feisty for this Pic!


Well, that's it for now. Thanks for joining me and to all, many blessings! You rock!

~ Lise

How much danger would you face for the perfect romance?

Lise Fuller, www.lisefuller.com, www.myspace.com/lisefuller, ROMANTIC TIMES REVIEWERS CHOICE NOMINEE, 2006; Pikes Peak Romance Writers 2006 Author of the Year

~On Danger's Edge, print-03/07, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, www.cerridwenpress.com, 4 1/2 Stars from Romantic Times
~Intimate Deceptions, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, www.cerridwenpress.com, RECOMMENDED READS from Coffee Time Romance and Joyfully Reviewed
~Cutting Loose, print-04/07, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, www.cerridwenpress.com

Signing At RT!

For those of you coming to RT, I'll be signing On Danger's Edge (the book nominated for one of this year's RT Reviewers Choice Awards) and Cutting Loose at the book fair on Sat! Come by and see me, even if it's just to chat!
~ Lise
How much danger would you face for the perfect romance? Lise Fuller, http://www.lisefuller.com/, www.myspace.com/lisefuller, ROMANTIC TIMES REVIEWERS CHOICE NOMINEE, 2006; Pikes Peak Romance Writers 2006 Author of the Year
~On Danger's Edge, print-03/07, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, http://www.cerridwenpress.com/, 4 1/2 Stars from Romantic Times
~Intimate Deceptions, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, http://www.cerridwenpress.com/, RECOMMENDED READS from Coffee Time Romance and Joyfully Reviewed
~Cutting Loose, print-04/07, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, http://www.cerridwenpress.com/

New Review For Intimate Deceptions!

Hi, all! The book that got Coffee Time's FIRST Recommended Read award and a Recommended read from Joyfully Reviewed got another 5 HEARTS from Love Romances and more and I had to celebrate! Woohoo!

Here's part of the review:

"There is nothing better than a story you just can’t seem to put down and Lise Fuller’s INTIMATE DECEPTIONS definitely fits this description. Elena and Brodie’s story is action, suspense and strong emotion from first page to last. Fuller keeps readers on the edge of their seats trying to figure out what is going to happen next to these two very passionate characters as they work their way back together as lies and secrets try equally hard to keep them apart.

The storyline flows so very nicely from one shocking surprise to the next. It would be difficult indeed not to feel for Elena and Brodie after the way fate has treated them both. The emotions these characters produce are very real. When this reader found herself crying over the story’s villain, Ms. Fuller cemented her spot as a “must have” author for a coveted place on an already overflowing bookcase of exceptional authors."

If you're interested, check out the blurb and excerpt at this link! http://www.cerridwenpress.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=1-4199-0787-5

Thanks for helping me celebrate!

~ Lise

How much danger would you face for the perfect romance?

Lise Fuller, www.lisefuller.com, www.myspace.com/lisefuller, ROMANTIC TIMES REVIEWERS CHOICE NOMINEE, 2006; Pikes Peak Romance Writers 2006 Author of the Year

~On Danger's Edge, print-03/07, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, www.cerridwenpress.com, 4 1/2 Stars from Romantic Times
~Intimate Deceptions, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, www.cerridwenpress.com, RECOMMENDED READS from Coffee Time Romance and Joyfully Reviewed
~Cutting Loose, print-04/07, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, www.cerridwenpress.com