The Ignored 1849 Death Valley Christmas Tragedy

I recently posted a story from the National Park Service, titled "Christmas Tragedy on the Emigrant Trails: Christmas 1849 at Death Valley, California." It is a classic tale of pioneer perseverance and survival during the Westward expansion, with a key account in William Manly's memoir, Death Valley in '49.

The story is about a large group of 49ers crossing Death Valley at Christmas. But the "Christmas tragedy" of 1849 wasn't a single Christmas Day event. Also known as the "Death Valley 1849 Disaster," it is a cautionary tale about the harrowing experience of the Death Valley '49er pioneers traveling to the California Gold Rush who got stranded in the harsh desert valley while taking a supposed shortcut from Salt Lake City.

It's a tale about the torturous winter ordeal of those who were told of a shortcut to the California goldfields. They became lost, faced starvation, burned their wagons, and ate their oxen. It was a desperate situation where 13 members of their party died. Reports state "a stranger showed the emigrants a curious, hand-sketched 'trapper’s map' leading directly to the gold diggings and purporting to shave about 500 miles off the overland trip."

Their goal was to use that shortcut to reduce their journey to the California gold fields during the Gold Rush by 500 miles. They left Salt Lake City in the fall of 1849, too late to cross the Sierra Nevada, and chose the Old Spanish Trail, then a supposedly shortcut that proved disastrous. They were trapped by the desert, and they faced extreme thirst and hunger, leading them to slaughter their oxen, burn wagons for fuel, and leave behind possessions in a grueling march to escape.

As the stranded group left, someone was heard famously saying, "Good-bye, Death Valley," as they left. The name stuck. It is commonly believed that their plight is why Death Valley is named what it is. It became known as Death Valley after their fatal experience. And yes, their ordeal cemented Death Valley's fearsome reputation.

You would think that what happened during the Christmas Tragedy of 1849 would teach a moral or practical lesson about avoiding harm. I would think knowing how members of that group made such poor choices and suffered so severely, faced tremendous consequences, death, that someone may have learned something from that horrible event. Fear of that memorable lesson would prevent others from repeating the same mistakes.

In that story, people faced a choice, but temptation won out. They ignored warnings. They ignored good advice and common sense. Indeed, they faced the consequences of their poor decision. In the 1849 Death Valley Christmas Tragedy, the participants suffered a tragic end, illustrating the consequences of their actions.

The lessons of the "Lost 49ers" were many. Among those lessons is that their poor choices led them to take a shortcut that brought them into the desolation of Death Valley just before Christmas 1849. Consequently, those pioneers suffered greatly from a lack of water and food. Their animals died of exhaustion and thirst. The group splintered, with different parties pursuing various escape routes, only exacerbating the disaster. Their choice to take that so-called shortcut not only cost them their valuable time and nearly all their possessions and animals, but also the lives of 13 of their group. 

The experience became a testament to pioneering grit and to how the ultimate dangers of ambition can override caution in the American West. Of course, the primary lessons learned from the 1849 Death Valley Christmas tragedy center on the dangers of ignoring expert advice, the critical need for reliable information and preparation, and the necessity of cooperation for survival.

The most significant mistake was ignoring the warnings of seasoned guide Jefferson Hunt, who advised the wagon train to stay on the established and safer Old Spanish Trail. A large portion of the group believed a "shortcut" existed and decided to venture into an uncharted arid desert, which led to the disaster. The pioneers used a "hand-sketched trapper's map" that was inaccurate and left out obstacles, water sources, and accurate distances.

It would have been a blessing to have up-to-date information when navigating such a dangerous and unforgiving land. It would also have been beneficial if they had adequate supplies for the harsh conditions they encountered. Those pioneers were forced to adapt to the harsh terrain by abandoning their heavy wagons and many of their possessions to survive the treacherous terrain, highlighting their need to adapt to changing conditions and prioritize essential supplies such as water and food.

Because they lost direction and became trapped in the desolate valley, this led to immense suffering, and they nearly perished before being rescued.

Of course, while some died, most of the group survived the desperate hardship and immense suffering with courage and tenacity. Young scouts William Manly and John Rogers famously set out on foot to find help. It was their determination that eventually enabled them to reach civilization and return to lead the remaining families out to safety. Imagine that for a moment. William Manly and John Rogers left on foot to find help. Then they actually returned with supplies, saving the stranded families. To me, that qualifies as a miracle of sorts.

It's true. While some groups splintered and some individuals abandoned their companions, the survival of the Bennett-Arcane and Wade families ultimately depended on perseverance and the selfless actions of two young men, William Lewis Manly and John Rogers, who trekked more than 250 miles to seek assistance and return with supplies. This rescue stands as a testament to the value of teamwork and loyalty in a crisis. 

What baffles me is why they followed that stranger's advice? Was it just the prospect of cutting 500 miles off their journey? Was that the lure that made some jump at the chance, even though the route they were on was known, and the other was the unknown? 

There are so many questions that hit me as I read more about this.

Even back in the day, it was a widely recognized truth that following bad advice can have devastating, and even life-threatening, consequences. This was especially true when dealing with important matters like taking an untraveled "shortcut" in a desert. There were reasons that the untraveled "shortcut" was not used. And yes, someone should have asked about the availability of water.

On that shortcut, they found no water. They learned the hard way that the absence of water was likely the reason the route was not being used as the primary route. And no. I can't help but wonder if that "hand-sketched trapper’s map" pointed out where water was to be found, and it simply wasn't there. 

Frankly, it sounds like it wasn't much of a map to risk the lives of the entire group. Because they didn't know what lay before them beyond what was known on a "hand-sketched trapper's map," and because lives were at risk, the potential for harm underscores the need to approach such advice with caution and a grain of salt.

Let's be frank here, bad advice can be dangerous. And yes, back in the day, such advice as telling gullible travel-weary folks about a shortcut that can save them 500 miles should have been questioned. They were lucky that more didn't die.

Today, bad advice can get folks in trouble and even cost people money. As for the physical harm of bad advice today? In extreme cases, acting on poor advice can directly lead to injury or death. From telling someone that it's okay to have another drink when they're already showing signs of intoxication, to telling someone drive faster than they should, to telling someone that they are capable of doing things they obviously shouldn't be doing, bad advice is unhealthy. And really, it's not funny. 

It's like the guy who sets up a greenhorn for disaster as a joke. And yes, I've seen someone tell a greenhorn, someone who knew nothing about horses, that riding a rank horse is how you become a good cowboy. Advice like that can get someone hurt or worse.

Of course, even in less extreme scenarios, bad advice can lead to significant suffering, cause anxiety, stress, depression, and possibly result in long-term regret, and make one wary of trusting others again. Losing trust in others can erode confidence in one's own judgment and affect future relationships.

That is why we know we should never blindly accept advice. It can hinder our ability to trust our own judgment and screw with our essential decision-making skills. And let's be honest here, there is the possibility that the stranger who came up with that "hand-sketched trapper’s map" could have been someone intentionally offering bad advice. Sadly, some people intentionally offer harmful advice to sabotage others.

As for simply accepting what they were told and taking that route, why didn't they consider the source? They didn't know the person giving them advice. What made them think the stranger had relevant, trustworthy expertise of that supposed shortcut? And why not question everything that didn't seem right or didn't align with their own knowledge? Why not ask if he ever traveled that route? Why not ask about the terrain? Why not find out why that shorter route isn't being used as the primary route? Why not get more answers before gambling on an unknown route that no one used, especially since there were lives at stake? And let's remember, 13 people died because the gamble to take that shortcut didn't pay off.

The bottom line should have been a combination of trusting your judgment while trying not to bow to the temptation of cutting 500 miles off such a grueling journey. Ultimately, they were responsible for their own decisions and outcomes. Hopefully, they weighed the stranger's advice against their own knowledge and instincts before committing to possible disaster.

Although it is a cautionary tale that one would think would serve as an example to warn others about potential dangers or negative consequences, teaching a lesson through the mistakes and adverse outcomes of others to encourage safer behavior or better decisions, Death Valley continued to draw prospectors seeking silver, gold, and borax.

While some say the cautionary tale of the 1849 Disaster faded from memory, it simply didn't matter to many who knew the story. We know this because prospectors risked death in Death Valley for the allure of immense wealth from gold, silver, and borax. Driven by dreams of striking it rich, possibly escaping poverty, or maybe just for the sheer thrill of discovering a fortune in a seemingly barren land, many prospectors went into Death Valley believing the extreme danger kept rivals away and really wasn't a problem for them. 

Although many found only hardship and really lived small, meager lives, never getting close to being rich, following the 1849 California Gold Rush, prospectors continued to search for new deposits. And yes, mere rumors of silver or gold strikes pulled people in. After all, many saw the dangers as not applying to them.

Many were desperate for a new life, seeking freedom from stifling traditions or escaping financial hardship, viewing the desert as a last chance for a better future. The extreme difficulty and isolation of Death Valley acted as a magnet for some. Regarding the dangers of prospecting in Death Valley, many saw them as not applying to them, while others viewed them as beneficial because they supposedly meant fewer competitors. Some believed that the hardship and danger of Death Valley increased the likelihood of their success.

Let's remember that prospectors risked going into Death Valley after the 1849 Disaster because of the unquenchable lure of gold, silver, and, later, the discovery of borax. Combined with the belief that the earlier group failed due to "bad luck" or "bad choices," not inherent impossibility, with the promise of wealth overriding the horrors of the past, the prospect of instant wealth drew them back to exploit new mineral discoveries.

The horrible story of the "Lost '49ers" became a cautionary tale, and just as with other stories of survival that took place out there, many believed they could succeed where others failed by taking better routes or planning more carefully. Basically, the desire for wealth, coupled with the human tendency to believe that people can outsmart and overcome past failures, drove prospectors to Death Valley despite the known dangers.

Yes indeed, the desire to strike it rich motivates some to do things that most of us are completely unable to fathom. For example, believe it or not, it's said that some members of the rescued group of '49ers decided to return to Death Valley later to strike it rich. As strange as it sounds for anyone to return, some did. And yes, we can only hope they were better prepared the second time around.

Of course, no one knows how many prospectors died prospecting Death Valley while ignoring the lessons of the past. It's true. No one knows. The fact is that the exact number of prospectors who died is unknown because of the harsh conditions and remoteness of the area.

The fact is that many prospectors just disappeared, never to be seen again. If they died, most were never found. Of course, many prospectors died alone or in small, undocumented groups far from settlements. Many died from thirst, heat, and starvation. And yes, even with later mining booms, there were more deaths from accidents and the desert's unforgiving climate. Official records are scarce because most early mining operations focused on extraction and paid little attention to documenting fatalities.

So while Death Valley's history is filled with stories of prospectors meeting tragic ends, the number of people who have died there over the years since 1849 is anyone's guess. And no, Death Valley itself has never been a help in the process of recovering dead prospectors. After all, extreme heat and the absence of water quickly destroyed bodies and evidence of how one met their death. That's always been the case.

Most prospectors experienced little to no success, faced extreme heat, lacked water, had scarce food, and struggled to travel. Venturing into the valley and possibly thinking that you were above what happened to the "Lost 49ers" would have made you a fool. Of course, that was the real danger of Death Valley in the 1800's. And yes, it's the same today.

In the 1800s, the real danger of prospecting in Death Valley wasn't the heat and lack of water. The real danger came from a powerful, all-consuming ellexer of arrogance. It was a mix of dreams and the tantalizing possibility of finding unimaginable wealth. The mix produced an exaggerated sense of one's own abilities in such an unforgiving environment. It's what drove people into Death Valley despite the very real risks of death.

Overconfidence in conquering nature and "gold fever" drove many a prospector to take insane risks, ignoring warnings of such tales of what happened to the "Lost 49ers." The valley's lethal heat and lack of water didn't stop the pursuit of riches. Many believed their ambition could overcome the harsh desert, but the reality was a harsh lesson in humility, with many perishing, earning the valley its deadly reputation. And yes, it often led to the deaths of many.

The discovery of gold in California triggered a mass migration, making prospectors feel invincible and driven by an almost religious zeal to find wealth, no matter the cost. The infamous "Lost '49ers" group, who took a supposed shortcut through the uncharted Death Valley desert to reach the California gold fields, did so defying their Wagon Master's warnings. Their arrogance sealed their fate.

It's true. While it was a good thing that our early pioneers had immense faith in their wagons and willpower, their underestimating the extreme desert conditions, the scorching heat, lack of water, and horrid terrain all proved deadly. Death Valley was notoriously unforgiving, a place where basic survival was a daily struggle, something many newcomers failed to grasp. The arrogance of many a fool led to catastrophic misjudgments. They died as a result of starvation and dehydration while famously giving the valley its name. And yes, that's how we know the 1849 Death Valley Christmas Tragedy became an ignored cautionary tale. 

As with many accounts of the Old West, the 1849 Death Valley ordeal is a compelling testament to the toughness and pure resiliency of human endurance. It's a cautionary tale that teaches us what can happen when bad choices and poor decision-making, fueled by the desire to reach the California goldfields more quickly, result in the deaths of many. 

The tale of life-or-death consequences was overshadowed by the temptation to find wealth. And yes, by the arrogance of those who believed such things happened to other people. So, while the 1849 Death Valley Christmas Tragedy served as a reminder of the bad choices of others who entered Death Valley, those who died following that tragedy show us how the lessons learned were sadly ignored by later groups.

Tom Correa

Let's Talk About "The Last Leaf" and "It's a Wonderful Life"

 

As I've said over the years, I usually read "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry each Christmas. Why that story? Well, I love short stories. And while I love short stories for different reasons, "The Last Leaf" is all about acting out of selflessness to help someone else. 

The story is about loyalty to your family when a loved one is in need. It's about maintaining hope and making sacrifices for others. But mainly, it's about a selfless act. It's about an unlikely masterpiece, a symbol of hope, love, and the power to overcome despair. The story's hero is someone who does something extraordinary for someone else without thinking about or wanting fame, recognition, or money.

During a pneumonia epidemic in New York City, when his sick neighbor believes she will die when the last leaf falls from an ivy vine outside her window, Mr. Behrman is initially dismissive of such nonsense, but at the same time, he secretly resolves to help. Mr. Behrman, a pessimistic, gruff, grumpy old artist, paints a realistic leaf on the wall during a storm. That unlikely source of innate goodness, contracted pneumonia, and sacrificed his own life to give his sick neighbor the will to live.

O. Henry's "The Last Leaf" is about the power of hope, selfless sacrifice, and friendship. It's about how a simple act of kindness can reignite someone's will to live. It's about how a small act of compassion can result in a masterpiece that helps someone else overcome despair. 

His sick neighbor believed she'd die when the last ivy leaf falls. The permanence of Mr. Behrman's painted ivy leaf gave her the power of hope and the will to recover. The story emphasizes that lives are intertwined, that we really are connected, and that we can make a difference, even in the strangest ways. The story focuses on how one person's actions can save another. It teaches us that even in our darkest moments, hope, friendship, and selflessness can create miracles. It speaks to the idea that a single act of selflessness can change everything for others. Yes, even a single act that might not be seen as significant to us at the time.  

Imagine for a moment. A gruff but ultimately heroic old man who sacrificed his life by painting an ivy leaf on the wall during a stormy night just to satisfy the belief of a neighbor, and maybe give her the hope she needs to survive pneumonia. It was his final act. He created his long-awaited masterpiece. What was it that he created? A realistic ivy leaf to inspire a dying friend to live. Something so real, something with so much weight and importance, that it was the medicine she needed. Painted out of compassion to help a friend fight despair.

For a person like me who has fought the urge to give up on hope and embrace the notion of "Bah humbug" from time to time over the years, I find myself clinging to the idea that there is more innate goodness in people than I sometimes give them credit for. The saying, "Bah humbug," captures the feelings of some folks this time of year. Defined, it combines "Bah," an exclamation of disdain, and "humbug," which is an old term for "fraud" or "nonsense." 

While I truly believe there is a great deal of humbug going on today, I work very hard to remain true to what I was taught in that when it comes to living with moral behavior, goodness, and kindness for others, we are all born with a fundamental, inherent inclination, a natural built-in tendency, a predisposition, to behave, feel, and think in certain ways without needing to learn it. That's part of God's gift to us. While evil is a learned behavior, I believe we all start out as good. And yes, I believe there are more acts of such weight and kindness happening every day, more than we know, all good medicine for what ails us.

Frankly, though I shake my head in disbelief when catching up on the news these days, I still believe we have the capacity to respect others and to be selfless when it comes to caring about people in general. We all have a natural moral compass, the ability to judge what is right and wrong, act accordingly, and do good. I would love to believe that our true nature is good, even if we have seen so much evidence to the contrary.

Maybe that's why I love watching the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life," each year at Christmas. I still believe that every life has value, even ordinary ones, and that small acts of kindness create a huge, very positive ripple effect in the lives of others we've met. The film reminds us that our purpose in life comes from connecting with others, from hard work, from doing for family, from sacrificing for those we love, from appreciating the unseen good we bring to the table, and from our faith in God. 

I've seen despair and felt the urge to believe I had failed myself and others. Those feelings are real. There's nothing fun about feeling overwhelmed. There is nothing that hurts so much as experiencing loss, betrayal, and feeling like you're at the end of your rope. These feelings come from the negatives that life throws at us, those life events and past experiences that we wish we hadn't lived but did. The good part is that such feelings are temporary and not absolute truths. Of course, it's hard to keep that in mind when you're going through tough times. 

In the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," George Bailey, a man feeling down on his luck, is desperate over the loss of funds he is ultimately responsible for. It was George's Uncle Billy who misplaced $8,000 from the Bailey Building & Loan, wrapping it in Mr. Potter's newspaper. Mr. Potter owns the local bank and is as amoral and dishonest a person as one can imagine. Potter found the money and kept it, then framed George by accusing him of fraud and embezzlement. Then, when George sought a loan from Potter to cover the money Uncle Billy lost, Potter threatened to have him arrested and put in prison. 

George vehemently defends his integrity, but the evidence, or lack of it, and Potter's power leave him facing jail time and financial ruin, leading to his breakdown. So yes, George Bailey's world came crashing down around him as he faced legal problems and the possibility of arrest. He sees himself losing his family, his good name being dragged through the mud, scandal, and ruin. He is an innocent man who knows that he will be seen as guilty by those who want to believe the worst in people. He also knows the reality of life: people accused of crimes are more likely to be treated as guilty until proven innocent. 

It's a flaw in people. And yes, I've experienced it firsthand, where I was falsely accused, in an effort to make people automatically assume I was guilty. It didn't work because people knew better than to believe such unfounded slander. What helped me was that people recognized that the source of the accusations had zero credibility. As for the system automatically seeing someone as guilty, it has nothing to do with right or wrong; that's just how the system works. 

It's a flawed system in that innocent people must prove their own innocence. Like it or not, it's a presumption of guilt. And believe me when I say that the presumption of guilt is a heavy burden to shake. No matter how innocent you are, while most understand the likes of the Potters in the world, there are still going to be people who will believe the lies, the misinformation, the false accusations. 

Sadly, I've been there. I've had to present evidence to prove I didn't do what unscrupulous individuals accused me of. And really, contrary to what we're told, the lie is that our legal system assumes innocence and requires proof of guilt, as seen in the phrase "innocent until proven guilty." That's not how the real world works. 

In my case, instead of feeling at the end of my rope, I defended myself and fought back against the personal attacks and the false allegations. I took on the Potters who attacked me, and I won. But really, it wasn't easy, and it was expensive.   

The greatness of this classic movie is its honesty in how it was written. In "It's a Wonderful Life," whether he was right or wrong in his thinking in his moment of despair, George Bailey felt that people would believe the worst, even though it wasn't true. In his gut, he knew the scandal of improprieties would ruin his Savings & Loan business, ruin his name and his family, and possibly send him to jail. 

And yes, his worries about jail and ruin overshadowed any attempt he had to figure out what had happened to the money Uncle Billy had lost. Yes, as sad as it is, he felt overwhelmed to the point that his life looked worthless -- so worthless that he saw suicide as his only answer.

Overwhelmed by the possibility of financial ruin and despair, feeling he had nowhere else to turn, George prayed for guidance. Beside himself, George Bailey prayed for help. His heartfelt plea, "Dear Father in Heaven, I'm not a praying man, but if you're up there, and you can hear me, show me the way. I'm at the end of my rope. Show me the way, God." 

How did God answer George's prayer? God pointed George in the right direction by teaching him a lesson. George needed to find his inner strength to fight on, not to bow to the all-consuming despair he felt at that moment, and certainly not to let the Potters of the world win. George needed to see his goodness and self-worth. God needed George to see what he knew George was made of. 

To do that, George's prayer prompts his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody, to show him what the world would have been like had he never been born. If he never existed, he would see for himself the immense good he brought to others. George needed to know the value of an ordinary life and how seemingly small actions have profound impacts. His guardian angel, Clarence, showed him the impact of his life.

Because George Bailey reached a breaking point on Christmas Eve and wished he'd never been born, Clarence grants George's wish, allowing him to see a version of his life and surroundings in which he never existed. It is a dark lesson, but he sees that his everyday acts of integrity, his keeping to his moral compass and doing the right things, his generosity, and love for others, gave him a life that was, though often frustrating for George because he wanted different things in life, a wonderful life.   

In the film, he has to be taught how good a life he has had and how good a person he is. He has to learn that his life is a gift, not to be thrown away. He needed to learn that good prevails over evil, and that he had to do what it took to fight what had happened. 

George Bailey's primary "fight" is an emotional and moral one in which he must overcome despair and a sense of failure before his community rallies to help him address the financial accusations. In his case, the townspeople who know and trust him raise more than enough money to cover the missing funds and clear his name. Yes, showing him that his positive impact on their lives was his ultimate defense.

That's the core message of the Christmas film, "It's a Wonderful Life." George Bailey, feeling like a failure, is shown by his guardian angel, Clarence, what the world would be like without him, revealing the profound positive impact of his seemingly ordinary life, self-sacrifice, and countless small acts of kindness. His prayer, spoken in despair on Christmas Eve, led to the miraculous revelation that his life truly matters. 

In the film, George Bailey learned that God sent him an angel to help show him that, ultimately, his life was indeed wonderful and valuable. While the film emphasizes that a life isn't measured by grand achievements but by the positive ripples from small, consistent actions and relationships, it also highlights how deeply intertwined our lives really are, and that there is a great deal of strength to be found in kindness, being a good person, and appreciating the blessings and positive impact we have, even when we feel down. 

To me, it's a movie of hope and inspiration, especially when hope seems lost, and the bright side of things is hard to see. Ultimately, George learns that, despite his frustrations and dashed dreams, and despite the troubles that seemed insurmountable at the time, his life was a treasure, rich with meaning and love, and truly wonderful. Realizing his life's worth when an angel shows him how the world would have been worse off without him. This experience renews his determination, and he returns home to face the situation with the support of his family and friends. To his credit, the community rallied around him and contributed what was needed to cover the money Potter had stolen. 

The film's central message is that everyone matters, and one's impact isn't measured by fame or fortune but by love and good deeds. Yes, one person's life touches many others in profound, often unnoticeable ways. For George, he sacrificed his dreams for his family and his town, and later learned that his true purpose lay in those selfless acts. It's a story of finding light in one's darkest hour. It reveals the miracle hidden in an ordinary man, and encourages people to see the good in their own lives and the positive impact they have on others. 

Why watch such a film at Christmas? Well, Christmas offers moral lessons in generosity, love, hope, humility, and forgiveness, all about connection and giving. Let's remember above all else that Christmas is about God's gift of Jesus. It's about emphasizing values like family, kindness, and second chances. Let's remember that God's gift to us was to give mankind a second chance.

In "The Last Leaf" and "It's a Wonderful Life," we see the power of faith and the importance of empathy and selflessness. We see George, who lives a life of selflessness and empathy. We see his wife who sees her troubled husband and supports him in his time of need. We see his community's selflessness when they rallied around George and contributed what was needed to cover the money Potter had stolen. 

The film is about God's love, reminding us to find joy in simple things. The Wise Men's gifts point to God's ultimate gift, Jesus, and inspire us to give time, resources, and kindness to others. The Nativity story's humble setting teaches the value of humility and the sacredness of life, even in simple circumstances. Jesus' birth signifies God's deep love for humanity, encouraging us to love one another. The season reminds us that God provides and nothing is impossible, offering us hope and a path to new life through faith. 

Christmas stories and traditions teach vital life lessons about love, generosity, selflessness, hope, and the importance of community, while emphasizing that true joy comes from giving and connection, not just gifts. Themes like second chances and finding the magic of Christmas in simple faith and kindness, even amidst hardship, remind us that small beginnings can lead to big things. It reminds us to find the good in our current situation. It reminds us to appreciate our family and the traditions that strengthen our bonds and create lasting memories.

Christmas is a time to be reminded to be thankful for our blessings, both big and small. It's a time when we can look beyond ourselves to help those in need. And really, what's wrong with spreading joy, being a source of positivity? 

God's immense love for humanity, demonstrated by giving His Son, calls us to love others. Jesus' arrival brought hope, peace, and a divine plan, showing us that even humble beginnings, a manger, can fulfill great purposes. And yes, let's remember forgiveness. The core message is God's forgiveness and reconciliation, a principle we should extend to others. The magic of Christmas encourages believing in good and finding joy, a mindset that we should carry with us year-round.

Christmas traditions are vital for creating family bonds, providing comfort, and passing down values, fostering a sense of belonging, continuity, and shared identity through predictable, joyful rituals like decorating trees, singing carols, and all enjoying that special meal together. Such traditions offer stability amid the busyness and chaos of today's world, helping to anchor us in our history, connect generations, and create lasting memories, reinforcing faith, love, and community.

Practicing Christmas traditions is important because it helps keep families together by creating shared experiences and fostering a strong sense of "home," making members feel accepted and secure. Christmas offers us a safe haven and a familiar rhythm in a chaotic world while building cherished memories. Believe it or not, studies show that our Christmas traditions and how predictable they are actually reduce anxiety. 

As for our Christmas tradition of gift-giving? It not only highlights the joy and purpose found in selfless giving, but also focuses on caring, the intentional mindful close personal connection that we have to those we have with loved ones. Rather than being about material value, giving a gift to those we love fosters genuine joy for both giver and receiver. And frankly, that's not a bad feeling to share with those we care about. 

So yes, let's form a legacy that links children to their past. Give gifts to those you love. Feel good about the season. And really, let's all do things together that truly reinforce our core family values of faith and love while we renew our sense of belonging. And at the same time, let's celebrate our uniquely American cultural identity. 

The bottom line is that our traditions, especially our Christmas traditions, ground us in shared beliefs while helping us focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas traditions serve as meaningful anchors. As with all of our traditions, they bring joy, inspire unity, and renew our sense of purpose by connecting us to our past, present, and future as we reconnect with loved ones.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tragedy on the Emigrant Trails: Christmas 1849 at Death Valley, California

Panamint Valley
NPS Photo/Death Valley

Most emigrants reached the end of their long overland journey weeks or months before December 25 rolled around. A few, though, stranded or lost along the way, spent their first Christmas in the West in winter camps many miles from the settlements. Here’s how they observed the holiday.

Rev. James W. Brier, a Methodist preacher from Ohio, wanted to reach the California gold fields in the worst way, so that’s exactly what he did. He chose the very worst way imaginable: a “shortcut” across the untracked badlands of southern Nevada.

The Rev. Brier, his wife, Juliet, and their three little sons, ages 9, 6, and 4, reached Salt Lake City via the California Trail in October 1849. Fearing they were too late in the season to cross the Sierra Nevada safely on the Truckee Route—the Donner disaster had made national news just three years earlier—the family and other ‘49ers joined a hundred-wagon train heading south to intercept the Old Spanish Trail in the vicinity of present-day Parowan, Utah. The Old Spanish Trail, a well-worn trade route used by mule-packers traveling between Santa Fe and Los Angeles, passed south of the Sierra Nevada, avoiding the danger of mountain blizzards.

But along the way, a stranger showed the emigrants a curious, hand-sketched “trapper’s map” leading directly to the gold diggings and purporting to shave about 500 miles off the overland trip. The captain of the Briers’ wagon train, a Mormon frontiersman named Jefferson Hunt, tried to dissuade them from trying the mysterious route. ‘49er William Manly reported years later that Hunt “very much doubted if a white man ever went over it, and that he did not consider it at all safe for those who had wives and children in their company to take the unknown road.”

“Gentlemen!” Captain Hunt—a man of few words—supposedly exclaimed, “All I have to say is that if you take that route, you will all be landed in Hell!”

The San Francisco Call article, “Our Christmas Amid the Terrors of Death Valley.” Dec. 25, 1889.

The Rev. Brier did not fear hell. He helped persuade other families to join his, along with several parties of single young men, in trying the shortcut. On Oct. 9, 1849, near today’s town of Enterprise, Utah, some 80 wagons peeled off the Old Spanish Trail and headed due west into the untracked barrens. Within a few days, most of those wagons turned around and rejoined Hunt’s wagon train on the Old Spanish Trail, reaching Los Angeles about seven weeks later. The Briers, three other families, and a number of the single men blundered on, little imagining they would become known to history as the Lost ‘49ers.

Starvation, desperate thirst, and exhaustion plagued the emigrants as they struggled and straggled through the barren wastelands of southern Nevada. They splintered into at least six groups to try different directions, parting and sometimes re-merging and parting again along the way. Some slaughtered some of their oxen, burned their wagons in the cook-fires, abandoned their belongings, and continued on foot. The youngest Brier child, barely out of toddlerhood, had to be carried. The middle son, John, remembered, “After many days of bitter travel we reached the Armargosa [an intermittent stream] and camped in the dry channel, counting ourselves fortunate to find a muddy pool of water. The end of the next day (Dec. 23) found us, with our canteens empty, at the summit of a pass where there was no water, no grass, no fuel….”

The following morning, Christmas Eve, the Rev. Brier spotted a green oasis in the distance. All day the little party hurried toward it, desperate for water. They finally reached the springs—one hot, one cold—around 3 o’clock on Christmas morning. Today that spot in Death Valley National Park, located at the mouth of Furnace Creek Canyon, is known as Travertine Spring.

In an article published by the San Francisco Call newspaper on Christmas Day 1898, when Juliet Brier was in her eighties, the preacher’s wife remarked, “This was a Christmas none could forget.”

My little ones had no thoughts of Santa Claus that year. The men killed an oxen for our Christmas, but its flesh was more like poisonous slime than meat. There was not a particle of fat on the bones, but we boiled the hide and hoofs for what nutriment they might contain. We also cooked and ate the little blood there was in the carcass. I had one small biscuit, but we had plenty of coffee, and I think it was that which kept us alive.

Music and singing? My, no! We were too far gone for that. Nobody spoke very much, but I knew we were all thinking of home back east and all the cheer and good things there.

To add a bit of cheer to the occasion, the Rev. Brier delivered to his boys a Christmas lecture on the importance of education. John remembered it as amusing. One of the single ‘49ers, William Manly, reached their camp in time to hear the speech, too.

“It seemed very strange to me to hear a solemn discourse on the benefits of early education when, it seemed to me, starvation was staring us all in the face,” Manly wrote in his popular published account, Death Valley in ’49. “None of us knew exactly where we were, nor when the journey would be ended, nor when substantial relief would come.”

In a separate camp, Louis Nusbaumer’s party of ‘49ers and families despaired over the condition of a failing ox: without it, they would have to abandon their wagon and carry their remaining supplies. In his journal, Nusbaumer wrote:

December 24…. Our prospects again look dismal. One of our oxen is about to die but we will not despair on the eve of the day when our Savior was born. We came about fifteen miles today through abominable alkali swamps and were compelled to camp without water and grass. In fact, we had to go back quite a distance to get water for our supper.

December 25. Christmas day in the mountains of California [actually Nevada] …. This is a day of sorrow for us as the ox, before mentioned, is not able to go further and it is necessary for us to throw out a great deal of our goods in order to lighten the load…There is quite a difference between Christmas days in different states. In some of them you receive presents, in others you must throw things away. I hope my dear wife is having a happier Christmas day than I am. May God keep her in good health. Should I never return to her and should chance deliver this journal into her hands, she will glean from these pages that she was never far from my thoughts and that my heart beat for her to the last.

Ahead lay the salt flats of a great sink, where the Lost ‘49ers would wander from seep to seep for about two months. Survivors would name that desert Death Valley.

At least 13 emigrants lost their lives on this detour. William Manly and a companion eventually emerged from Death Valley and made their way to a Spanish rancho. Being given provisions, they headed back to help others waiting in the desert and led them to safety. 

On Feb. 12, 1850, the Briers and some of the single ‘49ers walked up to the same rancho and were taken in by its kind and generous owners. Louis Nusbaumer and companions reached civilization on March 1. Nusbaumer’s wife later joined him in California. Altogether, their shortcut had taken them about four months to complete.

Lost ‘49ers leaving Death Valley.

The story above comes from the National Park Service, Christmas on the Emigrant Trails: Christmas 1849 at Death Valley, California, California National Historic Trail, Death Valley National Park

George Maledon - Prince of Hangmen

George Maledon 

By Terry McGahey

George Maledon served as Judge Isaac Parker's Chief Executioner in Fort Smith, Arkansas, during the so-called Wild West period, and later became known as the Prince of Hangmen.

Born in Germany on June 10, 1830, his family immigrated to the United States of America while he was still a small child. As an adult, George ended up in Fort Smith working as a police officer. When the Civil War began, he enlisted in the Arkansas Light Artillery, first battalion, serving through the conflict. At war's end, George went back to Fort Smith and resumed working as a police officer, but this time he became a deputy sheriff. Then, several months later, he became the turnkey (Jailer) for the federal jail in 1871. Several months later, he became the Special Deputy in charge of executing condemned prisoners.

With over sixty hangings and the shooting of five prisoners trying to escape, killing two, he had become Judge Parker's favorite executioner over the next twenty-two years. During the years between 1873 and eighteen, the hangings became public, drawing large crowds of onlookers. During this time period twenty-two men were hung on top of the twenty-foot-wide scaffold, which could process up to twelve hangings at one time. The most hung at one time upon the scaffold was six men on September 3rd, 1875.

This was truly a publicized event, and one week before the executions took place, people from near and far, as well as many news reporters from many papers of that time, converged on Fort Smith, bringing over five thousand people to watch the gruesome event, as these men met their final destiny. Of the six men, three were white, two were native American, and one was black, all being hung at the same exact time once the death warrants were read to each one and then given their chance to say any last words.

In 1878, a sixteen-foot-high fence was built around the gallows, that disallowed any further witness by the public to the executions. From that point on, there were usually less than fifty people within the fenced area.

After twenty-two years, George Maledon retired in 1894 and opened a grocery business in Fort Smith. The following year, his eighteen-year-old daughter Annie was murdered by a man named Frank Carver. The two met in Fort Smith while Carver was being tried on whiskey charges. Annie fell in love and followed Carver to Muskogee, Oklahoma where she found out that Carver was already married to an Indian woman, they got into a huge argument and Carver being drunk, shot Annie. She was taken back to Fort Smith, where she passed away on May 17, 1885.

Frank Carver was found guilty of murder, and Judge Parker sentenced him to hang. Carver found a slick lawyer who appealed to the Supreme Court, and Carver's sentence was reduced to life in Prison.

After this huge disappointment, George Maledon left Fort Smith and took his memorabilia with him, and started his own road show. He would display some of the ropes he used, a piece of the gallows beam, and many pictures of the notorious outlaws whom he had sent to their final reward. People flocked to see the famous hangman wherever he went.

George Maledon was not a very large man, standing about five feet six inches tall with a slight build, dark eyes, dark hair, fair complexion, and a long beard. He very rarely smiled and was a quiet man who mostly wore black clothing, which seems appropriate for his profession. In 1905, George's health took a bad turn, and he entered an old soldiers' home in Humboldt, Tennessee. According to government records, he passed away on May 6, 1911, and was buried at the Johnson City Cemetery.

George Maledon has the dubious honor of sending more men to their final eternity than any other executioner.

Once, George was asked if he had a bad conscience or was afraid of possible spirits he had hung. He replied, "No, I have never hanged a man who came back to have the job done over". The last execution in Fort Smith took place on July 30, 1896. Eleven and a half months later, the gallows were destroyed, and their remains were burned. In 1981, the gallows were rebuilt as part of the Fort Smith National Historic Site.

Terry McGahey is a writer and Old West historian.

This once-working cowboy is best known for his epic battle against the City of Tombstone and its historic City Ordinance Number 9, America's most famous gun-control law.

Terry was instrumental in finally repealing Tombstone City Ordinance Number 9. He is directly responsible for compelling the City of Tombstone to adhere to Arizona's laws.

If you'd like to read about his epic battle against the City of Tombstone, click here: The Last Gun Fight -- The Death of Ordinance Number 9 (Chapter One)

Let's Talk About The Seditious Six

Here's a fact: There are no such things as "illegal orders" in the military. Here's another fact: Orders are either "lawful" or "unlawful" in the military. 

What's the difference between a "lawful" and an "unlawful" order? First, "lawful" orders are orders that comply with all applicable laws, regulations, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), and the U.S. Constitution. Service members are expected and obligated to obey such orders without question. Second, "unlawful" orders are those that require a person to commit an act that violates the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and the U.S. Constitution. Service members have a duty to question and ultimately disobey such orders. 

The precise use of the terms within a legal military context, the appropriate terminology, in fact, differentiates between "lawful" and "unlawful" orders. Nowhere in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) or the Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM) is the use of the term "illegal orders." 

The term "unlawful order" is used in Articles 90, 91, and 92 of the UCMJ, which establish the duty to obey lawful orders and the right/duty to disobey unlawful orders. As for UCMJ Article 92 (Failure to obey order or regulation): This article can be used to charge an individual for failing to follow regulations. Examples of Article 92 violations include failing to obey lawful orders, violating general orders, such as the one prohibiting drinking while deployed, and dereliction of duty, such as failing to follow safety protocols or to secure classified information. 

A service member might be charged with failure to obey a lawful order to perform a duty, even for minor infractions such as being late for formation, though less severe violations are often handled through non-judicial punishment rather than a court-martial. Failure to obey a lawful order or regulation can include failing to obey a specific order, being late for a required formation or detail, not following a lawful order from a superior officer, failing to follow specific safety procedures during a mission or training exercise, dereliction of duty and neglecting responsibilities which means failing to carry out duties assigned to you, and dereliction that results in injury or death to other service members or civilians. 

Another example is ignoring one's duty and failing to act. In that example, security personnel who fail to intervene in a crime in progress when they have a duty to do so. In that case, depending on the circumstances, a service member may be charged with failure to obey a lawful order and dereliction of duty. 

The Manual for Courts-Martial clarifies that an order is unlawful if it "is contrary to the Constitution, the laws of the United States, or lawful superior orders or for some other reason is beyond the authority of the official issuing it".

The phrasing in legal and military documents emphasizes that the law is the ultimate standard for the validity of an order, making "lawful/unlawful" the technically accurate legal descriptors. Supsequently, the term "illegal orders" is bogus. There are lawful orders and unlawful orders, but there is no such thing as an "illegal order." 

I'm bringing this up since 6 Democrats in Congress, now known as the "Seditious Six," decided to make a video telling American troops to disobey "illegal orders" from President Trump. Democrat Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Sen. Mark Kelly, Rep. Jason Crow, Rep. Maggie Goodlander, Rep. Chris Deluzio, and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, made a video to say, the "threats to our Constitution" are coming "from right here at home," and repeatedly urge the military and intelligence community to "refuse illegal orders" -- saying, "No one has to carry out orders that violate the law, or our Constitution." 

But here's the rub: First, these six Democrats are supposed to be former military and former members of our intel community. So yes, we should all think they would know the precise term when talking about lawful versus unlawful orders. And second, more importantly, these people knew they were lying and sowing discord in our military when they made the video. We know that because, even before making the video, the "Seditious Six" knew President Trump had not issued any "illegal orders." 

It's true. A couple of them have gone on television and have been made to admit that President Trump has never issued an unlawful order as President and Commander-in-Chief. This means their attack video on President Trump has not only been a flop but has also raised questions about their personal credibility, ethics, and more. 

The obvious question is this: Where were these 6 partisan Democrat jerkweeds when Democrat President Joe Biden was issuing unlawful orders to the military and the federal government? 

First, let's talk about President Biden's "unlawful orders," the authoritarianism that he demonstrated when he issued an executive order to create illegal federal mandates on the COVID-19 pandemic and the environment. His authoritarianist mandates stretched into our homes when he tried to micromanage the lives of  Americans by telling us what electrical appliances we were forced to use. All in the name of the hoax we all know as "Climate Change." 

As for Biden's authoritarianism during COVID-19, let's not forget how he implemented a federal COVID-19 vaccine-or-test mandate for large private employers through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which was later struck down by the Supreme Court. 

He did not have the legal authority to do so, but in 2021, Biden mandated that America's military have COVID-19 vaccinations. This was an authoritarian overreach of government power that Democrats went along with because it fell into the Democrat Mindset of micromanaging Americans. 

It was an "unlawful order," but in August 2021, all U.S. armed forces members were required to get vaccinated. President Biden's unlawful mandate was un-Constitutional because it forced our troops to take a vaccine that initially had only emergency use authorization (EUA) rather than full FDA approval, and his mandate led to thousands of service members being discharged or facing disciplinary action for refusal. 

And where were Democrats in Congress, including the "Seditious Six," when President Biden issued "unlawful orders" to the military, police, and Border Patrol to effectively stand down and open the border? Democrats in Congress should have stopped him right then and there, since President Biden, in fact, violated his oath of office to protect and defend the United States and the Constitution. In fact, Biden violated National Security. 

Democrats, especially the "Seditious Six," who are presently trying to undermine President Trump's authority as Commander-in-Chief, were silent when Joe Biden allowed the flood of illegal aliens into the United States -- effectively undermining the police, U.S. Border Patrol, and our national security, all while "unlawfully" encouraging illegal entry to bypass our immigration system. Yes, including flying in illegal aliens into the United States -- a program that was secretly funded by the Biden administration. Why didn't anyone tell those in the Biden administration to disobey the President's orders when that was going on?  

Biden's supporters argue his policies were justified even if they broke the law. Yes, while that's a completely screwed-up perspective on the legal and practical implications of policies meant to destroy the fabric of American society by flooding American streets with criminals. And yes, Democrats supported the Biden administration's illegal acts. 

It's true. As screwed-up as it sounds, the Biden administration tried to make the unjustifiable justifiable when it argued that its policies were designed to "enhance national security by focusing enforcement resources on those who pose a threat instead of on all unauthorized immigrants." This is the sort of double-talk that Democrats allowed to take place while they purposely allowed criminals, including known drug cartel members and child sex traffickers, into our country.

The Biden administration's failure to secure our border was criminal. And yes, it's "illegal orders" if you want to call them that, all "unlawful orders," issues to the Border Patrol so that they would release known violators of our immigration laws, in fact led to the release of large numbers of violent criminal illegal aliens into the U.S. to murder and rape American citizens. 

Let's not sugarcoat it: Joe Biden was given a green light when he entered office to halt the construction of the border wall and create programs for favored nationalities to enter without having to go through the proper process -- all of those Democrat policies weakened border security and put Americans' lives at risk. Democrats, like those of the Seditious Six, were quiet. 

So, what sort of "illegal orders" are Democrats worried about President Trump issuing? 

As fascinating as it might seem to some out there, Democrats are worried that President Trump will order more military personnel to the border and deploy the National Guard to crime-ridden and riotous cities. Unlike in 2020, President Trump will not allow Democrat Governors and Democrat Mayors to refuse the help of the Federal Government to quell the out-of-control riots, widespread violence, and looting and arson that burned down huge parts of several American cities. Democrats in Democrat-run cities allowed the chaos and arson to take place.  

And let's remember, Democrats are fighting for criminal illegal aliens. Democrats are using Democrat-appointed Judges to stop President Trump from deporting criminal illegal aliens. Many of the criminals that the Democrats are defending are some bad hombres. Democrats are today defending child molesters, child sex traffickers, human traffickers, slave runners, murderers, rapists, domestic abusers, drug dealers, gang members, and not just aliens who are "criminals" by virtue of being here illegally. 

What's puzzling is why Democrat Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Sen. Mark Kelly, Rep. Jason Crow, Rep. Maggie Goodlander, Rep. Chris Deluzio, and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, would make a video to say, the "threats to our Constitution" are coming "from right here at home," and repeatedly urge the military and intelligence community to "refuse illegal orders" -- saying, "No one has to carry out orders that violate the law, or our Constitution." As I said before, they said that in the video while also knowing full well that they can't specify any "illegal orders" they speak of -- because President Trump has not issued any unlawful orders.

So why do it? Why make such a video? They demonstrated a lack of care regarding unlawful orders under President Biden, so what's the Seditious Six truly concerned about in regards to President Trump's lawful orders? 

Since we know that, like other Democrats during the Biden years, they weren't concerned about a Democrat President issuing "unlawful orders," what are the Seditious Six worried that President Trump might order the military to do? Is it something that may go against their self-interest? 

Well, as crazy as it sounds, their concern goes to the heart of the Democrat mindset: Democrats don't want our military to shoot at drug-running Drug Cartel boats in International Waters. Their concern is about the criminals who want to put drugs on our streets and kill Americans. They are worried about President Trump's military strikes targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

Democrats are watching President Trump shoot drug traffickers after he declared war on the Drug Cartels. President Trump is taking this fight to save America and hopefully stem the flow of murderous drugs into America to wherever the drug traffickers appear -- on the high seas, on land, or in the air.

Democrats have defended the Drug Cartels and their drug-running operations by getting Democrat-appointed Judges to stop President Trump's operations against those criminals. But that's failed so far. Democrats have also tried to get Democrat-appointed Judges to say that Drug Cartels in other countries should have the same rights and privileges as American citizens, such as "due process," "Miranda rights," and "legal representation," while shipping illegal drugs into our country from overseas. 

So no, Democrats have not been successful at stopping President Trump from killing the people who are bringing in what I call "murderous drugs" into the United States. And yes, that's what this is all about. And by the way, that's why some of my readers believe Democrats are getting paid by the Drug Cartels. 

Let's be frank here. Anything that President Trump is for, Democrats are against. Are Democrats against President Trump for targeting the Drug Cartels because Democrats are accepting bribes and payoffs from the Drug Cartels, even in the form of campaign contributions, in exchange for political favors and protection? While I might think they are in the pockets of the Drug Cartels, who really knows if they are? Of course, the question becomes, if not, then why are Democrats trying so hard to stop President Trump from attacking the Drug Cartels' drug boats? 

So why make the video if they're only trying to stop President Trump from shooting at Drug Cartel boats?

I believe they made the video to undermine President Trump's credibility with the troops and introduce doubt and confusion into the Chain of Command. I also believe the Seditious Six deliberately sought to create problems among the troops by sowing doubt in their minds. They want to make our troops question their mission when it comes to attacking the Drug Cartel drug boats. 

To me, when the Six crossed the line and became "traitors" by attempting to create discord in the ranks, they hurt unit cohesion and tried to bring morale down. What they did may also create significant legal problems within our military. Yes, especially for troops who don't realize that our military already has established procedures for handling concerns over "unlawful orders." Frankly, besides screwing with the morale of our troops by injecting doubt into their minds, the Seditious Six could be putting our troops in danger. 

The Seditious Six can frame their video as fulfilling their "Constitutional obligation and a non-controversial reminder." They can also say they are upholding their oath to the Constitution, and they "are not afraid to use their authority to hold the government accountable." That's all just cover for them screwing with our troops and them trying to make it sound like they are doing their job when we all know they aren't. 

But let's not make a mistake about what this is all about. The traitors who made the video did so to attack President Trump and our military. They did it because Democrats don't like the fact that President Trump is successful and popular with the American public and our troops. Democrats hate Trump, and they will do anything, including arrange a Coup if they can, to see him fail. And as we've seen for ourselves, Democrats are inciting their sick followers to assassinate President Trump. Their hope is that one will try again. Yes, they want that to happen. That's how much they see President Trump as a threat to their power. And frankly, no one can convince me that they are doing anything to stop their followers from attempting it again. 

Let's remember, Democrats only care about their own self-interest, power, and control over others. The video was a Trump hit piece aimed at getting our troops, including our Generals, many of who are also drinking the Democrat Kool-Aid and suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome, to question President Trump's leadership and credibility. Democrats did this video knowing full well that their attack would also demotivate our troops and assault their sense of purpose to protect America. Attacking our troops is what traitors do. And yes, they've done this -- just to attack President Trump. 

Lastly, I was asked about Arizona Democrat Sen. Mark Kelly, who is a retired U.S. Navy Captain. After the backlash over his being in the video, he posted a picture online of his rank and medals displayed on his dress white Navy uniform. His critics see his post as saying, "I'm a hero. I can do and say what I please. I can demoralize the troops and attack President Trump's leadership and credibility all I want because I have medals." 

Well, one critic of his online post reminded Mark Kelly that Revolutionary War General Benedict Arnold was also held in high esteem for his courage -- before he also revealed himself as a traitor.

  

Tom Correa

Happy Thanksgiving 2025

Norman Rockwell’s “Home for Thanksgiving” 

From the cover of The Saturday Evening Post on November 24, 1945.

I hope and pray that all of you who read this have a blessed Thanksgiving this year. I hope those of you who have been far from home and your loved ones, either working on the road or maybe stationed far from home, are able to be with those you love. 

On November 16th, 2022, my Mom, who was in her late 80s, went to a hospital suffering from Congestive Heart Failure. After she left, she went to a nursing facility for rehab for 30 days. After that, she came home and was on hospice. She became bedridden in April of this year. On October 21, she passed away. She was just a couple of weeks short of being 91.  

I promised her that I wouldn't let her die in a convalescent hospital. Over the last three years, I've tried to live up to my promise. With the help of my brother and sisters, I'm glad she was able to last for three years. Now that she's passed, I wish I had more time with her. And no, I cannot find the words to tell you how much it would mean to me to spend one more day with her. 

So yes, that's the point of this post. That's what I'm preaching today. Be with those you love. Have your family and friends around you. Make time for those you care about. Talk with them. Laugh with them. Find something in common. Chat about the price of gas and eggs, the weather, your favorite foods, their favorite foods, find out how Aunt Martha's doing, find out if someone has heard from Uncle George, ask about the new horse in the round pen, ask how the old truck is running, find out if anyone heard about the stranger who paid for someone's meal without them knowing. 

Talk to each other. Visit. Make memories. Laugh along with those you love. Love being with those you love being around. Find out about those you care about. Ask about your family ancestry instead of wishing you had later. Talk about things that you've been curious about. It's okay to ask if someone knows who's on first, what's on second, or if they don't know the guy on third. 

Hopefully, you'll make some good memories. It's all about memory making. It's all about what you're going to wish you had asked and what you're going to miss later. It's all about being thankful you have the time right now to get to know the person you will wish were still around later.  

I loved talking with my Grandfather, my Dad, my Mom, and so many others who are no longer here. I loved hearing about "the Old Days," the horse named "Anytime" that bucked anytime it felt like it, that mule that supposedly killed a plantation worker, Big Jim the bull that busted our loading chute, that time we spent hours in the rain in the saddle looking for a few elusive head of cattle that we were told got out of the fence, the times when memories were so vivid that you could almost see them again. 

I love remembering my Grandfather's stories, thinking about how my Dad would shake his head at hearing Grandpa's tales for the 100th time, and my Mom laughing at those same old stories, knowing that Grandpa was a great storyteller. And yes, a lot of folks wondered how my Grandpa could remember the stories and the jokes he told. 

Well, I remember the day that I found out the secret to his storytelling. It was the day he told me that liars have to have great memories if they plan to remember their lies. As for telling a story? He said, the secret to telling a good story is to tell the truth -- just make it sound like it's made up. And yes, to me, that was too simple and easy to do. 

"Always tell the truth when telling a story. Of course, always remember," he'd say, "Most people won't believe it anyway."  

Now that I'm closing in on the age that my Grandfather was when he passed away, I think about how I'm a lot like him in that I enjoy spinning a yarn now and then. And yes, I enjoy wondering who believes what might sound like a far-fetched tale versus who simply thinks I'm just "full of shit." 

For me, when telling a joke, I've found that being "full of shit" in a metaphorical sense, making things up, exaggerating, and being a little absurd can make jokes funny. Whether I'm telling folks about getting drunk with a monkey back in 1975 or some other tale, I know some folks wonder which of my tales are fabricated and which are true. And yes, I always keep in mind that most people won't believe those stories anyway. 

So yes, the way I see it, if I can leave my friends and family with the memory of a good laugh or two, even at the expense of their thinking that I'm "full of shit," then that's fine with me. After all, if I can leave folks thinking I made them smile and laugh, or maybe made them think about something they might not have, or shared an interesting tidbit of history that they found interesting, that's not a bad thing. 

This being Thanksgiving, I'm thankful that I took the time to get to know my Grandparents, my Mom and Dad, and those I now miss. I'm thankful that I got to know my father-in-law, because I really do miss him. And yes, I'm very thankful that I've gotten closer with my brother Howard and sister Val over the past couple of years. I cannot tell you how much I love who they are. 

I'm extremely thankful for the love and support of my wife during this stressful time of caring for my Mom. My wife has been right there with me, and her support has made all the difference in the world. Her love has kept me standing when I've had a hard time dealing with things. 

For a few years, especially when I was in the Marines stationed away or later working out of town, I would always call Mom at Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving is different because it's the first time that my Mom won't be just a phone call away. For the first time that I can ever remember, we won't be able to compare meals or find out what she served this year versus what I ate at the chow hall or at some restaurant. We won't talk about who brought what dish, when people arrived, who got there late, or whether there are leftovers to make that turkey sandwich on Friday. 

This year, I'm grateful to God for my family and friends, my health, and for being able to fulfill my promise to Mom. Yes, even if all I have now of my Mom is her stories, her laughter, and her love, I'm blessed and grateful to God for that. 

As for my advice, for what it's worth, go make friends with your loved ones. Don't wait until they're gone, then wish you had connected with them more. Connect with people you might not have a connection with now. Build stronger connections with those you do. It's great for your well-being. Besides, not having regrets about missing an opportunity to get to know others is not overrated. 

From what I've learned recently, getting to know our friends and loved ones better brings health benefits, like lower stress, increased happiness, and can even give us a greater sense of belonging. It can also mean less depression, anxiety, and being closer to friends and loved ones are crucial during difficult times. 

As for talking about current events? My advice is to do it. Don't hesitate to talk about how good it feels to see a gallon of gas more than a dollar lower today than it was a year ago. Celebrate food costing less, more security for ranchers on the border, and how homicides are down across the country. Celebrate how we again have a focus on merit and good works, and how we again are getting rid of the criminals that came here illegally. And yes, feel good and celebrate the fact that we again have a government that's putting the priorities of we the American people before the rest of the world. 

Those are things we should be in agreement about, not argue over. These are things that we should be thankful for this Thanksgiving. 

So, go talk to your relatives. Get to know them. They may fool you. You might find out that your thoughts about someone in your family being a jerk were not exaggerated. But then again, you might be surprised and find out that you have more in common with those you love. And yes, you'll be thankful for doing it. 

So from my family and me to you and yours, I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving. 

God bless you all. 

Tom Correa

Democrats Motivated John Wilkes Booth To Assassinate President Lincoln

Ever since the dawn of the Democratic Party's ideology of the "White Man's Republic" in the 1830s, the Democratic Party held that the United States is a country established for white people and that black Americans and women were not citizens and should be excluded from voting -- and subsequently taking part in the political community. This ideology was notably advanced by the Democratic Party in the mid-1800s as a means to unite white men and preserve racial hierarchy and the institution of slavery. Democrats used that divisiveness to start the Civil War. 

The central theme of the Democratic Party was that the United States was for white persons alone. Prominent Democrats like Stephen Douglas argued that, "This government is established on the white basis. It was established by white men, for the benefit of white men and their posterity forever, and should be administered by white men and none others".

While the vast majority of Southerners in the 1850s and 1860s did not own slaves, in fact, only a small percentage of the very wealthy white and black plantation owners actually owned slaves, that didn't stop the Democratic Party from pushing their central theme to justify withholding rights from black Americans and women. 

The Democratic Party's justification for inequality was based on the fear of "Amalgamation," The fear the Democrats preached was straight out of the book of hate with the notion that any sort of equality would inevitably lead to social equality and "amalgamation" -- which would lead to interracial relationships and marriage, something Democrats claimed would be "repugnant" and lead to perpetual social turmoil.

Democratic Party leaders falsely claimed that America's Founding Fathers never intended for black Americans and women to be citizens. The Democratic Party ideology stoked the fears of black and female participation in politics, voting, and the abolition of slavery. By promoting the "white man's republic," the Democratic Party sought to forge a broad, hate-filled coalition ready to kill for their cause.

This was the Democratic Party that motivated John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Booth was driven by his staunch Confederate sympathies, which were driven by the Democratic Party. 

It is historically accurate that the leadership and citizens of the Confederate states were overwhelmingly Democrats at the time of the Civil War. The Democratic Party was the primary political vehicle for white supremacy and the preservation of slavery. Regarding the Democratic Party and Confederate sympathies, the states that formed the Confederacy were solidly Democratic. To a great extent, the Confederacy was a creation of the Democratic Party because they feared the end of slavery following the election of Republican Abraham Lincoln.

The Democratic Party was the main pro-slavery political party, and its desire to keep slavery intact catapulted the nation into a Civil War. The Democrats' platform was to actively support the continuation and expansion of slavery.

 
Assassin John Wilkes Booth fervently believed in the Democratic Party doctrine of white supremacy and intensely hated President Lincoln, the Union, and the Republican Party's anti-slavery cause. He was a fervent supporter of the Confederacy and pro-slavery views, and his actions, including the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, can be understood in the context of the 19th-century ideal of the Democratic Party's doctrine "White Man's Republic".

The Democratic Party's doctrine of "White Man's Republic" is an ideology the party has held for more than 200 years. The key connections between John Wilkes Booth and this concept were Booth's pro-Slavery stance, as we know he was an outspoken supporter of slavery and detested abolitionists; his commitment to the cause of the Confederacy, which we know was rooted in his desire to preserve the institution of slavery and an exclusively white-controlled society; and his opposition to President Lincoln since we know that Booth viewed President Lincoln as a "tyrant," a "king," as someone who was "unconstitutionally expanding federal power and fundamentally changing the character of the nation." Yes, very similar to what the Democratic Party preaches today regarding President Trump. 

Republican President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and his support for voting rights for black Americans and women directly challenged the Democratic Party's doctrine of the "White Man's Republic" ideal. Since Booth believed in that doctrine, that's how the Democratic Party motivated John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Lincoln. 

As Democrats do today, Democrats appealed to all of the things that such a sick mind hated; they stoked that fire of hatred at every opportunity and pushed him to finally act. Does that sound like the same method of operating as Democrats today, since we know of many Democrat politicians who have vilified President Trump, repeatedly called him "Hitler," stoked the hate for the president, and have influenced their followers to assassinate President Trump? I believe history is repeating itself, and the Democratic Party is taking a page out of its old playbook to get one of its followers to kill President Trump. 

John Wilkes Booth's Confederate sympathies were part of a broader political movement aligned with the Democratic Party. Booth was a strong supporter of slavery and the doctrine of white supremacy of the Democratic Party. He hated abolitionists. He hated President Lincoln because he was told to hate him. His views were widely shared among Democrats who saw the Democratic Party lead the charge to secede from the Union to form the Confederate States of America, even though that meant keeping thousands enlaved. 

Yes, in the same way that Democrats today see the Democratic Party as leading the charge to secede from market capitalism to form the Communist States of America, even though it means enslaving thousands to a Communist state.

What's been the tipping point for those would-be assassins who have tried to kill President Trump? That's something that Americans need to find out. For me, I believe it is the hate and threats coming from Democrat politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and leftists in the news media on television who routinely demonstrate their visceral, deep-seated hate for President Trump daily.  

The Mainstream News Media, the Leftist talking heads on television, and Leftist newspapers, say that that the "tipping point" for individuals attempting to kill President Trump is "a complex mix of factors, including personal grievances, potential mental health issues, exposure to extreme political polarization and online echo chambers, and a desire for notoriety, rather than a single, consistent motive." 

If that all sounds like double-talk and spin to you? You're right. The Democrat-controlled media refuses to acknowledge that Democrat political rhetoric has directly influenced the would-be assassins who have targeted President Trump. The Left refuses to accept blame for its complicity in the acts of those assassins.  

Following the July 2024 assassination attempt, many Republican lawmakers and President Trump himself publicly blamed the "heated" and "irresponsible" rhetoric of Democrats for creating a climate that encouraged violence. Republican lawmakers and President Trump himself point to Democrats' statements that incite their followers to believe the lie that they push, saying, "President Trump is a threat to democracy." Have the Democrats turned down the hate? No. 

When will the next Leftist assassin act? While I hope never, I fear that Democrats will get another one of their followers to again try to kill the president. After all, I believe that's what Democrats want. And while you might disagree with me, that's how I see the hate coming out of the Democrat Party today.

What was the tipping point for John Wilkes Booth? Well, let's remember that the assassination of President Lincoln was precipitated by the President's speech in which he advocated for black suffrage. For John Wilkes Booth, that was the tipping point he needed. That was the event that showed him that what Democratic leaders were saying was right. That's what pushed him to kill President Lincoln. 

For Booth, the idea of a Republic that included equal rights for black citizens and women was an existential threat to his view of the way society should be. And yes, if we go by what the Democratic Party was saying, then it was undoubtedly a threat to the Democratic Party. So in essence, John Wilkes Booth's act to shoot President Lincoln was done to defend the Democratic Party's vision of the United States as a "White Man's Republic." 

The irony is that, while John Wilkes Booth was not a member of the Democratic Party, he was so influenced by the Democratic Party's hate rhetoric against Lincoln that he did exactly what the Democratic Party's leaders wanted one of their followers to do. Booth shot and assassinated President Lincoln from behind, then proclaimed "Death to all tyrants," just as a Democrat would do today.  

Tom Correa