The Twelve

The West was a place to start over or begin a new life, and it was as appealing to women as men. It took courage to leave all that was familiar and head to Oregon or California and places in between. They left knowing that it was likely they would never again see their loved ones back home. Women like Emily Parsley, who decided whether to go or stay by blowing on a dandelion. Or Callie Clay and Del Harrison, who wouldn't let a rich man's power defeat their love and the desire to go West.

Often overlooked, women were a necessary part of the winning of the West. They were a helpmeet, another fighter in times of trouble and the one softening the edges of the frontier. A woman alone has to rely on her wits, like Katie Rexrode defending her ranch and her children. At the same time, a simple act of kindness for a woman can have unfortunate results, as Sam Dollar finds out.

Women needed man's strength and men were in need of a woman's help to understand the bigger meaning of life. Like a force of nature, such is meeting between Indie McQueen and Rayne Davies. Few things can be denied when a woman 'sets her cap' for a man.

Women gave men a reason to stay put or to move on. They could thwart as well as inspire, like Ona Faye and Annie Butler. Or Adelita, who gave Lin LaSalle the hope of what could be on the good side of the Law.

Included are stories that focus on men who realize they don't want to continue on as in the past and make the decision to change their lives, such as Slim Ketchum, Wade Hampton, Caleb Rogers and Lin LaSalle. Women are the catalyst for that change and the hope of a new future.