Railroad Man, Legacies Son by Dan E. Hendrickson is a Western, set in Wyoming and Montana, just after the Civil War, as large railway magnates sought to open up new territories and provide ranchers with a cost-effective method of shipping their produce east. Navy veteran and hero of the Civil War against slavery is the latest troubleshooter sent to the territory to assist in the extension of the railway line from Cheyenne to Billings. The local ranchers are desperate to see the railroad progress, so they can end expensive, long-haul cattle drives south to Colorado, and some will do whatever it takes to make this railroad happen. Standing in the way is a wise, elderly Native-American Chief, Pretty Eagle, of the Crow Nation, who wants a signed treaty outlining their rights and rewards. Can Arthur Edwards walk the fine line between the impatient cattlemen and the implacable Pretty Eagle? Complicating matters is Arthur’s immediate attraction to a young railway worker, Aylen, who just happens to be Pretty Eagle’s granddaughter. The stage is set for an explosive showdown. Railroad Man, Legacies Son is another in the historical series from author Dan E. Hendrickson that chronicles the history of the Edwards family. The action is non-stop, and the plot twists and turns in exciting directions. The author tempers the narrative with a gentle and very proper romance between Arthur and Aylen, which gives a delightful romantic backdrop. The author was deeply sympathetic to the Native-American cause and drew their characters sympathetically and warmly. I also liked that the local sheriff, married to Apony, Aylen’s mother, and Pretty Eagle’s daughter, gave a sense of family and community. The legend of the unridable horse, Swiftwind, gave the entire story an extra lift. There are many underlying themes, but the one that stands out the most is humanity. The author reminds us how Western civilization allowed its greed, lust for land, and demand for dominance and progress to override basic concerns of human decency. By humanizing these characters, the novel reminds us of our common humanity. The story is another winner from this author, and I await his next book with bated breath. I highly recommend all this author’s works.
