Sagebrush or Gold Dust

The book is the true story of one pioneer families' journey to Oregon and the establishment of a homestead ranch near Auburn, Oregon; site of the famed 1861 Gold Strike by Henry Griffin. This novel details the actual accounts of the Haskell family in their struggle to survive their new life in Eastern Oregon. This narrative details a long running feud between the patriarch, Monroe Galusha Haskell, and his oldest son, Charlie Haskell. Monroe was secure in his supreme wisdom that ranching was Charlie's destiny. But he locked horns endlessly with his son whose independent spirit and high roller faith convinced him that he'd find his destiny in becoming the owner of a Gold Mine.


Historic accounts of cattle rustling, crippling droughts, hard drinking, deadly blizzards, murders and lynchings, the sudden deaths of five family members, a traumatic accident that leaves a daughter with bouts of temporary insanity and a grudge against chickens, and finally two grandsons who enlist in World War One. The youngest sees action in the biggest battles with American General Blackjack Pershing and pays dearly for it.


At times sad and then humorous these tales define what it is about us as people that makes us most interesting; our virtues and flaws; in short, our humanity.