December 1, 2009
Man, where did this year go? Home stretch. We've got a great issue going out the door tomorrow. I'm scrambling to finish several pieces of art. Yesterday Ron F. posed for me to represent Edward Cross, the first newspaper editor in Arizona. I couldn't remember if he was the tall one, or was his dueling opponent, Sylvester Mowry? Went home for lunch and whipped this sketch out:

I figured I had a fifty-fifty chance of getting it right. Came back into the office and looked at my notes and, I got it wrong. Cross was six foot three with red beard and hair. Ouch.

Last night I laid in a wash for another take on it and this morning finished it up:

Thanks to Phil Spangenberger and The Lioness Meghan Saar I had very good Burnside rifle reference.

Still need to finish the big doubletruck of the Mesilla Brawl On The Mall, or as my good friend Charlie Waters puts it: The Battle of the Bands. Ha. That effort tomorrow.

I have a speech this afternoon deep inside the Beast (at the downtown Heard Museum). I'm talking about the Apache Wars and Mickey Free.

Todo del Mundo
Howdy Bob, Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how great Source Book issue is. Stopped at home for lunch and to check the mail, it's now 3:30 and I've had no lunch nor have I made it back to work and I'll be dipped but I'm only to page 55. Congratulations to you and your staff for putting this together! —Thanks.
—Mundo

"I don't trust camels or anyone else who can go a week without a drink."
—Old Vaquero Saying