Non-Fiction Books
A historian specializing in the Arkansas River Valley of Colorado, Steven T. Chapman operates the region's most successful guided tour business. The Salida Walking Tours Historical Biography series is the most thorough examination ever of the people and stories defining the area. The best-selling Salida Sam Historical Book Series now has four volumes, each documenting two years of Salida history.
MURDER!
The Criminal Conspiracy & Coverup Behind the Slaying of Salida's Most Famous Marshal
A Salida Walking Tours Historical Biography
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The saga of Marshal Baxter Stingley (1845-1883) involves a fearless, no-nonsense, dedicated public servant who died in the line of duty. Stingley removed crime from the boomtown of Salida and did not tolerate the wild and violent behaviors typical in frontier villages. But he also had a dark side, turning a blind eye to the crimes of friends and family and using his badge to intimidate adversaries. Stingley created enemies of tough, determined men willing to do anything to protect their empires, including murder. After the lynching of a close friend, Stingley swears revenge, starting a series of events that culminated in a shocking crime that angered the nation. For the first time, the complete life and bloody times of Benjamin R. Baxter Stingley are investigated with rarely seen photographs, legal documents, and articles. The conclusion? Powerful rivals had the Marshal murdered before covering their tracks and protecting the killer from capture and prosecution.
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Blood, Booze, & Whores
The History of Salida, Colorado, 1880 & 1881
A 'Salida Sam' Historical Book
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​The ‘Salida Sam’ Historical Book Series focuses almost exclusively on happenings inside the city limits of Salida, Colorado. Volume 1 covers the town’s beginnings from May 1880 through the end of 1881. Although shared through the journal of a fictional character, the stories are 100% true. Salida was a wild west boomtown filled with brutal conflicts, free-flowing whiskey, outlaws, fortune-seekers, and shady ladies. ‘Salida Sam’ speaks with the rough-hewn voice of his era. He’s a man of his time, and his time was often harsh, racist, and sexist. Follow Salida’s growth from an empty, dusty flatland to a railroad hub and center of commerce where settlers found misery as often as success. This quaint mountain town wasn’t always a wholesome tourist mecca.
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Dead Bodies & Brothels
The History of Salida, Colorado, 1882 & 1883
A 'Salida Sam' Historical Book
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​Volume 2 of the ‘Salida Sam’ historical book series continues the tale, which started in 1880. This edition focuses almost exclusively on happenings inside the city limits of Salida, Colorado, in the years 1882 and 1883. No longer a tiny village, Salida has now boomed to a population of 3,000. There are over 100 businesses, 18 saloons, sophisticated gangs, high-stakes gambling, and madams running brothels. Violence continues as the outlaw element fights against civilization and new laws designed to reign in their power. 1883 became one of Salida’s bloodiest years.
Three Murdered Wives
The History of Salida, Colorado, 1884-1885
A 'Salida Sam' Historical Book
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Volume 3 of the 'Salida Sam' historical book series continues the tale, which started in 1880. This edition focuses almost exclusively on happenings inside the city limits of Salida, Colorado, in the years 1884 and 1885. No longer a boomtown, Salida has become a regional economic force. But with success comes a great challenge--the original settlers of Salida now struggle for control of their town and their identity. Still recuperating from the murder of a beloved Marshal, Salidans face East coast power brokers who arrive, establishing a new newspaper and backing political candidates under their control. Amid the fight, Salida learns a serial killer is a significant member of high society.
Salida Burns Down
The History of Salida, Colorado, 1886-1887
A 'Salida Sam' Historical Book
Volume 4 of the 'Salida Sam' historical book series continues the tale, which started in 1880. This edition focuses almost exclusively on happenings inside the city limits of Salida, Colorado, in the years 1886 and 1887. After two years of prosperity and relative calm, Salida faces the most difficult challenge ever when most of the original downtown district becomes leveled by a devastating fire. Everything is gone except home and determination, and the city begins the hard work of rebuilding. The viciousness of the early boom years returns with numerous murders, knifings, and brutal fights. Locals are stunned by the renewed violence and rough characters who arrive in their community. And something entirely new arrives to catapult Salida into the category of one of the West's most modern cities--electricity. Besides a downtown district with multi-story buildings and a prosperous railroad yard, Salida builds an electric power plant and races past other cities with next-level technology--illumination.
LYNCHED!
Mob Justice & A Madness for Blood--The Vigilante Murder That Stained Salida for Decades
A Salida Walking Tours Historical Biography
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In 1891, one of the most ghastly moments in Salida, Colorado history occurred when over 150 vigilantes attacked the jail, removing a prisoner and lynching him on a public street. For the first time, the details of this crime are documented, including the coverup behind the murder and the outcome of all participants. Follow this horrendous event from the beginning, reliving a night of terror and brutality which negatively impacted this small community for years. Complete with maps, photographs, and original newspaper articles.