I probably did a better job of keeping everyone up to date on the progress of the Old Boston book in 2018 and I thought the Big Bill Thompson book would come together sooner, but I will say it is close. We have merged the Plainsman Herald website and the Baca County History web sites. All of the historical pieces from Baca County History website are now available on Plainsman Herald website. I will share the following:

Upcoming Sequel Chronicles the Wild West: “Two Reputations” Builds Upon the Legacy of “Old Boston: Wild As They Come”

December 26, 2024—Springfield, CO

In the annals of the American West, some stories endure, captivating new audiences with every retelling. Such is the case with The Man with Two Reputations: The Regulator Bill Thompson, the sequel to Old Boston: Wild As They Come. Written by Kent Brooks, this new volume delves deeper into the tumultuous history of Southeast Colorado, expanding upon themes of justice, survival, and the blurred lines between lawmen and outlaws.

Building on the vivid storytelling of Old Boston, which chronicled the rise and fall of the lawless boomtown of Boston, Colorado, Two Reputations shifts focus to the personal story of Bill Thompson. A deputy sheriff and notorious regulator, Thompson’s dual legacy as both a protector and a predator shaped the rugged landscape of the frontier—a contradiction Brooks explores in this latest work.

A Continuation of a Thrilling Frontier Saga

Brooks has teased that Two Reputations will offer a nuanced portrayal of Thompson’s life, a man equally revered by powerful cattle barons and feared by settlers and homesteaders. “Thompson’s story isn’t black-and-white,” Brooks notes in a recent statement. “He symbolizes the contradictions of the American West—where survival and justice often depended on the barrel of a gun.”

While Old Boston painted a raw picture of boomtowns like Boston and Springfield, marked by vigilante justice and violent ambition, the sequel explores the personal dimensions of these historical forces. Readers will uncover the brutal realities of Thompson’s role as an enforcer for the Prairie Cattle Company, a position that made him a hero to some and a villain to many.

Anchored in Historical Fact, Driven by Character

Brooks’ meticulous research in Two Reputations, blends historical accuracy with compelling storytelling. The book offers a deeper dive into the forces that shaped the frontier, connecting Thompson’s personal journey to the broader struggles of the era.

“Thompson represents the paradox of the American West,” Brooks explained. “To cattle companies, he was a protector of order. To settlers, he was a terror, willing to use violence to protect corporate interests.”

Where Old Boston spotlighted forgotten boomtowns and their chaotic rise and fall, Two Reputations shifts the narrative to the people who embodied the frontier’s moral complexities. From Thompson’s work in the Neutral Strip to his fateful final moments mediating a dispute, the book paints a vivid portrait of a man whose life reflected the turbulent forces of his time.

Expanding the Lore of the Frontier

With Two Reputations, Brooks also connects the dots between regional history and the larger mythology of the American West. The sequel builds upon Old Boston’s exploration of boomtowns tied to railroad speculation, county seats and free land, delving into the darker underbelly of corporate power and its enforcers.

Brooks brings history to life, weaving together personal accounts and historical events to deepen readers’ understanding of frontier justice. “This isn’t just a story about one man; it’s a story about the forces that shaped the West,” Brooks said. “Thompson’s life is both a product of and a reaction to the world around him—one defined by conflict, ambition, and survival.”

A Wild West Tale Worth the Wait

For fans of Old Boston: Wild As They Come, the sequel promises a continuation of the themes and characters that made the original so memorable. At the same time, The Man with Two Reputations stands alone as a gripping exploration of the frontier’s murky morality. Two Reputations ensures that the untamed days of Southeast Colorado remain vivid in the public imagination, bridging historical fact with narrative flair.  Brooks says,  “We got the history correct and the story is crazy.”

Set for release soon through Lonesome Prairie Publications, The Man with Two Reputations is poised to capture the imagination of history buffs and Wild West aficionados alike. This riveting tale of survival, justice, and ambition cements Kent Brooks’ reputation as a master chronicler of the American frontier, particularly in Southeast Colorado. Stay tuned for a thrilling journey into the heart of the Old West—a saga of boomtowns, bloodshed, and a man whose name still echoes across the plains of Southeast Colorado.