About the Authors

      James O. Easterbrook (1936-2011) lived the history of the Old West. A  graduate of Toledo University, he served honorably in the U.S. Air  Force for three years upon receiving his commission at graduation  through ROTC.  He next achieved executive status in the insurance  industry at a young age, and retired early to devote his life to  researching and teaching the stories of the 19th century frontier.

     Mr. Easterbrook's published works include Reflections of the Gunfighter (1982), The Time Traveler in Old Colorado (1985), and numerous cowboy poems and newspaper articles. An aficionado  of all things Western American, when given the opportunity to appear in  films he did. He can be seen in several scenes in The Long Riders (1980) and Tombstone (1993).

     He scripted and starred in his one-act show "Legacy of the West" and  toured it in Colorado and Arizona for many years, presenting it to  schools and civic groups. Eventually he successfully toured the act in  several European countries.

     A lifelong student of William H.  Bonney and the Lincoln County War, Mr. Easterbrook began his research on  Billy the Kid while in his teens, and never stopped digging and  investigating the life of the most maligned cowboy in the history of the  Southwest. He passed away still young-at-heart, a devoted student and  promoter of America's vanished West. The Narrative of William H. Bonney is his seminal work, his final iconic contribution to the lore of America's lost frontier.

     Russell G. Nelson is a lifelong student of the American  Frontier, his primary interest being the Rocky Mountain fur trade and  the pre-settlement West. An early member of the American Mountainmen, he  taught himself many frontier era skills including tanning leather,  horse packing and horse shoeing. He has hunted  and trapped from the  upper Arkansas River to the Gunnison River..

     His  undergraduate studies were guided by James T. King, biographer of  General Eugene Carr, and his cousin Ray Allen Billington and living  history companion Don Rickey were longtime influences on his study of  Western American history. He continued his graduate studies in history  while residing in Oklahoma.

     Mr. Nelson's editing skills were learned then honed while working on his college newspaper, and then on a small weekly. Of The Narrative of William H. Bonney he says, "I tightened it up as much as possible without changing  content. And I stand by the colorful syntax for it reflects the way Bill  used the language."

     A graduate of Officers  Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia, Mr. Nelson is a retired U.S.  Army infantry officer (Regular Army). A life member of Disabled American  Veterans and the National Rifle Association, he is also the author of  the 20th century Western novel Pals.