Budge Ruffner

This small press book was published in 1972 and features 96-pages about Arizona history. Ruffner's approach is that of a companionable storyteller. Almost all of the story are two pages long, some of them mere anecdotes. Some delve into territorial history, where others talk of the 20th century. His view towards the native population is respectful, downright sad at times in regards to their unjust treatment and the loss of their ancient treasures. A old-timer of the state would get a lot more out of it than I did, but it still made for an interesting read.

I especially liked finding out that the grounds of the San Marcos Resort--where I stayed for a writers' conference two years ago--was originally an ostrich farm, and that when ostrich feather fashion stopped in the mid-1910s, it devastated that early industry of the state.… (mehr)