Author's mission is to keep story alive

By COURTNEY LOONEY

Salina Journal

History buffs can buy the latest editions of Jeff Broome's books -- and hear what he's learned since finishing the books -- when he speaks at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Lincoln County Historical Society.

Broome, a professor at Arapahoe Community College in Colorado, is the author of "Dog Soldier Justice: The Ordeal of Susanna Alderdice in the Kansas Indian War" and "Custer into the West."

"Dog Soldier Justice" was first published by the Lincoln County Historical Society in 2003. After selling out, a second printing was made, and on July 1 another edition was produced, which will receive worldwide distribution.

The newest edition will be available Saturday.

"This is my first time in Kansas since my book has been published," Broome said. "People will be able to buy the book, signed by me."

Broome said his speech will cover new material he has discovered since publishing the books.

Brenda Peterson, a member of the Lincoln County Historical Society, said the people of Lincoln County and the surrounding areas are looking forward to hearing Broome.

"He felt it was an opportunity to speak to folks around here about his books," she said. "We all know what a good speaker he is. We all know the information that he has researched since it was right here in Lincoln County. He will be coming out to spend the weekend with us."

Broome's interest in history dates back to his years as a student at St. John's Military School in Salina, from 1967 to 1971.

"While I was there, I was really interested in Kansas history," he said. "I used to go out into the fields and pretend Indians were out there hiding in the banks. When I went to St. John's, it's like I got to be a soldier."

Years later, while in Colorado, Broome discovered a marker believed to be a gravestone for a woman named Susanna Alderdice.

"I had read accounts about the battle where Susanna was killed, called Summit Springs," he said. "Nobody seemed to know who she was. I started to research it to find the truth."

Broome said his inspiration to seek Susanna's story began while he was researching the Kansas Indian Wars. As he was writing a book about Lt. Col. George A. Custer, he stumbled once again upon the name of Alderdice.

"In writing the book, I thought that I needed to know about the Battle of Summit Springs. There were the stories of Susanna and Maria Weichell in it. I ended up writing a whole different book and going back later to finish the other. It's funny how it works out."

Broome will speak in Lincoln County on a special anniversary. July 11 marks the 140th anniversary of the death of Alderdice. In May 1869, Cheyenne Dog Soldier Indians made their third and final deadly raid in Lincoln County. Alderdice, 24, her 8-month-old daughter, Alice, and Maria Weichell were captured.

Soldiers discovered the Indians days later at Summit Springs, which is near present-day Sterling. Rather than allowing her to be rescued, the Indians killed Alderdice. Weichell was shot but survived.

"After researching, it became my mission to keep Susanna's story alive, so it's not lost," Broome said. "I contacted some of the descendents of the family and most of them didn't know their families' history."

Broome spent most of his research time in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The majority of his work had not been written about previously.

"He is a very knowledge person when it comes to correct data and researching the facts," Peterson said. "It is very factual history he has written."

Broome said history has always been an interest to him, but it's turned out to be more than just writing. It has turned his life upside down.

"On a personal level, I had just gone through a painful divorce," he said. "Susanna was kind of the focus to stop thinking about poor me. Because of it, I got out of my depression, I'm remarried and very happy. My wife actually read my book, we started e-mailing and are now married."

n Reporter Courtney Looney can be reached at 823-6464, ext. 153, or by e-mail at clooney@salina.com.

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