Horace Tabor
This book was published in 1932 and I read it as research for my next novel. I have to say I found the book fascinating. It is really more about Horace Tabor than Silver Dollar (his daughter) and very little about Baby Doe (his second wife). Although the author claims solid research, he pretty much follows the legend of the Tabors to the letter. Having read Judy Nolte Temple's "Baby Doe Tabor - The Madwoman in the Cabin", I know his portrait of this family has inaccuracies. Still, I gained a lot of understanding of how Horace earned and lost his fortune. I think the author, Karsner, captured what Horace was about. This American pioneer had a great lust for life. Everything he did, he did in a big way.
I found the practical first wife, Augusta, very likable. She was only the eleventh woman to live in Denver! Having heard the legend of Baby Doe as a child in Denver which, of course, was a big modern city then, I found this fact intriguing.
What I didn't like about his book was Karsner's judgmental commentary. Silver Dollar is a tragic character and although what I learned made me sympathetic toward her and filled me with understanding, I didn't get a sympathetic vibe from the author.
He gave absolutely no depth to Baby Doe. Even though he met with her in her cabin, he didn't ask her pointed questions. He says "I attempt no interview with Baby Doe. It would have been folly to do so. The story had been told to me many times by numerous people, probably with more clarity and authenticity than she could remember it and piece it together . . ." This made me think Karsner was a bit of a jerk. I got the feeling he (remember this book was released in 1932) didn't relate to women. Their personalities and actions are limited and shallow.
Still, the author was able to bring a tear to my eye. I like how he writes and I'm glad I read this book.
I found the practical first wife, Augusta, very likable. She was only the eleventh woman to live in Denver! Having heard the legend of Baby Doe as a child in Denver which, of course, was a big modern city then, I found this fact intriguing.
What I didn't like about his book was Karsner's judgmental commentary. Silver Dollar is a tragic character and although what I learned made me sympathetic toward her and filled me with understanding, I didn't get a sympathetic vibe from the author.
He gave absolutely no depth to Baby Doe. Even though he met with her in her cabin, he didn't ask her pointed questions. He says "I attempt no interview with Baby Doe. It would have been folly to do so. The story had been told to me many times by numerous people, probably with more clarity and authenticity than she could remember it and piece it together . . ." This made me think Karsner was a bit of a jerk. I got the feeling he (remember this book was released in 1932) didn't relate to women. Their personalities and actions are limited and shallow.
Still, the author was able to bring a tear to my eye. I like how he writes and I'm glad I read this book.
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