Saddle up for an extraordinary ride into the heart of the California Gold Rush with the latest issue of Saddlebag Dispatches! Journey back to the rugged days of gold seekers and dream chasers, where fortunes were made, lives were lost, and legends were born. Unearth captivating stories of Cherokee wagon trains braving the goldfields, the daring exploits of gambler Eleanor Dumont, and the inspiring legacy of Mary Ellen Pleasant, America's first Black woman millionaire. Discover the real story behind Zorro with Anthony Wood, and explore Hollywood's glittering take on the Gold Rush era with Terry Alexander. Don't miss Sherry Monahan's Lively Libations column, serving up the flavors of the frontier, and our 2024 Longhorn Prize-winning tale, Bob Armstrong's "Clay Allison's Girl," a fantastic read you won't soon forget.

For fiction fans, our short story selection this issue features works by five exceptional authors, including Thom Brucie, Will Ames, and Don Money. And don't forget to dive into "Second Anniversary, " Part 2 of New York Times Bestselling Author Reavis Z. Wortham's thrilling three-part Western time-travel serial, sure to keep you turning pages.

So, pour yourself a steaming cup from the camp pot, settle in by the fire, and experience the very best in Western storytelling with this milestone issue!