Land of the Burnt Thigh (Illustrated)

Book excerpt: Land of the Burnt Thigh tells the story of two sisters from a comfortable family in the Eastern United States, braving great perils to settle in the West. This book tells a simple yet inspiring tale of the hardships and adversity encountered by women in the pioneer culture of the 19th century. South Dakota was one of the States newly populated by adventurous peoples wishing to settle the great Western expanse. At the time, the federal government allowed settlers to keep a parcel of land for their own on the condition that they remained resident for eight consecutive months. The adverse weather, of snowstorms and blowing sands, tests the ability of the women who must endure these months in a spartan wooden shack. This edition of Land of the Burnt Thigh contains the original illustrations by Stephen J. Voorhies. "Interesting in its spirit and atmosphere, and it is told simply and well. . . This is an unusual record, well worth reading." - New York Times Book Review "Mrs. Kohl has told this story of South Dakota with a simplicity, a directness, and an understanding of its quietly heroic element which make her book an appealing as well as a significant contribution to the latter-day history of the pioneers." - Saturday Review