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John L. Moore, Northumberland, has announced the publication of "Warriors, Wampum & Wolves," the sixth book in his Pennsylvania Frontier Series.The 48-page, non-fiction volume contains true stories of real people caught up in the struggles that took place all along the Pennsylvania frontier throughout the 1700s.
The author and self-publisher said that the opening chapter details the early experiences and adventures of one of the greatest missionaries who ever served Native American people - David Zeisberger of the Moravian Church, headquartered in Bethlehem. He spent several years in central Pennsylvania as he learned to speak the native languages.
"By 1753, Zeisberger had become an experienced hunter, fisherman and wilderness traveler," Moore said. "He had acquired the skills he needed to ensure success in his lifelong effort to take the gospel to American Indians. Zeisberger was a daring and determined frontiersman who felt as much at home while sailing along the Susquehanna River in a dugout canoe as he did while preaching to a congregation of American Indians."
Another chapter details the day-by-day misfortunes and missteps that plagued Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock as he took a British army deep into western Pennsylvania to drive out the French in 1755. The broad outline of this campaign, infamous as "Braddock's Defeat," may be well known, but Moore asked, "Who knew that Braddock took a woman along on the march to look after his cows? The cows provided fresh milk for his two cooks as they performed culinary chores along the march for the obese commander."
Throughout the book, colorful anecdotes tell how travelers and settlers often encountered wolves, or heard their mournful howling in the nearby forests. The stories, which have special emphasis on the French and Indian War (1754-1763), are set mainly in the valleys of the Susquehanna, Delaware, Lehigh and Ohio rivers.
Moore, a veteran newspaperman, said he employed a journalist's eye for detail and ear for quotes in order to write about long-dead people in a lively way. He said the book is based on 18th and 19th century letters, journals, memoirs and transcripts of official proceedings such as interrogations, depositions and treaties.
The author is also a professional storyteller who specializes in dramatic episodes from Pennsylvania's colonial history. Dressed in 18th century clothing, he does storytelling in the persona of "Susquehanna Jack," a frontier ruffian. Moore is available weekdays, weekends and evenings for audiences and organizations of all types and sizes.
Moore has participated in several archaeological excavations of Native American sites. These include the Village of Nain, Bethlehem; the City Island project in Harrisburg, conducted by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission during the 1990s; and a Bloomsburg University dig in 1999 at a Native American site near Nescopeck. He also took part in a 1963 excavation conducted by the New Jersey State Museum along the Delaware River north of Worthington State Forest.
MORE:
Northumberland author releases latest book about Pa. frontier - News - Republican Herald
