by Carolyn Everett, Bookmamas
Understandably, the mention of Dodge City conjures up visions of cowboys and tales of the Wild West but in Robert Rebein’s memoir, Dragging Wyatt Earp: A Personal History of Dodge City, you learn much more about Dodge City, Kansas, and the author himself.
Rebein skillfully pairs amusing and poignant anecdotes from his life with equally enlightening stories about Dodge City and Kansas history. You discover fascinating facts about Custer and Coronado while enjoying the tales of home remodeling, car rebuilding and “real” cowboys.
The Rebeins, especially Bill, Robert’s father were DIY before DIY was cool. All items that could be salvaged were so they could be reworked and rebuilt into something amazing. While both witnessing and participating in these projects, Rebein and his six brothers learned not only a myriad of mechanical skills but many life lessons along the way. They knew to respect the effort of a job well done as well as to appreciate the artistry in seemingly menial occupations.
Naturally there were moments of play, hence the title, Dragging Wyatt Earp, which refers to cruising in your car on “Wyatt Earp Boulevard,” a road which ran from Boot Hill to the Dodge House. This was a way to see and be seen by your teenage peers and something some Indianapolis teenagers during the mid to late 1960s might recall doing at 10th Street and Emerson Avenue.
The added bonus to this great memoir is the section of family photos inserted right in the middle of the book. They make you smile from ear-to-ear and welcome you warmly into this wonderful life.
Robert Rebein will have his book launch for Dragging Wyatt Earp: A Personal History of Dodge City on Friday, March 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Bookmamas bookstore, 9 S. Johnson in Irvington.
