In the brush : or, Old-time social, political, and religious life in the southwest

A vivid recollection of life on the frontier, this memoir follows a learned minister as he settles into the rugged landscape of the Southwest. From the moment he steps off the train, readers are drawn into a world of log cabins, open‑air barbecues, and bustling basket‑meetings where faith and community intertwine. Through clear, steady narration, he shares the everyday rituals of worship, the challenges of maintaining a parish, and the unexpected humor that springs from frontier customs.

The author paints a portrait not just of sermons and sacraments, but of the people who shape the region—politicians, circuit‑riders, and hardy families whose hospitality is as generous as the land is wild. He recounts colorful episodes—a horse that becomes a steadfast companion, a baptism for a newborn in the brush, and a wedding feast that turns into a communal celebration. The result is a warm, honest snapshot of a bygone era, offering listeners a genuine sense of the social and religious life that defined the American West.