The Sacketts: The First Family of the West Part three

The third and concluding part of the Archive’s look at the chronology of Louis L’amour’s Sackett saga.

William Tell Sackett is the narrator for Lonely on the Mountain (1980) which is set in the latter half of the 1870’s and although Tell takes centre stage both Orrin and Logan Sackett have major parts in the story. Logan in fact is the catalyst for this particular adventure when he sends out word that he needs help to raise a herd and drive them North. His call is heard by other members of the Sackett clan and the plea is answered by Logan’s cousins, Tell and Orrin. So with Tell Sackett ramrodding, Tyrel, Orrin, and Cap Rountree ride north to the wild country-pushing 1100 head of fat steers across the wide Dakota plains toward the mountains of far western Canada. Past Sioux, past Logan's treacherous enemies, through trails no cattle had ever crossed, the Sacketts drive on. Because when you step on the toes of one Sackett they all come running.

             

Chronologically the reader now needs to be pick up 1972’s, Ride the Dark Trail to pick up on the Sackett timeline. The book narrated by Logan Sackett and features the Talon side of the Sackett family – Emily Sackett, of the Clinch Mountain Sacketts married Reed Talon and named their first child Barnabas after Barnabas Sackett who came to the new world and started the Sackett bloodline in America.

            Logan Sackett was wild and rootless, riding west in search of easy living. Then he met Emily Talon, a fiery old widow who was even wilder than he was. Tall and lean, Em was determined to defend herself against the locals who were trying to steal her land. Logan didn't want to get involved, until he found out that Em had been born a Sackett. Em was bucking overwhelming odds, but Logan wouldn't let her stand alone. For even the rebellious drifter knew that part of being a Sackett was backing up your family when they needed you.

             

The Sackett Brand (1965) comes next. Narrated by William Tell Sackett and set in the final years of the 1870’s. Tell Sackett and his bride, Ange, came to Arizona to build a home and start a family. But on Black Mesa something goes terribly wrong. Tell is ambushed and badly injured. When he finally manages to drag himself back to where he left Ange, she is gone. Desperate, cold, hungry, and with no way to defend himself, Tell is stalked like a wounded animal. Hiding from his attackers, his rage and frustration mounting, he tries to figure out who the men are, why they are trying to kill him, and what has happened to his wife. Discovering the truth will be risky. And when he finally does, it will be their turn to run.

             

The last of the Sackett novels in chronological order is 1967’s The Skyliners which takes place during the years 1875 – 1879. Narrated by Flagan Sackett,The Sky-Liners, Louis L’Amour introduces Flagan and Galloway Sackett, heading west from Tennessee to seek their fortunes. That’s when they came across an old Irish trader who offered them two fine horses if they would agree to escort his granddaughter, Judith, to her father in Colorado. Flagan saw nothing but trouble in the fiery young woman, but they needed the horses. Unfortunately, Flagan was right, for Judith had fallen for James Black Fetchen, a charismatic gunman whose courtship hid the darkest of intentions. Now Fetchen and his gang are racing the Sackett brothers to Colorado—leaving behind a trail of betrayal, robbery, and murder. Flagan and Galloway can only guess why Judith is so important to Fetchen and what awaits them at her father’s ranch. One thing Flagan knows for sure: The tough and spirited woman has won his heart. But can he trust her with his life?

            There are also two short stories that should feature in the Sackett chronology. "The Courting of Griselda" (available in End of the Drive) and "Booty for a Badman" (available in War Party)

The novel The Man from Broken Hills (1975) is often included among Sackett list since Milo Talon’s mother was a Sackett, but Louis L’amour in The Sackett Companion stated that the book is  a Talon story and does not belong amongst the Sackett chronology.

L’amour had other Sackett stories planned but he never completed them and the world lost perhaps its best known western writer in 1988, when L’amour died after a long battle with lung cancer. The author writes about future plans for the characters in The Sackett Companion, including tales set around the American war for independence.

"His death was a tragedy to anyone who admired literature, he showed people what a good story can do, whether it was an escape from the everyday life or just a bedside companion. His stories painted a picture in your mind that pleased anyone 8-80 years old, male or female. His writings could teach life lessons or bring people closer together like it did between my father and I. His work can take you on an adventure unlike others the average person is subject to. In a world that is so "high-tech" its a great feeling when you pick up a L'Amour book and are taken on an adventure filled ride through the world of literature." - S.J. Reese

Correct chronological reading order

Sackett’s Land

To the Far Blue Mountains

The Warrior’s Path

Jubal Sackett

Ride the River

The Daybreakers

Sackett

Lando

Mojave Crossing

Mustang Man

The Lonely Men

Galloway

Treasure Mountain

Lonely on the Mountain

Ride the Dark Trail

The Sackett Brand

The Sky Liners

In total these books cover the period 1600-1879

The main Sackett characters are listed below. There are also other Sackett’s mentioned in the various novels but it would be impossible to list all of these as some are never named.

Barnabas Sackett- The founding member of the Sackett clan. Travels to the New World to escape the warrant of the Queen. Killed by Seneca Indians. Son of Ivo Sackett, soldier and war hero.
Kin-Ring Sackett- First son of Barnabas Sackett, born on a buffalo robe in the heat of battle. First Sackett born in the New World. Married Diana Macklin from Cape Ann.
Brian Sackett- Second son of Barnabas Sackett. Leaves America with his mother and sister to study law in England
Yance Sackett- Third son of Barnabas Sackett. Best known for his quick temper and strength and willingness of action. Founder of Clinch Mountain Branch of Sacketts. Married a girl named Temperance Penney from Cape Ann.
Jublain Sackett (Jubal)- Fourth son of Barnabas Sackett. He was the first Sackett to cross the mountains and see the plains. Known as the quiet one, he is a ghost in the woods. Spends much time away from home and eventually quits the hills of North Carolina for the Rocky Mountains. Marries Itchakomi Ishaia, a "Sun" of the Natchee.
Echo Sackett- Only female member of the Sackett clan to narrate a story. Aunt of Tell, Orrin and Tyrel.
Logan Sackett- Twin brother of Nolan Sackett. Comes from the Clinch Mountain branch of Sacketts and lives up to their reputation. Rough, two-fisted, a man "with the bark on", and with a deserved reputation as being fast with a gun and hell-on wheels in any kind of fight, he has ridden the Owlhoot Trail and admits to skirting the dark side of the law on more than one occasion. A lot rougher than Orrin or Tyrel, he is nonetheless a generally decent man. Comes to the aid of his aunt, Emily Talon.
Nolan Sackett- Twin Brother of Logan Sackett. Comes from the Clinch Mountain Branch of Sacketts. Like his brother, he has ridden the outlaw trail. Rough and dangerous, with a hefty reputation as a very bad man to fool around with, he has a strong sense of right and wrong. Wears two pistols.
Orlando Sackett (Lando)- Son of Falcon Sackett. One of the last Sacketts to move west. Spends six years in a Mexican prison. Becomes a well-known fist-fighter and boxer.
Falcon Sackett- Father of Orlando Sackett. Formerly captain of a ship. Finds a lost treasure of great value and spends several years in a Mexican prison before finally escaping and being rescued by his son.
Flagan Sackett- Brother of Galloway Sackett. One of the younger Sacketts. Has a strong will to survive. Rarely found far from his brother.
Galloway Sackett- Brother of Flagan Sackett. Tall and handsome, nearly fearless in the face of danger. Known to brave danger and live.
Parmalee Sackett-- A "flatland Sackett", Parmalee's family moved down to the richer flatlands while the majority of the clan stayed in the mountains. His affluent lifestyle has not made him weak, as men who have braced him could testify - if they were still above ground.

The Sacketts: The First Family of the West part two

Continuing the Archive’s look at Louis L’amour’s Sackett saga

William Tell Sackett is back to narrate Mojave Crossing (1964) with this novel set during the latter half of the 1870’s. Nolan Sackett also appears, a direct descendent of Yance Sackett who settled in the Clinch Mountains and coming from the branch of the family tree known as the outlaw Sacketts. What will happen when Sackett faces off against Sackett?  The following novel, Mustang Man (1966) takes up Nolan’s story. Indeed Nolan is the narrator of this story. It all starts with Nolan Sackett running for his life when he comes across two stranded travellers. One a beautiful lady named Sylvie who was no sooner rescued by Nolan than she tried to kill him. It turns out that she was meaner than most of the hard western cowboys that he was use to dealing with. Nolan soon meets another pretty girl named Penelope who has a sad story and needs his help. Little did he realize that helping Penelope would put him right back in conflict with Sylvie and her gang of outlaws.

The Lonely Men (1969) brings back William Tell Sackett and again the book is set in the mid to late 1870’s. The story sees Tell riding into Mexico to rescue his nephew Orry, son of Orrin from the Apaches. Tell Sackett had fought his share of Indians and managed to take something of value from his battles: a deep and abiding respect. But that respect is lost when Apache braves kidnap his nephew, forcing Tell to cross the border into the Sierra Madres to bring the boy back. What troubles Tell more, though, is the boy’s mother: Could she possibly be inventing a rescue mission to deliver her husband’s brother into an ambush?

"West of Yuma, Arizona I had occassion to look for and find a desert water hole called Sackett's Well. This was my introduction to the Sackett name." Louis L'amour.

Galloway (1970) is narrated by Flagan Sackett who together with his brother Galloway are drifting around looking for somewhere to start up a ranch. Logan Sackett and Parmalee Sackett also feature in this story. Trouble was following Flagan Sackett with a vengeance. Captured and tortured by a band of Apaches, he escaped into the rugged San Juan country, where he managed to stay alive until his brother Galloway could find him. But the brothers were about to encounter worse trouble ahead. Their plan to establish a ranch angered the Dunn clan, who had decided that the vast range would be theirs alone. Now Galloway and Flagan would face an enemy who killed for sport—but as long as other Sacketts lived, they would not fight alone.

      

"The story of Treasure Mountain is well known in Colorado and the location of the mountain itself is certainly no secret. Wolf Creek Pass, famous in song and story, covers one side of the mountain, and it is there for anybody to see. As it is 13,442 feet in altitude, Treasure Mountain is hard to miss." Louis L'amour.     

Treasure Mountain (1972) is another William Tell Sackett story - Orrin and Tell Sackett had come to exotic New Orleans looking for answers to their father’s disappearance twenty years before. To uncover the truth, the brothers enlisted the aid of a trail wise gypsy and a mysterious voodoo priest as they sought to re-create their father’s last trek. But Louisiana is a dangerous land, and with one misstep the brothers could disappear in the bayous before they even set foot on the trail that led to whatever legacy their father had left behind ... and a secret worth killing for.

Next we cover the final novels in the Sackett saga - Lonely on the Mountain to The Skyliners, we will also cover the short stories to feature members of the Sackett clan and speculate on what Lamour had in line for the most famous Western family in all literature.

The Sacketts: The First Family of the West part one

The first Sackett novel was The Daybreakers,  published in 1960 – though when L’amour penned this novel he was unaware that it would kick off a series of 17 novels that would cover the entire history of a frontier. Chronologically this first novel actually comes sixth in the series. 

It's an ambitious series that remains unfinished since L’amour planned other books. There are some tantalising hints at what these might have added to the Sackett saga in the author’s The Sackett Companion (Bantam Books) which was published a few months after the author’s death and is essential reading for anyone wanting to follow the series. The book contains a useful Sackett family tree as well as a detailed synopsis of each of the novels.

"Much of American history has been the stories of families moving westward, and after I had written Daybreakers, I decided to tell the story of the opening of a continent as seen through the eyes of three familes, the Sacketts, the Chantrys and the Talons." Louis L'amour.

For this first part of a three part article we will look at the series in the correct chronological order, covering what are chronologically the first eight novels – The story opens with Sackett’s Land (1974), which is set in the year 1600 and opens up in England where we meet Barnabas Sackett and travel with him to a strange land across the sea where the Sackett clan would really make their mark. The book is followed directly by, To the Far Blue Mountains (1976) which is set between 1600 and 1620 and sees Barnabas return to the land of his birth only to find there is a warrant for his arrest. Barnabas faces much danger and when he returns to the New World he has his bride, Abigail with him.

The Warriors Path (1980) introduces King Ring Sackett and opens in the 1620’s – King Ring is the first son of Barnabas and he is both a skilled swordsman and crackshot. In this story he finds a wife and returns with her to Shooting Creek, which has become the homeland of the Sackett clan.

Jubal Sackett (1985) tells the story of Kin Ring’s brother Jubal, a man who inherited a love of wandering from his father. He is also something of a loner and he is constantly looking for one more river to cross, one more mountain to climb.

"The story of the West is our story, an American story but one for all the world, and all the world contributed. First came the French and the Spanish, then the Anglo Saxon and Irish and afterwards the Germans, the blacks, the Scandinavians and others." Louis L'amour.

            Ride the River (1983) then takes up the saga and introduces us to Echo Sackett and a story set in the 1840’s, making Echo one of the fourth generation of Sackett’s born in America. Echo gives up her home in Tenessee in order to travel to Philadelphia to collect an inheritance. Another Sackett features heavily in this story – Regal Sackett is Echo’s uncle but other members of the family also make appearances.

           

This all takes us up to The Daybreakers (1960) which as previously mentioned was actually the first Sackett novel published but comes much later in the chronology. The year is 1870 and it tells the story of brothers Orrin and Tyrel Sackett and formed the basis for the 1979 TV movie. Sackett (1961) comes next and is the story of William Tell Sackett and of his discovery of an ancient trail, which leads him  to a horde of gold and a girl and a whole heap of trouble. This novel’s storyline was also woven into the 1979 TV movie but the novel is a standalone story and neither Tyrell nor Orrin appear in the original novel.

            Lando (1962) starts in 1873 and tells of Orlando Sackett who leaves the Tennessee Mountains in search for a better way of life. He becomes involved with The Tinker who is a gypsey with a mysterious background and like many a Sackett before and since Orlando becomes seduced by the allure of gold and sets off on a deadly adventure.

The Sackett series is not only the story of a bloodline but it is also the story of America and of the parts played by other nations in its creation - when Barnabas first landed in Carolina it was in theory owned by the King of England and Spain possessed Florida where there was much conflict with the French. Eventually the United States would form and throughout all this history there has been one or more members of the Sackett clan playing their part. The saga contains everything the reader demands from a western story as well as so much more and in the next part of this article we will travel to Mojave Crossing and continue onto Treasure Mountains.

Official Louis L'amour website can be found HERE