Desert Dust: One Man's Passion to Uncover the True Story Behind an Iconic American Photograph

TWO MEN-A WILD STALLION-A PHOTOGRAPH THAT CHANGED THEIR LIVES FOREVER

ON THE MORNING OF JULY 12, 1945, as residents of Rawlins, Wyoming were waking up to an article about rounding up wild horses with an airplane, a palomino stallion was losing his fight for freedom at the hands of a wrangler known as Frank "Wild Horse" Robbins, the man featured in that article. Knowing a wild palomino was rare, Robbins sent for photographer

Verne Wood to capture the animal on film.

Forty years later, a question from a daughter to her father about that very photograph would set the man on a sixteen-year journey to find the truth. He would discover that Woods took a one-in-a-million photograph; one that won a prestigious contest, the winning of which set the horse-and the two men-on a rollercoaster ride toward destiny. As the photo gained fame worldwide-appearing in the Wyoming State Capitol, the United States Senate Chambers, the House of Commons in London, and the Canadian Parliament in Toronto-the horse became the star of a film nominated for an Academy Award. All while Robbins and Wood battled for ownership of the photo and its copyrighted name, resulting in one of the most unique Solomonesque rulings ever handed down by a court.

What started out as a passion, soon became an obsession to uncover the entire truth-or at least as close to the truth as any one man could come. With over 150 photos, Desert Dust follows Gill Gillilan's investigation into one of the most famous horses in the American West. It is a story of highs and lows, victory and defeat, frailty and strength. It contains one of the most unique cast of characters ever assembled, including the stallion that ended up a supporting actor in his own life story.

Author: Paul W. Papa, R. J. Gill Gillilan
Publisher: Stacgroup LLC
Published: 04/10/2020
Pages: 470
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.17lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.25w x 1.05d
ISBN: 9781734405729


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 01/01/0001

About the Author
Papa, Paul W.: - Paul W. Papa is an award-winning writer who lived in Laramie, Wyoming, until, after shoveling himself out of one too many six-foot snowdrifts, he strapped a snow shovel onto the front of his vehicle and drove south until someone asked him what it was. He landed in Las Vegas, Nevada(where, by the way, it does not snow), and quickly developed a love for writing true stories about uncommon events. Having never forgotten his Wyoming roots, Paul continues to be fascinated by stories of the once Wild West. A member of the Western Writers of America. When not at his keyboard, Paul can be found watching Westerns, investigating some old building, or sitting in a local diner hunting down his next story.Gillilan, R. J. Gill: - R.J. Gill Gillilan grew up in Wyoming, graduating from Rawlins High School. He attended Casper College, ISU and UW, then served in the U.S. Army. His interest in law enforcement was sparked by a ride-along with the Denver FD Arson Investigation Unit. Gillilan attended the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy and became a certified peace officer. He obtained advanced investigative training at the Nevada Law Enforcement Academy and was certified as an investigator by the National Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulations. He served on both the LVMPD's Use of Force Review Board and the FBI's board dedicated to stopping the exploitation of children. Gill became interested in the Desert Dust story when he obtained a copy of the famous Desert Dust photograph. For the past 17 years, using his investigative skills, he has actively researched the subject. Gill has amassed a comprehensive collection of information from regional libraries, archives, and personal interviews, along with his associated memorabilia. His research documents represent his effort to preserve a valuable piece of Wyoming's western history, and the collection is housed at American Heritage Center in Laramie.