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Harbored Hatred, Hollow Heart – Epilogue
The tragic story of Howard Unruh could easily be mistaken for the account of any recent mass killing—a seemingly ordinary individual, plagued by inner demons, suddenly unleashing unfathomable violence upon a community, leaving devastation in their wake. Yet, this tale predates the modern era of mass shootings, marking a chilling…
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Harbored Hatred, Hollow Heart
The morning sun peeked through the thick curtains of a small, cluttered apartment, casting long shadows across the room. The man sat at his kitchen table, meticulously polishing the barrel of a Luger handgun, a weapon he had brought back as a souvenir of his time in the war. His…
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Cultural and Regional Studies, Historical Figures and Impact, Military and War History, Personal Histories and Narratives
Soldier, Settler, Storyteller – Part 2
The following year of 1875 brought a decree that put Zahn at a crossroads: soldiers were to either marry their Indian companions or part ways. Zahn, unable to afford the dowry but unwilling to abandon his love, chose to leave the Army. This decision spared him from participating in the…
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Cultural and Regional Studies, Historical Context and Events, Military and War History, Personal Histories and Narratives
Soldier, Settler, Storyteller – Part 1
In the vast, untamed expanse of the Dakota Territory, where rolling prairies met rugged hills and the sky seemed to stretch on forever, my cousin William Presley Zahn stood on a divide between two worlds, his life poised to thread through the heart of an emerging nation’s turmoil. This land,…
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Disaster on the Delaware
It was late on the evening of April 30th, 1896, and the spring night hung heavy over the Delaware River. A seemingly tranquil family visit had taken an unforeseen turn, plunging the hearts of those involved into a tempest of emotions. Louisa (Vautier) Adams, a visitor from Philadelphia, had accompanied…
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A Visit to Gettysburg
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is a town rich in history, with a name that stirs thoughts of the Civil War and attracts many to study the Battle of Gettysburg, which raged in the area from the 1st to the 3rd of July, 1863. With heritage listings and museums galore, Gettysburg is a…
A journey of Generations
