The Thirty-Ninth Man

Literature & Fiction

synopsis

Synopsis

The Thirty-ninth Man is a historical novel culminating with the Dakota War of 1862 and the mass execution of thirty-eight men. History tells us little of the thirty-ninth man sentenced to die with the others, and he is largely ignored in all accounts of the executions. This novel by D. A. Swanson weaves fictional events around historical facts creating a tapestry filled with accurate depictions of people from Minnesota’s past. Men like Lawrence Taliaferro, Josiah Snelling, Henry Sibley, Little Crow, Wabasha and a host of others share the stage with the protagonist, Anton McAllister, and the thirty-ninth man, Tatemina—Round Wind. On August 19, 1825, in a place called Prairie du Chien, Michigan Territory, under the guise of concern but wrapped in a cloak of deceit, the federal government began a series of treaties with the Sioux Nation that would lead to the outbreak of the Sioux Wars, and the end of a way of life. In 1862 with the beginnings of the Sioux Wars in the Minnesota River Valley, a mixed-blood named Anton McAllister balances on the razor-thin line separating corrupt Indian agents, unscrupulous fur traders, the U.S. Army, and powerful chiefs from the Chippewa and Dakota nations. When his best friend is falsely accused of war crimes and sentenced to die, Anton finds himself in a race to save his friend from the gallows. The story begins in 1804 and concludes on December 26, 1862.

bio

Author Biography

SIGNED COPIES OF SWANSON'S BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ONLY AT, http://www.dale-swanson.com Swanson grew up in Mound, Minnesota. He is a published author, screenwriter, playwright, and poet. His poems have been performed in stage productions and appear in multiple anthologies. Two of his radio plays were recorded live and aired statewide in Minnesota. His historical novel, THE THIRTY-NINTH MAN, published by North Star Press, was released in June of 2013 and was listed in the Minneapolis Star Tribune reader survey for the best book read in 2013. In 2015 his middle-grade fantasy novella, The Wild Ways–Mystery of the Hanging Tower, was released. His screenplay developed for Native Strong-ARC debuted in July 2017, and his newly published, TEARS OF SORROW – A FREE NATION LOST, was released June 2018, Dale’s favorite pastimes include hunting, camping, and canoeing. He has three patents related to archery. He's bow hunted the big timber from California to New Hampshire and the croplands between; he's paddled the Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe Area–BWCA, Michigan's Manistee River, and New Hampshire's Merrimac; snorkeled in the Sea of Marmara, tracked satellites in Madagascar, and he can start a campfire after five days of steady rain.

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Author Insight

Background

I set out to write a book of fiction—until—I read Lawrence Taliaferro's autobiography. Lawrence was the first Indian agent appointed to the Northwest Frontier. I decided that the story I was to write would be based on factual information while my fictional characters were weaving their way through those historically accurate moments. The deeper I dug, the more facts I uncovered that pointed to governmental intent to defraud and tip the scale to the detriment of the Indian Nations. I made a conscious effort to remain unbiased, although it may not appear that way. The facts told the story, the individuals on both sides lived their lives, some with good and noble intent, some with lies and deceit.

Book Excerpt

The Thirty-Ninth Man

This is the story of a great injustice and a handful of men and women who played a part.

At 10 a.m. on December 26, 1862, thirty-eight men were hanged in the largest mass execution in the history of the United States. It was said “three drumbeats signaled the moment of execution; a single ax stroke plummeted all through the gallows, the crowd cheered; bodies were buried in a single grave on the edge of town.”

Thirty-nine were sentenced—thirty-eight died—one was pardoned at the last minute.

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Dale A Swanson

The Thirty-Ninth Man

Synopsis

Author Biography

Author Insight

Background

Book Excerpt

The Thirty-Ninth Man

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