Copyright @ 2015 by Richmond ArtAll rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Richmond Art, 1007 North Ninth Street, Indianola, Iowa 50125.First published 2015 by Richmond ArtPrinted in ChinaLibrary of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication DataDavid Richmond, PhotographerMichael Adams, AuthorPrairie Jewels, Iowa Courthouses, images and historic written information.Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8014-5314-7 (cloth : alk. Paper)

From Abronia to Zinnia, Jewels of the Plains describes the natural history and garden merits of more than five hundred Great Plains wildflowers. Considered the authoritative guide by native plant enthusiasts and horticulturists, it captures the unique beauty, resilience, and variety of wildflowers in the Great Plains. Claude A. Barr did not set out to be a writer. In 1910, he homesteaded 160 acres of prairie in the southwest corner of South Dakota, intending to become a farmer. Despite challenging conditions, Barr fell in love with the land and its native flora. He began contributing profiles of plains wildflowers to gardening magazines, which precipitated requests for seed and led him to start a mail-order nursery, Prairie Gem Ranch. What began as a Depression-era sideline eventually gained a worldwide clientele, and Barr became a respected ambassador for the wildflowers of this part of the American landscape. Decades of observing plants in the wild and growing them for his nursery, as well as careful study of scientific sources, gave Barr unequaled knowledge that culminated in this acclaimed book. Wonderfully written and deeply researched, Jewels of the Plains is more than a field guide or how-to manual. It’s a pioneering text on native plant horticulture that details plant life on the prairie in the voice of one with intimate familiarity with the subject. Each description reads like a mini nature essay, giving insight into both the plants and Barr’s engaging personality. Edited to incorporate new scientific information, this edition includes an Introduction and supplemental notes by botanist and horticulturalist James H. Locklear. He places Barr’s remarkable life and work in historic and scientific context, illuminating his accomplishments from a fresh perspective.

This classic history of crime tells how Chicago's underworld earned and kept its reputation.

This book will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of north-central Kansas or seeking family history information about past residents of Jewell County. It is the culmination of an extensive effort to collect and organize historical information from county records, historical writings, newspaper articles, family documents, and interviews with residents and former residents. Personal memories and family stories enliven the factual public records. Many photographs are included of the buildings, people, and activities of the times. This type of historical information is rapidly being lost and will be increasingly valuable in future decades. Proceeds from the sale of this book go the Jewell County Historical Society, which is a non-profit historical organization.

This charming, coming-of-age story is perfect for fans of Joan Bauer and Sheila Turnage. Prairie Evers is finding that school isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. She’s always been homeschooled by her grandmother, learning about life while they ramble through the woods. But now Prairie’s family has moved north and she has to attend school for the first time, where her education is in a classroom and the behavior of her classmates isn’t very nice. The only good thing is meeting Ivy, her first true friend. Prairie wants to be a good friend, even though she can be clueless at times. But when Ivy’s world is about to fall apart and she needs a friend most, Prairie is right there for her, corralling all her optimism and determination to hatch a plan to help. Wonderful writing and an engaging narrator distinguish this lively story that celebrates friendship of every kind.