Phil Terrana

The Life, Times & Adventures of Hoag Franklin Phil Terrana

A discovery in an antique store uncovers the untold story of a man who did just about everything a man could do in the old west. He fought and worked alongside some of the greatest heroes of that era, as well as the many men and women who, like himself, never became famous. He fought the Indians, most notably in the Mariposa Wars during the California gold rush and as a scout for countless wagon trains, but he was also a friend to many and whenever possible, worked to ease tensions as America continued on its westward expansion. Wagon trains played a vital role in opening up the west to thousands of Americans. Hoag Franklin scouted for his first train in 1848, and continuing to do so for the next several decades. As the buffalo died off, the Indian Wars died down and towns and cities rose up where before only trees and prairie grass existed, life west of the Mississippi, in what had been Mexican territory began to change. These same changes were reflected in Hoag Franklin's life, in ways he never could have imagined, as a young boy growing up in Lone Tree, Nebraska. By the time he settled down in San Pedro to write his memoirs, Hoag and America had seen railroads replace wagon trains, automobiles replace horses and Vaudeville replace saloons and dance halls. Hoag's story is America's story-one of perseverance against sometimes overwhelming odds, as well as a belief that that unknown down the road, or around the bend, is more than the next adventure; it is an opportunity that is always worth the risk.