Frank Greerson and Gregory Young have been discharged from the Army and are headed to their childhood homes. They both defied their parents in 1861 when they joined the Army. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union of the United States of America, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Once they find their claim, they encounter common obstacles to life on the Kansas Prairie in 1866: Native Americans, tornadoes, wild animals, and weather.<br><br>When a prairie fire destroys their crops and takes their neighbor’s lives, Frank and Gregory are instructed to find their young son’s aunt. Faced with leaving a destroyed claim, the railroad coming through their land, and dwindling funds, Frank and Gregory must decide whether to leave the place they have worked hard to make their own or fulfill their friends' dying wishes.

A Place to Call Their Own

After they finished repairing the physical damage done by Bernard, they decided to take the day off and recharge. Even though they had the river at their disposal, they rarely relaxed in it. The water was cool and refreshing in the warm, humid summer day as they determined their next steps. Except for being so hot and sticky, it reminded Gregory of that first bath they took when they arrived at the claim three years before. That’s when he resolved not to let their work go in vain.


“I think we need to go to Oswego and see if we can figure out where the nearest land office is to get the claims filed,” Greg said as they prepared to head back home.


“Even after we do that, it’ll be another year before we can get the deeds,” Frank said somberly.


“That’s why we need to get the claims recorded. If we don’t at least get that done, everything we’ve been working for will be for nothing and the railroad will come right through here.”


Chapter 49