The Iron Christmas Tree

About the Book

 The Iron Christmas Tree is an accurate, historical novel, blending fact and fiction.

The protagonist, Scott MacKellar, worked with his father, the cook for a track laying crew, forging its way through Indian Territory to Tulsa Oklahoma. His father was killed and Scott took over the chores and became the cook. The track laying crew was composed of Irishmen, Italians, Chinese, Frenchmen, and Germans. Scott learned cooking skills from each and refined them so that in Tulsa he went to work at an elite whore house.

As chef at Sandgate, the whore house, he met the executives of Farrell Oil. Scott was fascinated with the prospects of the emerging oil industry and went to work for Farrell as a roustabout and worked his way to become the manager. He was sent to Kill Devil Hill with the Wright Bothers - if air travel was a future prospect, it would have a great bearing on the oil industry.

He attended the 1904 Worlds  Fair in St. Louis with his bride, Teeawah, a Sauk-Fox Indian. He enlisted in the British Forces in WWI and transferred to the American forces when they entered the war. He was involved in the insanity of that conflict and returned to Tulsa a decorated hero. With his savings, he wildcatted in Texas. The gushers he found in Oklahoma were Farrell’s. The dry holes in found in Texas were his.

In 1923 Farrell’s president summoned him to New York where he was offered the position of general manager of their leases in Eastern Mexico. Their problems were at a point where they considered giving up their investment. The banditos were stealing the  payrolls as they’re moved from Tampico to the oil fields. The Federalists were stealing the payrolls from the banditos and it was taking seven or eight payrolls to get one through, destroying  their  profits.  The routes, historically, became known as ‘Blood Alley’. Unless Scott can solve the problem Farrell will be forced to give up the leases.

Each woman in Scott’s life is unique. Hermione; the madam of Sandgate; Amanda, a southern tease; Nicole, a beautiful young widow; Teeawah, his wife.

About the Author

Mr. Schwartz’ writing credits include three published books; The Silent Sin, 1970, The President’s Contract, 1972 and Tulsa Gold, 1982. He also wrote for TV, from 1960 to 1990, earning over 500 credits in half hour situation comedies, hour drama and two hour movies. He lives in Palm Springs, Ca.