Those stories are my bread and butter': Author Bryan Jones shares tales from the Sandhills in 'North of the Platte, South of the Niobrara'

Author Bryan L. Jones found some surprising customers for his book, “North of the Platte, South of the Niobrara.” “For some reason we’ve sold a ton of books in Tennessee, North Carolina and California,” he said from his home in central Colorado. “That’s something I didn’t anticipate. A lot of these people have good stories of their connection to the Sandhills. One of the guys that just bought a book is an optometrist in Tennessee. He’s related to the Kicken family. Young Jules Sandoz married a Kicken.” Sandhills author Mari Sandoz wrote about her father in the nonfiction book, “Old Jules,” published in 1935. The book detailed her father’s struggles as a pioneer in western Nebraska. “It’s those little threads that lead everywhere,” Jones said of the connections to his readers. “I’m thoroughly enjoying the stories that I’m hearing.” The book features stories told by residents of the Sandhills — ranchers, schoolteachers, bull riders, veterans, historians, scientists and poets...MORE