You're listening to American Shadows, a production of I Heart Radio and Grimm & Mild

from Aaron Manky.

Some thought he was restless, others said he was lazy.

Whatever the case, Lyman Balm saw life differently.

And though he dreamed of becoming an author, he needed to earn a living.

In 1888, he and his wife moved from New York to the wild prairies and Dakota territory

to be closer to her family.

He popped from one idea to another in an attempt to chase down his fortune.

He bred chickens, tried acting, and eventually opened another business.

He called it Balm's Bazaar, selling novelties made by Native Americans and Glassware imported

from Japan.

He trusted his customers and his generous store credits soon bankrupted him.

He tried again, abying the Aberdeen Saturday Pioneer.

Unable to afford help, he acted as the editor and writer.

He often wrote articles on why Native Americans should be exterminated.

He took up photography and captured images of the stark and isolated landscape, though

his favorite subjects were tornadoes.

And in his spare time, he finally took to writing a novel, setting it in Kansas.

The Twisters and Bleak Dakota landscape featured prominently in his novel, first published

in 1900.

The wonderful Wizard of Oz sold 10,000 copies.

People loved Dorothy's story and her struggle to find a better place.

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