She Beat That Goose to Death - Stories of Nan Patton

Following in the footsteps of her famous grandmother, Nan Patton was a storyteller extraordinaire. From "The Day the Museum Got Robbed" to "The Meanest Cop in Dallas," here are Nan Patton's mostly true tales of Texas, presented in an amusing way that was uniquely hers.

Nan Patton spent the last decade of her life at the Stillwell Store and RV Park, next to Hallie's Hall of Fame, just outside Big Bend National Park. To the tourists, campers, and locals there, she was known for her big smile, welcoming spirit, cheerful demeanor, and entertaining storytelling ability.

Her grandmother, Hallie Stillwell, was a pioneer ranching woman, and was a 1992 inductee in the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. Her two books, "I'll Gather My Geese" and "My Goose Is Cooked," regaled readers with tales of her West Texas ranching days.

A spunky Stillwell descendant, Nan tells her own stories, living the life she loved on the family ranch. She brings humor and wit to the ups and downs of her life.

Nan passed away in 2012, before she could finish her book. Ann Whitford fulfilled a promise made and finished the book for her. She was assisted by the many friends and family who knew and loved Nan. They contributed photos, memories, and more stories about her. This compilation portrays a life well-lived.

Personal and engaging, this entertaining book adds another biography to the collection of the many characters from the Big Bend area.