This book was a take off from Frankie and the Baron. There are thoughts that it may have been somewhat autobiographical. It is a very good book about the lumber baron's in Saginaw in the 1800's. It is his last book. He died at the time it was going to print. Gross was the editor of the Saginaw News for 36 years. He also has a video that can be obtained from Zauel Library of him talking about Saginaw History at the Historical Society. Jan Johnson is the illustrator of THE SAGINAWS: When Timber Was King. It can be purchased through Amazon.com or Delta College. Sam Carter did own the Carter Shop. A person who has lots of his prints is the florist from Whitney Flowers on Michigan Ave in Saginaw. I have done some paintings and drawings of the Saginaw area also. Jan