Johnny Fry (upper right in photo) was just 19 when he won a horse race in Missouri in 1860—and got a job. For Alexander Majors watched that race and...
The First Rider
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Articles
Pullin’ Legs Attached to Tenderfeet
Exaggeratin' and prevaricatin’ has long been a cherished right in the West and correctin' a liar is considered impolite. For example, anyone who's...
Kansas’s Highways of History
America’s West, in the early 1800s, ended at the Missouri River. Men knew there was another West—farther west—but venturing there proved...
Rocky Mountain Gold
Most of us know of California’s Gold Rush and the forty-niners, but fewer realize the great wealth that began a decade later with the discovery of...
Rattlesnakes
It’s the time of year when rattlesnakes are coming out of their dens after a long winter siesta. This time of the year they’re more likely to be out...
Kevin Costner
Back in 1989, when Life Magazine asked Hollywood legends like James Stewart, Bette Davis and Olivia DeHavilland to pick their favorite young stars...
Pioneer Women
There’s an old folk song titled, “The Waggoner’s Lad” and the first lines were, “Hard luck is the fortune of all womenkind. They’re always...
How Often were Wagon Trains Attacked by Indians?
How often were wagon trains attacked by Indians? Larry Runge Falcon, Missouri It’s hard to give a precise number because records are sparse....
The Legendary Maney Gault
Frank Hammer’s best friend and partner in tracking down Bonnie & Clyde should be remembered as one of the greatest Texas Rangers.
The Birth of Belle Fourche
Seth Bullock and Sol Star are directly responsible for the town of Belle Fourche, SD. The pair owned the land in the 1880s. They offered a right of...
How Did Men and Women Keep Their Hats on When Riding Fast or in High Wind?
How did men and women keep their hats on when riding fast or in high wind? Kenneth Williams Deer Park, Texas Those wide-brimmed hats could be...
The Star of Deadwood
Although Seth Bullock gets a lot of notoriety when it comes to Deadwood, his partner Sol Star actually was more prominent at the time. The...