Katherine Ross already had a substantial Hollywood career when she starred as Etta Place in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” In fact, she’d...
Targeting Equality
One hundred and 50 years ago, radical Republicans led the charge to create opportunities for blacks when, for the first time, they opened the ranks...
General Order No. 11
Union General Order 11—issued in August 1863--commanded that four counties in northwest Missouri be cleared of all Confederates and their supporters...
Charlie Parkhurst
Nineteenth century stagecoach drivers were called “whips” in recognition of their skills handling “six ribbons” or handling six lead lines on six...
Hi Jolly
Hadji Ali reportedly hailed from Syria and arrived in Texas in 1856 to escort a shipment of camels for use by the U.S. Army. In 1857, leaving from...
Redford’s Summer Surprise
A documentary series on our nation’s frontier history airs this summer and, yes, it too focuses on legendary characters Jesse James, Billy the Kid,...
Custer’s Cheyenne Lover
One of the big questions about George Armstrong Custer: did he have a Cheyenne mistress who bore him at least one son? It’s hard to be sure, but...
The Peacemaker
"The Lord made some men big and some men small, but Sam Colt made all men the same size." -unknown The instrument that accounted for the widespread...
Killin’ Jim Miller
A walking contradiction, Miller is also known as Deacon Jim Miller because he was an impeccable dresser, didn’t drink or smoke, was a...
Wyatt on the Phone: “Can You Hear Me Now?”
In 1926, Wyatt Earp wrote his autobiography with a friend, John Flood. In it Earp recalled using a telephone in Tombstone (taking a call from...
Buffalo Soldier Grub
Buffalo soldiers, officially organized in 1866, were an important part of settling the West. They served in various all-black regiments. Benjamin...
Following Elfego Baca
Who is New Mexico’s most famous lawman? Don Bullis says it depends on whom you ask. Put that question to an Anglo, and—no surprise—the common answer...