“No man in the wrong,” legendary Texas Ranger Capt. W.D. (Bill) McDonald famously declared early in the 20th century, “can stand up against a man in...
Life and Death of a Valiant Texas Ranger
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Articles
The 1857 Bonneville expedition against the Apache reportedly carried 700 gallons of vinegar. Why?
The 1857 Bonneville expedition against the Apache reportedly carried 700 gallons of vinegar. Why? Sid Miller Dripping Springs, Texas During the age...
In The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Lee Van Cleef (the Bad) is missing part of a finger. What happened to it? Also, did Eli Wallach play the Ugly? I have been told Van Cleef did.
In The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Lee Van Cleef (the Bad) is missing part of a finger. What happened to it? Also, did Eli Wallach play the Ugly? I...
What was the cost of the westward wagon trains?
What was the cost of the westward wagon trains? Don Anderson Phoenix, Arizona The overland journey from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon or...
The book True Grit states Rooster Cogburn died from “night hoss.” What does that mean?
The book True Grit states Rooster Cogburn died from “night hoss.” What does that mean? Duff Hale Midlothian, Texas Night hoss usually referred to a...
The West’s Forgotten Scout
“Comanche Jack” Stilwell is a name little remembered today, but an 1868 battle made him well known in his lifetime. The Beecher Island affair was so...
Cord McCoy
Riding a bull requires practice, practice, practice! Hard to hit a 90 mph fast ball ’til you have swung a million times. What most don’t know...
Rough Drafts 4/15
Fans of Western publishing enjoyed a banner year in books in 2014. In 2015, I am convinced that fans of the Old West will find their bookshelves...
Who was the first white woman to scale Pikes Peak?
Who was the first white woman to scale Pikes Peak? Frank Polzin Colorado Springs, Colorado Julia Holmes is given the credit for that 1858 feat. Born...
Did Wild Bill Hickok really have the Dead Man’s Hand of aces and eights when he was killed?
Did Wild Bill Hickok really have the Dead Man’s Hand of aces and eights when he was killed? John Wendland Parsippany, New Jersey Nobody knows what...
What did outlaws like Frank and Jesse James do with all the loot they stole?
What did outlaws like Frank and Jesse James do with all the loot they stole? Mack Maloney Newbury, Massachusetts One thing they didn’t do—share the...
Vanishing Train Robbers
On the evening of April 27th, 1887 southern Arizona’s only passenger train, the Sunset Express, was making its run toward Tucson when a man stepped...