If Vera McGinnis’ love story were a Country Western song, it would go something like this: “He dragged her heart around that ring, that handsome...

A Pineapple-Coconut Pie Kind of Guy
Since third grade, Johnny Boggs has been making up stories. Of course for True West, he sticks to the facts. And as regular readers already know, he...

Beating Out the Pilgrims
"El Paso, not Plymouth, held the first Thanksgiving,” declared Peggy Boone of the El Paso, Texas, CVB. “In 1598, the 500 settlers led by Don Juan de...

Following Cherokee Tracks
I first saw the Cherokee Trail when I was a little girl. One branch of it crossed my family’s ranch near Encampment, Wyoming, and when we were at...

Truth Failed To Hide In A Tin
When his hired hand stomped off in a huff that chilled November day in 1895, foreman Jim Potts knew it would be up to him to take care of his band...

The Bell Tolls For Bell
By dying from Billy the Kid’s hands on April 28, 1881, Deputy Sheriffs James W. Bell and Robert Olinger stoked Billy’s legend to a white hot flame....

From Shovels to DNA
You could hear the two shots all over Lincoln, New Mexico: noon, April 28. The date is historic: on that day in 1881, history tells us Billy the Kid...

Judgment at Jacksboro
Throngs of people descended upon Jacksboro, Texas, on a hot summer day in 1871 to witness a murder trial. Murders were commonplace in reconstruction...

Vera McGinns
She hardly even tried to describe the pain, but of course, how could she? What words are there to recount a ton of horseflesh landing on your tiny...
When was the first train robbery in America?
When was the first train robbery in America? John Martinez Tucson, Arizona About a dozen members of the Reno Gang—headed up by brothers John,...
Are there any books or articles that examine the “shootist” personality? Was Clay Allison bipolar, schizophrenic, antisocial or some combination of psychoses? Or was he just overly sensitive?
Are there any books or articles that examine the “shootist” personality? Was Clay Allison bipolar, schizophrenic, antisocial or some combination...
In the April 2003 True West, the Blazer’s Mill shoot-out claimed to have 13 Regulators, however the list gives only 12 names. Who was the 13th man? Also, I’m familiar with all the names on the list except for “Dirty Steve” Stephens. Can you tell me anythi
In the April 2003 True West, the Blazer’s Mill shoot-out claimed to have 13 Regulators, however the list gives only 12 names. Who was the 13th...