One of the great myths: Lew Wallace spent most of his time as New Mexico territorial governor writing his epic novel Ben-Hur.  And as a result,...

Thomas Fitch was a man of many talents.He wrote for several newspapers and edited a young Mark Twain in Nevada. He was a politician, serving in the...

David Crockett tried to live down the reputation of his kinsman and namesake of Alamo fame. This Crockett was in a Cimarron, NM bar—very drunk—when...

Mexican Revolution leader Pancho Villa knew the value of good publicity. Mutual Film Corporation knew the potential profits of silver screen war. So...

Most Old West badmen had mentors that led them to the dark side.  For famed outlaw Sam Bass (see photo), that man was Henry Underwood. A fellow...

Bill Longley, cold-blooded killer of many men, had a brutal end.  On October 11, 1878 he was hanged for murder in Giddings, TX. But the executioners...

It seems a bit strange that two of the baddest guys of the Old West were preacher’s kids. Jesse James’ father was a well-known Baptist minister in...

Tiburcio Vasquez was—and is—regarded as a freedom fighter to at least some folks.  But his own people ultimately turned on the California...