John Brown and company massacre settlers over slavery. May 24-25, 1856. Using swords, Brown and a band of abolitionist settlers killed five...
To the Hilt
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Mark Boardman
Switching Sides
Dave Rudabaugh—outlaw turned informant. Dave Rudabaugh's gang attempted their first train robbery, on January 22, 1878 near Kinsley, Kansas. The...
Trailing Dave Rudabaugh
Wyatt Earp hits the trail to track the outlaw. In October 1876, Dave Rudabaugh robbed a Santa Fe Railroad construction camp and fled south. Wyatt...
Get the Heck Into Dodge
Wyatt Earp puts on a badge in the cow-town. May 19, 1876 (or thereabouts). Wyatt Earp is appointed deputy marshal of Dodge City, Kansas. Over the...
The Corroded Badge
A crooked lawman in New Mexico. Eugenio Alarid was a lawman in Las Vegas, New Mexico in the 1890s. But hidden behind the badge was an outlaw; Alarid...
The Tragedy of Mussel Slough
Railroads versus settlers was a deadly combination. On May 11, 1880, a dispute between settlers and the railroads in central California turns...
The Payback
A robbery victim almost had to reimburse the stolen money. May 11, 1889. A contingent of Buffalo Soldiers, led by Major Joseph Wham, are attacked...
An Outrage Against the Apache
A white offer to trade was just a trap. In 1837, the American John Johnson invited Apaches in the Pinos Altos area of New Mexico to trade with his...
Captain of All Rangers for Life
Texas Ranger Jim Gillett writes himself into fame. Jim Gillett was just 20 years old when he decided to join the Texas Rangers in...
At the Peak of His Powers
Texas Ranger June Peak helped bring down Sam Bass. Relatively speaking, Junius “June” Peak spent few years in law enforcement. But he accomplished a...
A Fatal Trip
Apache leader Taza didn’t survive a journey to Washington, DC. Chief Taza of the Chiricahua Apache had a strong family foundation. His father was...
A Marriage Scheme
John Clum’s plan to have the government pay for his wedding. John Clum was the successful Indian agent at the San Carlos Reservation in Arizona. His...