King Fisher and Ben Thompson make a fatal mistake. March 11, 1884. Gunmen Ben Thompson and King Fisher make a huge mistake. A day of drinking in...
Should Have Tried Another Bar
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Mark Boardman
Villa’s Raid on New Mexico
The U.S. gets pulled into the Revolution. March 9, 1916. Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa and his Division of the North attack Columbus, NM. Eight...
A Talk for the Ages
The interview that made Wild Bill famous. In September 1865, Col. George Ward Nichols was in Springfield, MO—it’s not clear why. But he took the...
End of the Line for Handsome Jack
The Wichita hotel owner goes up against an army squad. February 28, 1871. A posse of soldiers led by Deputy U.S. Marshal Jack Bridges (photo) enters...
Death of a Lawman
How Pat Garrett met his end. Feb. 29, 1908. Pat Garrett is gunned down on the road outside Las Cruces, NM. Wayne Brazel admits to the shooting but...
Remember the Alamo!
A hallowed day in Texas history. March 6, 1836. A Mexican force of about 1500 men overruns The Alamo Mission in San Antonio. About 200 Texians are...
The Sweet Science on the Sandbar
An illegal boxing match finds a home in the middle of the Rio Grande. February 21, 1896. Peter Maher takes on Bob Fitzsimmons in a heavyweight...
The Earp Brothers and Brothels
Morgan and Wyatt work the bawdy houses in Peoria. February 24, 1872. Brothers Wyatt and Morgan Earp are arrested in Jane Haspel's brothel in Peoria,...
Riding the Storm Out
Luke Short makes quick work of a fellow gambler. February 25, 1881. About noon, gambler Charley Storms accosts faro dealer Luke Short (photo) on...
The Youngest Younger Goes Bad
John Younger kills a lawman in Texas. February 16, 1871. Nineteen-year-old John Younger crosses the line. The day before, he and some pals--all...
The Fuse is Lit
The killing that sparked the Lincoln County War. February 18, 1878. Rancher/merchant/banker John Tunstall (photo) is driving several horses from his...
First, Kill the Lawyers
The death of Lincoln County attorney Huston Chapman. February 18-19, 1879. The two sides in the Lincoln County War have a peace conference to end...