I’ve seen cowboy movies from the 1950s where the actor said he had to shoot his horse because it ate locoweed. What exactly is locoweed? Were they...
What Exactly is Locoweed?
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Ask the Marshall
How did Settlers and Cowboys Calculate Miles?
How did settlers and cowboys calculate miles? Jason Bledsoe Felton, Delaware Trail riding cowboys had no way to calculate the miles—but the “cookie”...
How Accurate was the Language in the 2010 Version of True Grit?
How accurate was the language in the 2010 version of True Grit? Scott Bachtold Hudson, Illinois You’re probably referring to the fact that many of...
Did Ballistics Forensics Ever Come into Play in Solving Crimes in the Old West?
Did ballistics forensics ever come into play in solving crimes in the Old West? David Aufiere Columbia, Louisiana Ballistics science has been around...
Was Doc Holliday Really a Deadly Dentist?
More than one writer has called Doc a "deadly dentist" who killed several men during his turbulent life. Most likely Doc encouraged these stories...
Did Frontier Soldiers go through Boot Camp?
Did frontier soldiers go through boot camp? Bill Haines Nashville, Tennessee Jefferson Barracks, south of St. Louis, Missouri, was established July...
Who Repaired the Telegraph Lines if They Were Down and How Long Did it Take to Fix Them?
Who repaired the telegraph lines if they were down and how long did it take to fix them? Vance Rowe Gloversville, New York Western Union had crews...
How Often were Wagon Trains Attacked by Indians?
How often were wagon trains attacked by Indians? Larry Runge Falcon, Missouri It’s hard to give a precise number because records are sparse....
How Did Men and Women Keep Their Hats on When Riding Fast or in High Wind?
How did men and women keep their hats on when riding fast or in high wind? Kenneth Williams Deer Park, Texas Those wide-brimmed hats could be...
Wranglers are Seldom Shown or Mentioned in Westerns. Did the Cowboys Take Turns at that or was it a Full-time Job during a Cattle Drive?
Wranglers are seldom shown or mentioned in Westerns. Did the cowboys take turns at that or was it a full-time job during a cattle drive? Bill...
I Found a Portrait of my Great-Great Grandfather Holding a Cocked Revolver, circa 1870s. Was That Common?
I found a portrait of my great-great grandfather holding a cocked revolver, circa 1870s. Was that common? Renae Sexton Apache, Oklahoma Your...
Who Shot Joseph Heywood?
In the September 2018 issue of True West, the excellent article on the James-Younger Gang’s attempt to rob the Northfield, Minnesota, bank doesn’t...