True West Blog
Deaths with Dignity

Deaths with Dignity

A Tombstone woman ensured doomed men received some respect. Nellie Cashman made a name for herself in Tombstone, as a successful businesswoman as...

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Sam Houston and the Alamo

Sam Houston and the Alamo

Did Sam Houston ever call the Alamo a death trap? Did he order Jim Bowie to burn it down and to get out of the area? Historian, Bob Palmquist wrote:...

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McClellan Saddles

McClellan Saddles

The McClellan saddle was adopted by the U.S. Cavalry in 1859. It was designed by future general, George McClellan after a tour of Europe where he...

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Healthcare in Old West Prisons

Healthcare in Old West Prisons

Healthcare in Old West prisons varied widely. Some were progressive and some weren’t. Most prisons had some kind of medical facility or infirmary to...

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Do it Yourself

Do it Yourself

Hired assassin Jim Miller (photo) sometimes sublet his killing contracts. In 1896, he sent John Denson and Bill Earhart to kill Barney Riggs, a...

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No Complaints

No Complaints

A Texas cowman had a unique way of dealing with troublesome workers. You just didn’t mess with trail boss Mannen Clements (photo). He was leading a...

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David Crockett and Betsy

David Crockett and Betsy

After the battle at the Alamo, what happened to all of the weapons belonging to the Texians, the rifles, pistols, etc? Did Davy Crockett actually...

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Wild Bill

Wild Bill

Wild Bill Hickok was very likely a good marksman with a handgun, which was something of a rarity on the frontier; he also was supposedly a very...

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How About Those Earp Women

How About Those Earp Women

Were any of the Earp women Prostitutes? Yes, you might say all of them dabble in the trade at one time or another. Allie was a former prostitute, as...

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