Deadwood has always attracted big names. In 1874, even before the town’s creation, George Armstrong Custer and his comma…
Inside History
Jack Swilling’s Arizona Adventures: Part I
Jack Swilling is a name that goes almost unrecognized by Arizonans today. Much of what is known about him comes from tal…
A Cochise-led Apache Ambush
It was July 15, 1862, and Union Captain Thomas Roberts led a column of volunteers into Apache Pass in southeast Arizona.…
Marshal Tom “Bear River” Preferred Fists to Guns
Abilene, Kansas Marshal Tom “Bear River” Smith gained a reputation for using fists instead of guns. According to one st…
Did Old West Gunmen Wear Armor?
Did Old West gunmen wear armor? Jeff Mock — Sandy, Utah. Two men come to mind. “Killin’” Jim Miller wore an iron plate s…
The Serendipitous Birth of Blue Jeans
Just after the Civil War, merchant Levi Strauss had an overstock of canvas and didn’t know exactly what to do with the m…
From Blood Brother to Broken Arrow Searching for the real Tom Jeffords.
Tom Jeffords leans on the bar of a saloon in Mesilla, New Mexico Territory, whiskey in one hand and a woman on the other…
The True Roots History of the Kansas Jayhawks
In 1859 the Jayhawks stood for the fighting spirit associated with efforts to keep Kansas a free state. Today they stand…
Restaurateur Ike Clanton He made his mark on Tombstone beyond the O.K. Corral gunfight.
Some people may be shocked to learn that Joseph Isaac “Ike” Clanton, who earned notoriety as an anti-Earp man in the 188…
Chunk Colbert’s Deadly Grudge
Chunk Colbert tried to take on the wrong man in Clay Allison. On January 7, 1874 the two men sat down for a friendly mea…