William J. Burns proved a worth competitor to the Pinkertons...for a time. For a few years in the early 20th century, the William J. Burns...
America’s Sherlock Holmes
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Inside History
Ambush!
The courage of a lawman led to his untimely death. Texas Ranger Captain Frank Jones had guts—nobody questioned that. He had fought outlaws...
A Grave Concern
About that pipe that marks the last resting place of the Daltons… Visitors to the Elmwood Cemetery in Coffeyville, Kansas, are generally looking for...
A Plague Upon Your House!
A 1900 epidemic foreshadowed modern issues. Stop us if you’ve heard this one before. An epidemic rears its ugly head. Federal and state officials...
The Lone Star Myth of John Ringo
His time in Texas was not what it’s been cracked up to be. In August 19, 1875, a rider—or maybe riders—approached the Bader ranch in Mason County,...
Earp Versus Breakenridge
The feud continued long after the two had left Tombstone. Wyatt Earp. William “Billy” Breakenridge. They were certainly on opposite sides during the...
Fred Harvey and his Harvey Houses
Before the days of railroad dining cars, passengers were forced to eat in the local hash houses wherever the train happened to stop. The food was...
The Donner Business
Where did the wagon train party fall short? Back when I was in high school, a group of us loved to go winter camping out in the middle of nowhere....
Remembering Juanita Garrett
A new marker honors the first wife of an Old West legend. Juanita Martinez had an all-too-short life and the briefest of brushes with fame. She’s...
He Missed the Scoop
John Clum was busy when the Tombstone street fight took place. It’s entirely possible to get so engrossed in a task that one misses a big...
Great Danger Rests on the Town! God Save Us!
A doctor and pastor found little healing during the Lincoln County War. It must have seemed like a simple assignment—providing medical care...
Remember…Velasco?
The 1832 battle set the stage for the Texas Revolution. The names are spoken with reverence in Texas: The Alamo. Goliad. San Jacinto. The great...