Where did the term "chuckwagon" come from? Michael Knapp Somers, Montana Some say the term came from Charles (“Chuck”) Goodnight, who supposedly...
Where did the term “chuckwagon” come from?
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Ask The Marshall
Why does Virgil Earp get so little credit as an Old West lawman?
Why does Virgil Earp get so little credit as an Old West lawman, and his brother Wyatt get so much? Stuart Dukes Sittingbourne, Kent, UK Virgil was...
Are tumbleweeds not native to America?
I’ve heard that tumbleweeds are not native to this country. Is that correct? Richard Rodriguez Granton, Wisconsin You’re right on target. The...
What did a cowboy do with his rifle when it was illegal to carry them into towns?
In many Western towns, it was illegal to carry a handgun. But when a cowboy rode in, what did he do with his rifle? Paul Etzler Cedar City, Utah...
Did cowboys really pull pack animals by holding a rope tied to their saddle horn?
I frequently see movie cowboys pulling another horse, mule or other pack animal by holding a rope tied to their saddle horn. Is that accurate? Jay...
When did belt loops become common?
When did belt loops become common? Steve Prescott Watauga, Texas Not all historians agree on the timing. Bob Charnes, owner of Arizona...
How did the Mountain Men cook beaver tails?
How did the Mountain Men cook beaver tails? Vaughn Cosand Flagstaff, Arizona While the main diet of the Mountain Man was meat, it usually wasn’t...
Why do we have so few photos of Tombstone from the Fly studio?
Why do we have so few photos of Tombstone from the Fly studio? Supposedly, C.S. Fly and his wife took thousands of shots during their time in...
Why do cowboys always mount the horse from the left side?
Why do cowboys always mount the horse from the left side? Oscar Trusty Alexandria, Louisiana The custom of mounting a horse from the left side dates...
Do you know anything about lawman Commodore Perry Owens and his missing loot?
Do you know anything about lawman Commodore Perry Owens and his missing loot? I read about it in a 1978 issue of Lost Treasure magazine. Darin Lee...
In many Westerns, the women have long hair or long hair pulled back in a bun.
In many Westerns, the women have long hair or long hair pulled back in a bun. Was that the fashion of the day? Sydna Lefebvre Tacoma, Washington...
I’ve been watching the miniseries Comanche Moon.
I’ve been watching the miniseries Comanche Moon, which features an Indian attack on a town. Did that ever really happen? John Redshaw, True West...