Somebody with a sense of humor, with more than a touch of irony, must have nicknamed John Morco “Happy Jack.” Happy? Accounts record him as an...
Happy’s Not-So-Happy Blunder
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true west blog
Judge Roy Bean
You know the story of Roy Bean—the man who came to prominence (of sorts) in his late 50s when he moved to an area west of the Pecos in Texas. He...
Pearl Hart, Highwaywoman
In 1898, Pearl Hart was either a cook or a soiled dove (depending on who you believe) in Mammoth Arizona. When the mine closed (or, she got word her...
Breech-loading Rifles
Among the first breech-loading rifles was one invented by Major Patrick Ferguson, an officer in Washington's Revolutionary Army. It was one of the...
John King Fisher
John King Fisher is not as famous as some of his contemporaries but all agree he was a good man with a gun. He was arrested for stealing a horse at...
Lyne “Tol” Barret
Lyne “Tol” Barret had a novel idea for getting rich. In late 1865, he and some friends formed the Melrose Petroleum Oil Company, the first such...
Gun Smoke and Black Powder
Reading the pulp westerns one would conclude that the Colt revolver was the only pistol used in the Old West. Remington built a fine six-shooter and...
Arizona Rides Tall in the Saddle
From the days of the dime novels to the cowboys of the silver screen, Arizona has been the setting for numerous classic Western stories and films....
Graham’s Failed Escape
Tom Graham thought he’d gotten away from the death and destruction of Arizona’s Pleasant Valley War. He moved to Tempe to live in peace—or so he...
The Trapper’s Clothing
The trapper’s clothes were homemade and usually made from durable buckskin. During meals he rubbed his greasy hands over his leathers, something in...
He Died in Style
Marion Hedgepeth was a train robber and outlaw with style. “The Debonair Bandit” usually wore a suit, cravat, bowler hat and had neatly polished...
The Arizona Rangers vs. Criminals
Arizona has had three different Arizona Ranger law enforcement groups. The first Ranger group was created in 1860, the second in 1882 and the third...