The Wild West Extravaganza
True tales from the Old West! Gunfighters, outlaws, lawmen, frontiersmen, and Native Americans – the real people and events that shaped the American frontier.
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Lewis & Clark | Sacagawea & Daniel Boone (Part 2)
03/20/2024
Lewis & Clark | Sacagawea & Daniel Boone (Part 2)
One aspect of the Lewis and Clark expedition that’s often overlooked is that much of their success hinged largely on the good graces of the various Indigenous people on whose land they were crossing. Today, as we follow the expedition up Missouri, we’ll take a look at several such encounters, first with the Oto and Missouri tribes, then Arikara, the Yankton, and finally a near-disastrous confrontation with the Lakota – one that had the potential to significantly alter history as we know it. We’ll also examine the Corp of Discovery’s time among the Mandan, a possible meeting with the legendary Daniel Boone, and introduce a young girl who turned out to be one of the most valuable members of the expedition – a teenage mother known as Sacagawea. By the way, how exactly is her name pronounced? And was she really Shoshone? This is PART 2 in a series on Lewis and Clark - link down below for PART 1! Part 1 in the Lewis & Clark series - Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Hugh Glass - Jim Bridger | Ashley’s 100 - Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose - Journals of Lewis & Clark - Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Lewis & Clark | The Corps of Discovery (Part 1)
03/13/2024
Lewis & Clark | The Corps of Discovery (Part 1)
In the Spring of 1803, the United States acquired the Territory of Louisiana, a largely uncharted tract of wilderness stretching from Canada all the way down to New Orleans, over 800,000 square miles that, as the maps were concerned, remained a mystery. President Thomas Jefferson ordered an expedition to explore Louisiana west to the Pacific Ocean to understand this new purchase better. Tasked with leading this endeavor – officially known as the Corp of Discovery – were Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The Corp of Discovery was to travel some 8,000 miles, navigating their way up the Missouri River before turning west and crossing the Rocky Mountains. If everything went as planned, they’d locate an all-water route linking the Missouri to the Pacific and return to civilization as heroes. Sounds great in theory, but would Lewis and Clark be able to pull it off? Who exactly were Lewis and Clark? What exactly was the Louisiana Purchase? How’d they choose the men who would accompany them on the expedition? What sort of supplies would Lewis and Clark bring on the expedition? Is it true that Lewis and Clark were searching for wooly mammoths? And were they really the first to explore these new lands? Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose - Journals of Lewis & Clark - Explorers Podcast - Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Introducing American Criminal
02/29/2024
Introducing American Criminal
From Airship, the studio behind American Scandal, American History Tellers, and History Daily, comes a new true crime history podcast that takes you inside the minds of some of our most notorious felons and outlaws, exploring the dark side to the American dream. The debut season tackles one of the country’s most sensational cases: The Menendez Murders. In 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez brutally shot their parents. Prosecutors said it was a million dollar inheritance that led two greedy kids to murder. But the picture-perfect facade this family built hid troubling abuse; could these teenagers have been driven to kill, or was it even in self-defense? Episode one is out now! Go to , or search for and follow American Criminal wherever you get your podcasts.
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Claude Dallas | Killer Cowboy
02/15/2024
Claude Dallas | Killer Cowboy
They say Claude Dallas was the last of the Mountain Men; A modern-day cowboy and fur trapper just living life on his terms. A throwback to the Mountain Men like Jim Bridger, Jed Smith, and Kit Carson. The only thing was the authorities just wouldn’t let Dallas be. First, it was the FBI, then the Bureau of Land Management, and finally, a pair of Game Wardens out of Idaho. Dallas had sworn he’d never be arrested again, and sure enough when the smoke cleared, both Game Wardens lay dead on the ground. For over the next year, Claude Dallas was the subject of a nationwide manhunt. He would be captured and sentenced to prison, but he escaped, causing yet another manhunt – this time making it on the FBI’s top 10 most wanted. Believe it or not, Claude Dallas is still alive and free. Considered a hero to many – a living, walking, talking embodiment of the old motto, live free or die. But just how accurate are these sentiments? Is Claude Dallas truly a hero, a good man who refused to be victimized by an oppressive government, or just a criminal turned cold-blooded killer? And where is Claude Dallas now? This episode is dedicated to the memories of William Harlan Pogue, Wilson Conley Elms, and their families. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West https://www.wildwestextra.com/ Email me! https://www.wildwestextra.com/contact/ Give A Boy A Gun by Jack Olsen - Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Black Cowboys
02/07/2024
Black Cowboys
In this collection of true stories from the Old West, we’ll discuss Bass Reeves, one of the first black deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi. We’ll also take a look at the opposite end of the spectrum with Cherokee Bill – the son of a buffalo hunter who became one of the deadliest outlaws of Indian Territory. Finally we’ll celebrate the life and death of Brit Johnson, a former slave who’s quest to retrieve his wife and children from the clutches of captivity would inspire John Wayne’s The Searchers. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Legends and Outlaws | An Old West Marathon
01/31/2024
Legends and Outlaws | An Old West Marathon
In this collection of true stories from the Old West, we’ll discuss George Parrot, aka Big Nose George – a lesser-known outlaw who had a noose around his neck more times than you'd believe. And that’s just half the story! You’ll never guess how this one ends! Afterward, we’ll hop over to El Paso for a legendary showdown between madams Big Alice Abbot and Etta “The Grasshopper” Clark before discussing the legendary gunfight in Newton, Kansas. And don’t forget about legendary Joaquin Murrieta – the supposed inspiration for the likes of Zorro and Batman. Was Murrieta a righteous freedom fighter or simply a charismatic bandit? Then we’ve got Ed Scarborough, a fearless lawman whose biggest enemies turned out to be himself and a rabid skunk. With cross-dressing, shootouts with bicycles, and daring prison escapes, Ed’s story is about as wild as the West gets. Following Scarborough, we’ll delve into the Colorado cannibal Alfred Packer and his eyebrow-raising story of survival. Finally, we’ll pay a visit to Winslow, Arizona, where an armed robbery by down-and-out cowboys resulted in a literal trip to hell, a bloody gunfight, and an Old West Lazarus rising from the dead for one last sip of whiskey! (0:00) Big Nose George (23:10) Alice Abbott & the Battle of the Bordellos (45:04) The Newton Massacre (73:15) Billy the Kid's Brother (88:12) The Bandit Joaquin Murrieta (144:48) Arizona Ranger Ed Scarborough (157:25) Colorado Cannibal Alfred Packer (212:04) The Devil's Canyon Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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John Wesley Hardin's Final Stand (Part 4)
01/24/2024
John Wesley Hardin's Final Stand (Part 4)
John Wesley Hardin killed his first man at the age of 15, and for the next decade, he would continue to kill. The exact number of victims is unknown, but it’s estimated that anywhere from twenty to forty men fell before Hardin’s guns, making him one of the deadliest shootists of the Old West. Then, at the age of 25, Hardin went to prison. After numerous attempts at escape and several lashings, Wes finally settled down and became a model inmate. And, upon his eventual release, Hardin truly seemed to be a changed man. Believe it or not, he would even receive a license to practice law and begin working as an attorney. But how long would this last? Would Hardin continue to walk the straight and narrow in the rowdy border town of El Paso, or would he return to his old vices? And what about those rumors of indiscretions in prison? Also discussed are John Selman Sr., Jeff Milton, Deputy George Scarborough, Deacon Jim Miller, and Reconstruction Texas. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! John Wesley Hardin | First Blood (Part 1) - John Wesley Hardin vs Wild Bill Hickok (Part 2) - John Wesley Hardin | Sutton-Taylor Feud - John Selman Sr | Killer With A Badge - John Wesley Hardin by John Wesley Hardin - John Wesley Hardin: Dark Angel of Texas by Leon Metz - Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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The Sutton-Taylor Feud | John Wesley Hardin (Part 3)
01/17/2024
The Sutton-Taylor Feud | John Wesley Hardin (Part 3)
The Sutton-Taylor feud was one of the deadliest of the Old West. On one side you had the Taylor clan – descendants of Virginian Josiah Taylor, who settled near Cuero in DeWitt County. Tough-as-nails patriarchs Pitkin and Creed, along with their many sons and nephews, formed the backbone of their faction. Their adversaries, initially tied to the nefarious Texas State Police, rally under the name of William E. Sutton and Sheriff Jack Helm. Ambushes, assassinations, and betrayals became the norm, with each party vying for dominance. But who’s side would gunman John Wesley Hardin fight on? Also discussed is John Wesley Hardin’s time on the run, his arrest at the hands of Texas Rangers, and his murder trial. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! John Wesley Hardin Part 1 - John Wesley Hardin Part 2 - Bill Longley | Deadliest Gun in Texas - Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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John Wesley Hardin vs Wild Bill Hickok (Part 2)
01/10/2024
John Wesley Hardin vs Wild Bill Hickok (Part 2)
John Wesley Hardin – the Old West gunfighter who not only faced down Wild Bill Hickok but also gained infamy for (allegedly) shooting a man merely for snoring! Join me as we examine both of these incidents, as well as Hardin’s encounter with the Bloody Bender family of Kansas, the time a belt buckle saved his life, and the lead up to the infamous Sutton-Taylor feud. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! John Wesley Hardin Part 1 - Wild Bill Hickok - Shootout at Hide Park aka Newton Massacre - The Life of John Wesley Hardin by John W. Hardin - John Wesley Hardin: Dark Angel of Texas by Leon Metz - Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise!
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The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger | Interview with Rib Hillis & Paul Epstein
01/08/2024
The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger | Interview with Rib Hillis & Paul Epstein
Join me in a discussion with actor Rib Hillis and producer Paul Epstein as we discuss the upcoming premiere of INSP’s The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger! As a fur trapper, legendary mountain man Jim Bridger explored the entire distant West and survived countless hair-raising adventures. Now, he's a respected trail guide and army scout who knows every river, mountain, and trail of the frontier. As a new generation of settlers, soldiers, and speculators crowd the Bozeman Trail, Bridger's hard-won wisdom is more valuable than ever, even if his famous tall tales sound more like fiction than fact. But the West is still a perilous place, and with danger just around every bend, the greenhorns heading west quickly realize they need Bridger's guidance for much more than the trail. Rib Hillis is an accomplished actor, host, producer, and model known for his work across primetime television, non-scripted reality television, and films spanning multiple genres. Hillis has worked on many notable titles, such as Ugly Betty, Two and a Half Men, and CSI, and has even showcased his talent as a designer on the Emmy-winning ABC show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. His most recent venture is INSP's The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger, in which he plays the titular legend, Jim Bridger himself. Paul Epstein is an Emmy-nominated producer, writer, and director known for his work across scripted, factual, and news television. Epstein has worked with many major TV networks and streamers, including Peacock, Discovery, and MSNBC, and has amassed approximately 40 credits across his 20-year-long career. He has worked on titles such as the true-crime documentary series Who Killed Robert Wone? and the factual drama series Into the Wild Frontier, the most-watched TV series on INSP in 2021. Most recently, Paul directed The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger, a historical drama series due to premiere on INSP on January 11th, 2024. The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger - Learn more about Jim Bridger here - Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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John Wesley Hardin: Dark Angel of Texas (Part 1)
01/03/2024
John Wesley Hardin: Dark Angel of Texas (Part 1)
In November of 1868 – at just the tender age of fifteen – John Wesley Hardin killed his first man. And, a few weeks later, he’d kill yet again; this time three soldiers who came looking for him. Fearing a hangman’s noose, Wes struck first, dispatching two troopers with a shotgun and finishing the third with an old cap and ball colt. And you better believe the hits just kept on a coming. Before it was all said and done, Hardin would be responsible for anywhere between twenty to possibly as many as fifty killings, each of which – according to him – were justifiable. But how true is that? Was John Wesley Hardin a persecuted hero or a homicidal killer? How’d the son of a minister become one of the deadliest gunmen of the Old West? And did he really kill someone just for snoring? Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Bill Longley | The Deadliest Gun in Texas - Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Wyatt Earp In His Own Words
12/27/2023
Wyatt Earp In His Own Words
Today we hear from the legendary Wyatt Earp, in his own words, as he dispenses sage advice on the art of gunfighting. We’ll also examine the legitimacy of these statements. The passages quoted are from Stuart Lake's biography Wyatt Earp Frontier Marshal, a work deemed by historians as mostly fiction. Examine Lake's admission of embellishment and invention and consider the impact of his storytelling on Wyatt Earp's legacy. Share your thoughts on the authenticity of Earp's wisdom and the influence of Hollywood adaptations on his iconic status. Regardless of fact or fiction, I certainly acknowledge Stuart Lake for contributing captivating narratives that have entertained generations! Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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A Blood Meridian Christmas Miracle
12/20/2023
A Blood Meridian Christmas Miracle
Uncover the dark history of the Yuma Crossing and the infamous John Joel Glanton's reign of terror. Learn how Glanton's brutality led to a massacre that sparked the Yuma War and a tense standoff on Christmas Day 1851. Lieutenant Amiel Whipple and his men find themselves outnumbered and facing certain death at the hands of the Quechan people, still angry at Glanton's many abuses. What happens next is what many would consider a Blood Meridian Christmas miracle. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations! Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Wooden Leg | Life After Custer
12/13/2023
Wooden Leg | Life After Custer
On June 25th, 1876, George Armstrong Custer rode into battle for the last time. He and his troops faced an overwhelming force of Lakota and Cheyenne along the banks of the Little Bighorn, and before the sun sank into the horizon, every man in his command was dead. When General Terry arrived two days later, the victorious warriors were already gone. The soldiers on Reno Hill had watched in awe as the large progression, stretching for more than two miles, passed them by. And when Terry and his men approached, their first question was “Where’s Custer?” They’d been so busy just trying to stay alive that they had no idea their commander was dead. This news not only shook the surviving troopers to the core, but also the entire Nation. A Republic getting ready to observe its centennial now had to contend with its most celebrated hero slaughtered at the hands of so-called “savages.” As you can imagine, the reaction was swift. And in less than a year the Great Sioux War would be over, and those who defeated Custer would be relegated to life on the reservation. But what transpired immediately after the battle of Little Bighorn? What events would cause the Northern Cheyenne to finally lay down their arms? And what would Wooden Leg get up to in the years following? I think the answer might surprise you. Also discussed are the Battle of Wolf Mountain, the Dull Knife Fight, the Cheyenne Exodus, and the Massacre at Wounded Knee. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Wooden Leg: A Warrior Who Fought Custer - The Earth Is All That Lasts by Mark L. Gardner - Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Wooden Leg & the Battle of Little Bighorn
12/06/2023
Wooden Leg & the Battle of Little Bighorn
“All around, the Indians began jumping up, running forward, dodging down, jumping up again, down again, all the time going toward the soldiers. Right away, all of the white men went crazy. Instead of fighting us, they turned their guns upon themselves. Almost before we could get to them, every one of them was dead. They killed themselves.” - Wooden Leg, a Northern Cheyenne who faced off against Custer and his 7th Cavalry at the Battle of Little Bighorn; a fight we will examine today from this young warrior’s point of view. But who was Wooden Leg? How credible of a source is he when it comes to Custer’s Last Stand? And what really kicked off the Great Sioux War of 1876? Also discussed are the battles of Powder River and the Rosebud. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Wooden Leg: A Warrior Who Fought Custer - The Earth Is All That Lasts by Mark L. Gardner - Alias Soapy Smith: The Life of a Scoundrel by Jeff Smith - The Reno-Benteen Defense Site | The Story Out West - Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Soapy Smith | King of the Frontier Con Men
11/29/2023
Soapy Smith | King of the Frontier Con Men
“It’s just as easy to make big money as little money. In my profession, a hundred dollars is just chicken feed. We think in thousands, not tens. Experience has taught me that it is as easy to separate a sucker – the right sucker – from five thousand dollars as from fifty. We always offered our services to well-to-do men, holding out the promise that their investments were certain to net them profit in three to four figures, at least – and that’s the real bait for the sucker – particularly if he’s the close-fisted kind that always wants something for nothing. Yes, there always was a lot of satisfaction as well as cash profit in trimming some old skin flint who would rob his grandmother if he had a chance.” - Doc Bags; a legendary con artist and frontier gambler who plied his trade throughout the West. Although Doc is largely forgotten today, his lasting legacy was his most notorious apprentice, a young man from Georgia who’d come to be known as Soapy Smith. You see it's on the streets of Denver that Smith learned all Doc Bags had to teach. And when it came time for Doc to move on, young Soapy took his spot as the undisputed kingpin of the mile-high city. But he wasn’t a gunman, at least not really. Instead of colt revolvers, Soapy’s weapon of choice was a quick wit coupled with a silver tongue, a whole helluva lot of charisma, and the magical ability to make people see and believe things that did not exist; all of which would earn him the title of King of the Frontier Conmen. That said, Soapy certainly wasn’t afraid of resorting to violence if the situation called for it. With an army of thugs at his disposal, Smith would face down more than a few deadly killers. And like many other icons of the Old West, Soapy would ultimately go down in a blaze of gunfire. They say fortune favors the bold and they don’t get much bolder than Soapy Smith, a charming rogue who spent his life operating in the shadows, leaving behind a legend as complex as the frontier he called home. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! King Con: The Story of Soapy Smith by Jane G. Haigh - Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Harry Tracy | Desperado (Part 2)
11/22/2023
Harry Tracy | Desperado (Part 2)
This is Part 2 and the final installment in the series on Harry Tracy. In the previous episode we discussed Tracy's early life, his various scrapes with the law, and his dramatic prison escape. On today's episode we'll follow Tracy as he eludes the authorities, culminating in his ultimate showdown. Miss Part 1? Listen here - Harry Tracy | The Last of the Wild Bunch (Part 1) - Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! The Saga of the Outlaw Harry Tracy by James Nystrom - Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Billy the Kid (COMPILATION)
11/17/2023
Billy the Kid (COMPILATION)
In the summer of 1881, Billy the Kid was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett. The lawman had been on the hunt ever since Billy broke out of jail in Lincoln and finally caught up to the bandit at Old Fort Sumner. It was around midnight, and Pat was waiting inside Pete Maxwell’s darkened bedroom when the Kid stepped in. “Quien es?” Billy asked, noticing the large shape looming in the shadows. “Who is it?” Pat answered in the form of two shots from his 44-40 Colt revolver and just like that Billy the Kid was over. At least in his mortal form. His body may have been stuck in the ground the next day, but can’t no pine box contain the legend that soon emerged. And make no mistake about it, Billy the Kid has taken on mythical proportions unrivaled by any other character of the old West over the decades that followed. But who was he REALLY? This is the definitive guide to Billy the Kid, a remastered compilation from a previously released five-part series, along with a look at the mystery surrounding the Kid’s death. Check out my website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join INTO HISTORY for bonus content! Billy the Kid: A Short and Violent Life | Robert Utley - Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride | Michael Wallis - Were people allowed to view Billy’s dead body? Dr. Robert Stahl | Pleading for Death Certificate - Billy the Kid’s Grave by David G. Thomas - Looking for the series on Pat Garrett? Start here -
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Harry Tracy | The Last of the Wild Bunch (Part 1)
11/15/2023
Harry Tracy | The Last of the Wild Bunch (Part 1)
Considered by some to be the last of Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch, Harry Tracy blasted his way out of prison in the summer of 1902. What followed was one of the most desperate man hunts in all of U.S. history. Over the course of the next two months, Tracy would lead hundreds of lawmen, including the National Guard, on a deadly game of chase that would see at least 7 men gunned down. According to the papers of his time, “In all of the criminal lore of the country, there is no record equal to that of Harry Tracy for cold-blooded nerve, desperation, and a thirst for crime. Jesse James, compared with Tracy, is a Sunday School teacher.” But who was the real Harry Tracy? Where’d he come from? What started him on a life of crime? And did he really ride with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid? Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! The Saga of the Outlaw Harry Tracy by James Nystrom - Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Bass Reeves | Lawman (Part 2)
11/08/2023
Bass Reeves | Lawman (Part 2)
Make no mistake about it, the exploits of escaped slave-turned-lawman Bass Reeves are legendary. Described in the papers of his day as a holy terror and one of the greatest manhunters to ever grace Indian Territory, Bass Reeves served as a deputy U.S. Marshal for over three decades; routinely traveling into no man’s land and returning with wagonloads of prisoners. With over 3,000 arrests and over a dozen kills to his name, Reeves was not only one of the most effective lawmen of the Old West but also one of the most deadly. But who was Bass Reeves really? What kind of man was he? Where’d he come from? How does a mere mortal grow such an amazing mustache? And did he really inspire the Lone Ranger? This is part 2 and the final installment of the Bass Reeves series. Link below for episode 1. Today we cover Reeves’ hunt for Ned Christie, his transition from frontier marshal to town police, and we examine whether Bass truly inspired the Lone Ranger. Bass Reeves | Lawman (Part 1) - Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! This Country Life with Brent Reaves - Ned Christie | The Wild West Extravaganza - Black Gun Silver Star by Art T. Burton - Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Bass Reeves | Lawman (Part 1)
11/01/2023
Bass Reeves | Lawman (Part 1)
Make no mistake about it, the exploits of escaped slave-turned-lawman Bass Reeves are legendary. Described in the papers of his day as a holy terror and one of the greatest manhunters to ever grace Indian Territory, Bass Reeves served as a deputy U.S. Marshal for over three decades; routinely traveling into no man’s land and returning with wagonloads of prisoners. With over 3,000 arrests and over a dozen kills to his name, Reeves was not only one of the most effective lawmen of the Old West but also one of the most deadly. But who was Bass Reeves really? What kind of man was he? Where’d he come from? How does a mere mortal grow such an amazing mustache? And did he really inspire the Lone Ranger? Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West https://www.wildwestextra.com/ Email me! https://www.wildwestextra.com/contact/ Buy me a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wildwest Snapper’s Antique Firearms | 45 Colt in a 73 Winchester 44-40 - https://youtu.be/xa9WMMlSWlU?si=KuXpcq1q-aQUs57b Black Gun Silver Star by Art T. Burton - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1496233425?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzjoshta02-20&creativeASIN=1496233425&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.YEHGNY7KFAU7&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin Free Newsletter! https://wildwestjosh.substack.com/ Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! https://intohistory.supercast.com/ Merchandise! https://www.teepublic.com/user/wild-west-extravaganza Book Recommendations! https://www.amazon.com/shop/wildwestextravaganza/list/YEHGNY7KFAU7?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d
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This is NOT Doc Holliday
10/21/2023
This is NOT Doc Holliday
There are many purported photos of the legendary Doc Holliday but only two are authenticated. This is a VISUALY DEPENDENT episode. Check the video out here: Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Doc Holliday Picnic Photo - Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Uncontacted
10/16/2023
Uncontacted
There’s just something about uncontacted tribes that’s always piqued my curiosity. Perhaps you’ve heard of Ishi, who, as the last of his people, emerged from California’s Sierra foothills in the summer of 1911. It’s estimated that Ishi was around 50 years of age and spent the vast majority of his life completely cut off from modern society. And for good reason, after all his tribe was literally slaughtered in a series of massacres. Then there’s the Bronco Apache I covered here on The Wild West Extravaganza way back when. Link in the description. These guys and gals were still making raids into Arizona and New Mexico as late as 1926. Hell, even a decade later they themselves were being hunted in the mountains of northern Mexico. According to Jason Betzinez, an Apache who rode with Geronimo, those Broncos were still out there as recently as 1959. Now I don’t know how accurate that is, but if true that’s still quite a long time ago. I think it’s safe to say that as of this recording, there are no remaining uncontacted tribes anywhere in North America. South America is a different story, though. And let’s not forget about Africa or India. Per the experts at Survival International, there are currently over one hundred uncontacted tribes worldwide. A number that absolutely blows my mind. If that seems like a lot, I will say that the term uncontacted is a little misleading. Generally speaking, it’s used to describe certain indigenous peoples who AVOID all contact with outsiders. Doesn’t mean they’ve never met anyone else or that they’ve never physically touched or owned modern objects. So long as they continue to avoid all contact with outsiders, they are considered uncontacted. And today you’re going to hear about a group who, in my opinion, are about as uncontacted as you can possibly get. They have no trade with neighboring tribes, they brook no interference from outsiders and we don’t even know what language they speak, much less what they call themselves. The following is courtesy of Rich Napolitano and his podcast, Shipwrecks and Seadogs: North Sentinel Island is a remote and largely isolated island located in the Bay of Bengal, belonging to the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago of India. The island is known for its indigenous inhabitants, the Sentinelese, who have fiercely resisted contact with the outside world, maintaining their traditional way of life and avoiding interactions with modern society. Due to their isolation and the limited knowledge about their language and culture, the Sentinelese people remain one of the last uncontacted tribes on Earth, making North Sentinel Island a unique and heavily restricted area for anthropological study and preserving their autonomy. Over recorded history, a number of ships have wrecked near the island, causing unpleasant confrontations with the native people of North Sentinel Island. Seadogs and Shipwrecks - Seadogs and Shipwrecks ad free & bonus content - Original theme music for Seadogs and Shipwrecks by Sean Siegfried - Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West The Bronco Apache - Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Wild Bill Hickok
10/11/2023
Wild Bill Hickok
James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok was the epitome of the Wild West. Soldier, spy, scout, gambler, lawman, and yes – gunfighter. Friends with other Old West legends like Buffalo Bill Cody, Kit Carson, Calamity Jane, and George Armstrong Custer, Hickok also brushed shoulders with his fair share of notorious outlaws like John Wesley Hardin. This is a comprehensive look at Wild Bill’s life, from his early days growing up in Illinois, to his time in the Civil War, and his various exploits as a frontier lawman. And finally, we’ll accompany Hickok to the black hills boomtown of Deadwood and his ultimate destiny. You’ve never heard Wild Bill’s story quite like this! THIS IS A COMPILATION FROM A PREVIOUS SERIES ON HICKOK. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations! They called him Wild Bill by Joseph G. Rosa - Bloody Bill Anderson - Making the Hickok Tutt Shot | duelist1954 - 1867 Harper’s Article -
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Johnny Ringo's Mysterious Fate
10/04/2023
Johnny Ringo's Mysterious Fate
The mysterious, oftentimes sullen gunfighter Johnny Ringo celebrated July 4th, 1882, by going on a bender. And judging by the liquor bottles stashed in his saddlebags he wasn’t planning on the festivities ending any time soon. Few days later Ringo shows up at a ranch about 20 miles to the north and he’s still drinking. Likewise even later when he runs into Cochise County Sheriff’s deputy Billy Breakenridge. According to Billy it was barely past midday and Johnny was having trouble staying in the saddle. What happened next is a mystery, but the following day Johnny Ringo’s lifeless body was discovered by a teamster; his feet wrapped in a torn shirt, his cartridge belt upside down, his horse gone, and a noticeable piece of his scalp missing, seemingly cut away with a knife. The official coroner’s report would rule Johnny’s death as self-inflicted but is that really what happened? Why would a veteran of so many battles choose to take his own life? And Where was his horse? Why was he barefoot? And who the hell cut off a piece of his hair? And while we’re at it, who the hell was Johnny Ringo anyway, and could he really speak Latin? "Eventus stultorum magister." Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Huckleberry vs Hucklebearer – Crisis hotline – Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Texas Rangers vs Comanche | The Battle of Antelope Hills
09/27/2023
Texas Rangers vs Comanche | The Battle of Antelope Hills
In early 1858, John “RIP” Ford led a detachment of Texas Rangers, along with their Native American allies, on a punitive expedition deep in the heart of Comancheria. Their mission was to catch the Comanche unaware and prove that they could strike them in their own backyard. What followed is known as the Battle or Campaign of Antelope Hills aka the Battle of Little Robe Creek. Also discussed in this episode are the Tonkawa & their Chief Placido, the Comanche chief Iron Jacket, Peta Nocona, and the astonishing raiding capabilities of the Comanche. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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John Selman Sr | Killer with a Badge
09/20/2023
John Selman Sr | Killer with a Badge
In the summer of 1895 John Selman Sr gunned down John Wesley Hardin. Considered one of the deadliest shootists of the Old west, Hardin killed his first man at the tender age of fifteen. In the decade that followed dozens of others would fall to the young man’s guns, including – if the legend is true – a victim whose only crime was snoring too loud. Yet despite all this, Hardin’s killer with a badge – John Selman – was far worse. Also discussed is the Lincoln County War, Jesse Evans, George Scarborough, Bass Outlaw, and Hulk Hogan. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Buy David a coffee! David Lambert on John Selman Sr – David Lambert’s artwork - David Lambert Wrong Reel Podcast | Jesse James - David Lambert Wrong Reel Podcast |Wyatt Earp - Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Devil Canyon Shootout
09/13/2023
Devil Canyon Shootout
In the spring of 1905, a couple of down-and-out cowboys robbed a dice game in Winslow, Arizona. What followed was a literal pursuit to hell, a bloody gunfight, and an Old West Lazurus rising from the grave for one final sip of whiskey. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! David Lambert on the Canyon Diablo shootout - David Lambert’s drawing of Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia - David Lambert’s artwork - David Lambert Wrong Reel Podcast | Jesse James - David Lambert Wrong Reel Podcast |Wyatt Earp - Devil’s Canyon Shootout by Bob Boz Belle - Texas History Lessons - Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Ed Scarborough | The Skunk Fighting Arizona Ranger
09/06/2023
Ed Scarborough | The Skunk Fighting Arizona Ranger
Ed Scarborough cut his teeth chasing outlaws like Black Jack Ketchum when he was still a teenager. He’d go on to become a deputy sheriff, constable, Arizona Ranger, and according to those who knew him, Ed was born to a saddle, an excellent marksman, and did not know the meaning of the word fear. Make no mistake about it, Ed Scarborough took down many a sassy bandit over the course of his career. Be that as it may, the toughest opponents he’d ever face turned out to be himself and a rabid skunk. Toss in a little bit of cross-dressing, a shootout with a bicycle, some good ole fashioned homicide and a daring prison escape, and we’ve got what may be the most absurd tale I’ve ever had the pleasure to share. Trust me; you’re not going to want to skip this one. Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! David Lambert on Ed Scarborough - David Lambert’s drawing of Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia - David Lambert’s artwork - David Lambert Wrong Reel Podcast | Jesse James - David Lambert Wrong Reel Podcast |Wyatt Earp - Bringing a Bike to a Gunfight by Mark Boardman | True West Magazine - Texas History Lessons - Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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Wyatt Earp vs Comanche Jack
08/30/2023
Wyatt Earp vs Comanche Jack
Comanche Jack Stilwell worked as a teamster on the Santa Fe Trail, hunted buffalo on the southern plains, and participated in the famous Battle of Beecher Island – all before the age of 19 years of age. Jack continued scouting for the Army against the Cheyenne, Comanche, Apache, Kiowa, and Arapaho before pinning on a badge and chasing down outlaws in Indian Territory. Despite these accomplishments, there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of Comanche Jack. But what about his brother, Frank? While the name Frank Stilwell likewise may not ring a bell, I’m willing to bet you’ve seen Frank’s death portrayed on film on more than one occasion; an incident that saw frontiersman extraordinaire Comanche Jack come gunning for the famous Wyatt Earp. The Battle of Beecher Island - Liver Eating Johnson - Check out the website for more true tales from the Old West Email me! Buy me a coffee! Free Newsletter! Join Into History for ad-free and bonus content! Merchandise! Book Recommendations!
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