Candy Moulton
Candy Moulton has written 17 Western history books; co-edited a collection of short fiction and a two-volume encyclopedia; and written and produced several documentary films. She has four Spur Awards, plus many other awards from historical societies, museum associations, and press associations.
During her career of more than 50 years she has edited a weekly newspaper, two magazines, and is a past executive director of Western Writers of America.
Her passions are history, travel, and writing…all of which will be subjects for future articles for Cowboy State Daily
Candy's roots are deep in the Encampment area where she was reared on a ranch. She still lives in that same neighborhood with her husband Steve.
Latest from Candy Moulton
The American West: David Thompson And The North West Company
David Thompson became one of the first fur traders to cross the Canadian Rockies into the interior valley of the Columbia River source west of the Continental Divide. He also became the first white explorer to travel the full course of the Columbia River.
Candy MoultonApril 15, 2025
The American West: Thomas “Broken Hand” Fitzpatrick Helps Open The West
Solid, dependable, fearless, and trusted by Indians and whites alike, Thomas Fitzpatrick made a wide circle in his travels in the West from 1823 until his death in 1854, leading fur brigades, pioneers, and explorers, and brokering deals with tribal leaders.
Candy MoultonApril 05, 2025
The American West: The Woman Whose Handcart Mission Went Very Wrong
Elizabeth Whittear Sermon in 1856 persuaded her family to join a handcart company traveling to Utah. They left in August, which was a disaster. Her husband died and her children lost some of their toes.
Candy MoultonMarch 31, 2025
The American West: The Great Plains Inspired Mari Sandoz and Willa Cather
Two of the West’s best-known writers, Mari Sandoz and Willa Cather, found inspiration in the landscapes of Nebraska. In both cases the literature and the landscape endure. Cather called the harsh land "the happiness and the curse of my life."
Candy MoultonMarch 29, 2025
The American West: John Wesley Powell Explores The Green River in 1869
John Wesley Powell and his 1869 expedition pushed into the Green River on May 24, 1869, the first American explorers to challenge the mighty river across Colorado, Utah, and into the Grand Canyon.
Candy MoultonMarch 22, 2025
The American West: Solomon Butcher – Nebraska’s Prairie Photographer
Solomon Butcher didn’t want to be a homesteader, but he clearly admired those with the grit and gumption to build a home of sod and a life on the land so he made a career traveling the prairie and making photographs.
Candy MoultonFebruary 24, 2025
The American West: Following Custer’s Guidon
George Armstrong Custer finished last in his class at West Point, but served admirably in the Civil War before coming to the West and commanding the 7th Cavalry. Along the way he met a gal who followed him from one Army post to another.
Candy MoultonFebruary 16, 2025
Candy Moulton: This Wyoming Cold Is Nothing New
Columnist Candy Moulton writes, "We’ve all gotten a pretty good dose of frigid weather all across Wyoming in the last few days with temperatures plunging to 20 or 30 degrees below zero (without any wind)."
Candy MoultonJanuary 21, 2025
The American West: How Sacajawea Helped Lewis and Clark
Lewis and Clark may not have starved as they ventured up the Missouri River and then down the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean in 1805, but they could have suffered from scurvy without the food plants gathered and prepared by Sacajawea.
Candy MoultonJanuary 05, 2025
The American West: Northern Boundary Survey
When ordered to make a winter survey in 1873, Second Lieutenant Francis Vinton Greene, of Illinois, set out with a command of men who would face unrelenting cold and extreme challenges as they surveyed the northern boundary between the United States and Canada across Minnesota.
Candy MoultonDecember 15, 2024
The American West: Using A “Two-Wheeled Man-Tormentor” To Cross The Plains
After crossing the Atlantic, the travelers now faced several weeks of grueling travel pushing and pulling what was called a “two-wheeled man-tormentors” although one historian said it “might be bettered rendered as ‘two-wheeled torture devices.’”
Candy MoultonOctober 21, 2024
Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame: John C. Budd – A Real Cowboy from Age 10
John Budd and his five siblings grew up as many pioneer children did: doing whatever possible to help the family survive. That included becoming a cowboy. In his own words: “I started riding horses as soon as I was weaned and by the time I was ten years old I was a real cowboy and one of the gang; at least I thought so.”
Candy MoultonOctober 08, 2024
The American West: On This Day In 1877, Chief Joseph Surrenders His Gun
In shelter pits that had been hastily dug into the prairie of the Northern Plains, on October 5, 1877, with his weary, wounded people around him, Nez Perce Chief Joseph made his decision: “Tell General Howard I know his heart. I am tired of fighting.”
Candy MoultonOctober 04, 2024
The American West: St. Joseph, Missouri – Founded by Joseph Robidoux
In 1860, the Pony Express established itself in St. Joseph, and connected the nation during a period of great unrest just prior to the Civil War. The stables have been turned into a museum as has the Patee House, which served as the Pony Express Headquarters.
Candy MoultonSeptember 22, 2024
Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame: Gene Wollen, Cowboy From Bill Who Once Roped An Eagle
Gene Wollen, of Bill, will be inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame in October -- joining his late father who was inducted in 2017. Gene was great with a rope. He once, even, lassoed an eagle although the eagle let him know quickly who was boss.
Candy MoultonSeptember 14, 2024
Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame: Sam Hampton Spent A Lifetime On Horses
Sam Hampton is a legacy Wyoming rancher who lives by his own cowboy Golden Rule, which says, “To have good neighbors, first you have to be one.” This Washakie County pioneer will be inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame in October.
Candy MoultonSeptember 07, 2024
The American West: The Ohio Cavalry Protected Wyoming Trails
Split Rock Station, constructed in 1859 near the landmark of the same name, was garrisoned by about 50 soldiers of the 6th Ohio in 1862 when traditionally friendly Shoshone Indians and their Bannock allies attacked stage stations along the Sweetwater River...
Candy MoultonAugust 26, 2024
The American West: Chinese Miners Helped Build Idaho And Montana
Before they found work building the Central Pacific Railroad, Chinese laborers were already working in gold mining operations across the Intermountain West.
Candy MoultonAugust 18, 2024
Candy Moulton: Famed John Brown Family Camped Here
Columnist Candy Moulton writes, "When Janelle Malony takes to the stage to talk about her historical research, visitors are in for a true history lesson. Her pioneer family survived the Platte River Raid of 1864 with the families of Wyatt Earp and pre-Civil War abolitionist John Brown."
Candy MoultonAugust 13, 2024
The American West: Documenting the Wagonhound
A Frenchwoman from New York came to the Wagonhound, a large ranch outside of Douglas in a snowstorm. Wyoming’s open spaces, the seeming emptiness of the landscape, was the inspiration she sought.
Candy MoultonAugust 12, 2024
Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame – Steven C. James: Chasing Cattle for over 65 years
Steve James of Daniel has been riding and checking cattle in the Hoback Basin since he was seven years old – a span of 65 years, even though he’s been riding for almost all his 73 years. In October he will be inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Candy MoultonAugust 02, 2024