Contributors
American West: Wyoming's Earl Durand, The Last Outlaw
The last of the true mountain men, Cody's Earl Durand made his own law. Unwilling to give in to a rapidly changing world that abandoned the ways of the past, Durand fought an inevitable future, until a bank robbery did him in.
Kellen CutsforthApril 24, 2025
The American West: Medicine Water Leader of the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers
Medicine Water became the leader of the Cheyenne Bowstring Warrior Society, commonly known as the Dog Soldiers. With his wife Mo-chi and the Dog Soldiers he set out to preserve the culture and traditions, and the territory for the Cheyenne people.
Linda WommackApril 23, 2025
The American West: An Early California - Oregon Cattle Drive
Ewing Young and his men drove a herd of cattle into the Willamette Valley in 1837, thus providing a basis for the dairy and beef industries in Oregon. This cattle drive was an undertaking that would not occur on such a vast scale again until the late 1860s, when Texas cowboys would herd their cattle north to Kansas railhead towns.
James A. CrutchfieldApril 22, 2025
The American West: Doc Peirce Prepared Wild Bill Hickok For Burial
Known as the man who laid out Wild Bill Hickok for burial, Doc Peirce had a storied life and his brief time in Deadwood made him famous. Of Hickok Peirce said, “he was the prettiest corpse I ever saw — the blood having run out of him so quickly, he looked just as if he was a wax figure.”
Peggy SandersApril 21, 2025
The American West: The Texian For Texas Independence, 1836
When Texian delegates declared independence from Mexico in 1836 José Antonio Navarro of San Antonio was one of the signers. He would later sign the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, the only Texas native whose name was affixed to both the Texian Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
R.B. MillerApril 20, 2025
The American West: The Birth Of The Rough Riders
Each recruit had to be a good shot be able to ride anything in the line of horseflesh, a rough and ready fighter, and above all must absolutely have no understanding of the word fear.
James A. CrutchfieldApril 19, 2025
The American West: A Case Of Gold Fever In Colorado
The story of westward expansion includes several episodes of mineral discoveries setting off national and even international gold rushes including one that brought John D. Young to Colorado.
Terry A. Del BeneApril 18, 2025
The American West: Buffalo Bill’s Little Known Business Partner
Evelyn Booth, a wealthy young English sportsman tumbled into a shooting match with Buffalo Bill Cody before a crowd of 3,000 spectators. That chance encounter gave Booth an opportunity to partner in one of the most profitable and renowned Western enterprises ever.
Kellen CutsforthApril 17, 2025
The American West: Cripple Creek’s Sweet Treat – The Black Cow
Who doesn't love a rich, creamy Root Beer Float? The simple and oh, so sweet refreshing treat was originally called the “Black Cow” and the sweet concoction was created in the mountain mining camp of Cripple Creek, Colorado.
Linda WommackApril 16, 2025
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: Elkhorn Ranch — Cowboys Saved By Sage Hens And Seed Peas
It did not take long for the cowhands in Cache Valley to realize their cattle would starve to death before spring as there was not enough hay for them all. And the cowboys also needed food for themselves, which came from unlikely sources.
R.B. MillerApril 14, 2025
The American West: Old Ephraim
A loud ruckus awakened Frank Clark from a sound sleep. Still in his in his underwear, Frank grabbed his rifle, and ran to investigate. He found a legendary grizzly bear named Old Ephraim, enraged and fighting to free himself from a 23-pound bear trap.
R.B. MillerApril 13, 2025