The documented history of the American West without the Hollywood horse droppings.
We use period newspapers, court records, diaries, photographs, maps, and field research to separate documented history from popular legend.
Tales from the Wild West
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Pearl Hart – An Escape Cut Short
Pearl Hart had made it through the hole in the wall and out of the Tucson courthouse. Ed Hogan, the jail trusty suspected of helping her escape, was gone too.
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Johnny Ringo — Before Tombstone
It was 1864, and his father, Martin Ringo, was moving the family from Missouri to California. Johnny’s mother, Mary, kept a journal of the trip.
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Sam Ketchum’s Last Train Robbery
It was the night of July 11, 1899. The southbound Colorado & Southern passenger train had reached a stretch of track about five miles below Folsom, New Mexico
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Wyatt Earp Before Tombstone
The Lamar Republican had hopes for its new constable. Perhaps now someone would get the public square straightened out.
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Pearl Hart and Joe Boot Captured Near Benson
The stage had gone on down the road, and Pearl Hart and Joe Boot were leaving on foot. They had the passengers’ money,
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Sheriff Glenn Reynolds and W. A. Holmes Murdered
Eugene Middleton reached Riverside about seven o’clock on the morning of November 2, 1889. He had been shot through the face and neck
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After the Fairbank Train Holdup
When the men left Fairbank on the evening of February 15, 1900, they had a wounded companion to deal with. Jack Dunlap
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Sheriff John Behan after the OK Corral
In April 1888, people gathered at Yuma’s Southern Pacific hotel for a dance honoring Thomas Gates and John Behan, new turn key at Yuma Prison
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Luke Short – Run Out of Dodge City
Luke Short had been put out of Dodge City. Now he wanted to come back. That was enough to stir up reports of armed men waiting at the railroad station
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The Murders of Bridger and Robinson
December 12, 1890, John Bridger, N. H. Robinson, and August Hickey rode up a canyon in southeastern Cochise County to look at a slaughtered cow.
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The Fairbank Train Robbery
February 15, 1900, the passenger train arrived at Fairbank. Station , and Wells Fargo messenger “Jeff” Milton was preparing to unload baggage for the stop.
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Billy Claiborne after the OK Corral
Billy Claiborne lived through the O.K. Corral shooting. A little over a year later, Frank Leslie shot and killed him outside the Oriental Saloon.