Hickok becomes an Abilene lawman. April 15, 1871. Wild Bill Hickok becomes marshal of Abilene, Kansas. His tenure is tumultuous. He befriends young...
A Last Badge for Wild Bill
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True West Blog
Earp Loses His Badge
A political brawl leads to dismissal of Wyatt Earp. April 19, 1876. Wyatt Earp is fired as a Wichita, Kansas policeman. Earp's boss, Mike Meagher,...
The Texians’ Great Victory
Independence is near after San Jacinto. April 21, 1836. Sam Houston and a force of about 900 Texians surprised the Mexican army (around 1300 men)...
Some Heat from the Kitchen
Pete and Rosa knew how to keep Apache at bay. Pete Kitchen’s ranch near today's Nogales, Arizona in the 1860s became the only safe haven between...
Here Comes Calamity!
Jane built a wild reputation in the West. Martha Jane Canary's story has come down to us in a somewhat romantic Hollywood version. She was no Doris...
The Climax of a Court Case
Climax Jim took care of the evidence against him. Rufus Nephew, better-known as Climax Jim, was well known in Arizona of the 1890s. He was arrested...
The Wyoming Invasion
A battle of unfair odds. April 8, 1892. A small army of mercenaries, hired by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, surrounds the cabin of Nate...
Butch is Born
Robert LeRoy Parker sees the light in Utah. April 13, 1866, Robert LeRoy Parker was born in Beaver, UT. He gained notoriety--infamy, really--under...
A Troubled Law Officer
Wild Bill Hickok’s time in Abilene was tough. April 15, 1871. Wild Bill Hickok becomes marshal of Abilene, Kansas. He replaces Bear River Tom Smith,...
Another Virgin Mary
A Prescott restaurateur with a heart of gold In 1870, Prescott had one boarding house and it was run by a woman named Mary Ramos, better-known as...
Famous Last Words
Some memorable thoughts from those about to die. A number of men had notable last words as they faced the executioner. Augustine Chacon stopped to...
A Very Dangerous Man
Apache leader Victorio posed problems on both sides of the border. Though he spent little time in Arizona, Victorio gave residents on both sides of...