The West That Was…
America's Wild West created an untold number of notorious characters, and in southwestern Texas, John King Fisher (1855–1884) was foremost among them.
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Wild West History Association
Blog
In-depth articles, research notes, and historical discoveries from WWHA historians and contributors.
Roy Bean
Judge Roy Bean: The Alleged Hanging Judge of Langtry, Texas. More self-promoter than hanging judge, Bean's legend often outran the historical record.
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Fueling Your Historical Fire
Many authors and historians refuse to read historical fiction. Once we got out of the Roy Rogers and Bonanza phase, many moved on to documented history only — but is that the full story?
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Doc Holliday's Tucson Pleasures
Doc Holliday and his mistress, Kate Elder, were enjoying more pleasant times, visiting Tucson for the annual Fiesta — before the events that would cement his legend at the OK Corral.
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A Few Notes on Building Your Western Research Library
I am often asked for my recommendations on the "best" or "most reliable" biographies and studies of Western characters, places, and events. Here is my guidance.
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Wild Bunch Circulars Issued by the Pinkerton's National Detective Agency, 1900–1907
The Pinkerton's National Detective Agency pursued the Wild Bunch from the late 1890s through the 1910s. This post examines their tracking documents on members including Lorenzo Dow Logan and Bob Lee.
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E. H. "Ed" Fletcher
Ed Fletcher, a former buffalo hunter and scout, ran the Fletcher and Donley Station from 1875 to 1890 — a stage station along the Dodge City–Mobeetie line. Born August 30, 1848, in Maine.
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Tracking Etta Place and Ann Bassett: A Timeline
Every few years the mystery of who was Etta (Ethel) Place resurfaces, connecting her to Ann Bassett of Brown's Park, Colorado — based on geographic proximity and alleged ties to Wild Bunch members.
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Gunfighters Didn't Always Shoot Straight
In the spring of 1879 at the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City, buffalo hunter Levi Richardson and gambler Cockeye Frank Loving got into a shootout that challenges the myth of gunfighter accuracy.
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