SEASON ONE FINALE!

Nancy Plain, the president of the Western Writers of America, discusses WWA and her book about the life of iconic Western painter, Charles Russell.

Season One finale! Nancy Plain, the president of the Western Writers of America, discusses WWA and her book about the life of iconic Western painter, Charles Russell.

A. Martinez is the actor behind the complex villain, “Jacob Nighthorse,” in the Netflix series LONGMIRE. We talked about the evolution of his character from a very small, limited role to the chief antagonist of the show. And we start with a guilty pleasure surprise: his role on the short-lived "Magnificent Seven" TV show of the late 1990s.

A Martinez is the actor behind the complex villain, "Jacob Nighthorse," in the Nexflix series "Longmire." We talked about the evolution of his character from a very small, limited role to the chief antagonist of the show. And we start with a guilty pleasure surprise: his role on the short lived "Magnificent Seven" TV show of the late 1990s.

Veteran actor Barry Corbin talks all things Western: Lonesome Dove, No Country For Old Men, the life of legendary Texas cattleman Charlie Goodnight, and the state of westerns today.

Veteran actor Barry Corbin talks all things Western: Lonesome Dove, No Country For Old Men, the life of legendary Texas cattleman Charlie Goodnight, and the state of western movies. Warning: some strong language (though it's all quotes from a play)

Craig Johnson, author of the Walt Longmire Mysteries, previews his upcoming novel, “Depth of Winter;” talks about the real-life inspirations for his characters the Netflix show, “Longmire;” and the audiobooks narrated by award winner George Guidall. Recorded at the Western Writers of America Convention.

Craig Johnson, author of the Walt Longmire Mysteries, previews his upcoming novel, "Depth of Winter;" talks about the real-life inspirations for his characters; the Netflix show "Longmire;" and the audiobooks narrated by award winner George Guidall. From the Western Writers of America Convention.

A trio of three lesser-known, action-packed stories:

Tiburcio Vasquez marauded through California for 23 years, including robbing the entire town of Kingston, before he was brought down by a jealous lover.

Sheriff Commodore Perry Owens took on the entire Blevins gang in one wild shootout in Holbrook, Arizona in 1881, and lived to tell the tale.

Rival brothel owners Mattie Silks and Kate Fulton fought a duel like no other in Denver in 1877: they shot it out naked (or did they?).

SOURCES

"Bandido: The Life and Tiems of Tiburcio Vasquez," John Boessenecker. University of Oklahoma Press, 2014.
"A View of Vasquez," Mark Boardman. True West Magazine, 2010.
"Tiburcio Vasquez — California Desperado." Legendsofamerica.com
"The Hunt for Tiburcio Vasquez: A Chase Through a Californio's L.A.," Rob Peterson. KCET.org, 2015.
"Classic Gunfights, Vol. 3," Bob Boze Bell. Tri Star Boze Publications, 2007.
"Owens-Blevins Shootout," Navajo County Historical Society. Holbrookazmuseum.org
"Commodore Perry Owens," Marshall Trimble. True West Magazine, 2018.
"The Blevins boys triggered the greatest shootout in Arizona," Lookandlearn.com, 2013.
"Arizona's Pleasant Valley War," Legendsofamerica.com
"Classic Gunfights, Vol. 1," Bob Boze Bell. Tri Star Boze Publications, 2003.
"The 'Nude' Silks-Fulton Duel," Coloradoencyclopedia.com
"Classic Gunfights, Vol. 1," Bob Boze Bell. Tri Star Boze Publications, 2003.

A trio of lesser-known, action-packed stories: a bandit plundered California for 23 years, including robbing an entire town; a sheriff shot it out with a family of killers in Arizona; two brothel owners fought a duel in Denver - naked.

A mash-up of stories and interviews from Deadwood about the assassination of Wild Bill Hickok, Seth Bullock, Sol Star, "Poker" Alice Tubbs, W.E. Adams vs. Al Swearengen and an odd gunfight. Plus, stories from the set of HBO's "Deadwood."

WARNING: The final segment of the episode contains some strong language.

SOURCES

Available upon request (there are many).

WARNING: The final segment of the episode contains some strong language. It's a mash-up of stories and interviews from Deadwood about the assassination of Wild Bill Hickok; Seth Bullock; Sol Star; "Poker" Alice Tubbs; W.E. Adams vs. Al Swearengen and an odd gunfight. Plus, stories from the set of HBO's "Deadwood."

Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock and many more flocked to the Black Hills in 1876 to strike it rich. It was a lawless, illegal town in its early days — a hell of a place to make your fortune.

SOURCES

Available upon request (there are many).

Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock and many more flocked to the Black Hills in 1876 to strike it rich. It was a lawless, illegal town in its early days - a hell of a place to make your fortune.

May 1863. Union soldiers attempt to strangle information out of Jesse James’ stepfather. They succeed, but they also drive 16-year-old Jesse to join the guerilla raiders who rampage through Missouri during the Civil War. Under the leadership of violent captains like William Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson, Jesse and his older brother Frank learn tactics they will use to become the most famous outlaws in America.

SOURCES

“Frank and Jesse James: The Story Behind The Legends," Ted P. Yeatman. Cumberland House Publishing, 2000.
“Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War," T.J. Stiles. Random House Publishing, 2002.

May 1863. Union soldiers attempt to strangle information out of Jesse James' stepfather. They succeed, but they also drive 16-year-old Jesse to join the guerilla raiders who rampage through Missouri during the Civil War. Under the leadership of violent captains like William Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson, Jesse and his older brother Frank learn tactics they will use to become the most famous outlaws in America.

Two decades of fighting between Comanches and Texans culminated in the bloodiest year in early Texas history. In 1840, a series of events led to the greatest war party ever formed on the southern plains as the Comanches cut a swath of destruction through central Texas. All the famous Texas Ranger companies united to fight the first major battle between the two sides along a stream south of Austin called Plum Creek.

SOURCES

“The Texas Rangers: A Century of Frontier Defense," Walter Webb. University of Texas Press, 1935.
“Texas Rangers: Wearing the Cinco Peso, 1821-1900," Mike Cox. Forge Books, 2009.
“Comanches: The History of a People,” T.R. Fehrenbach. Random House, 1974.

Two decades of fighting between Comanches and Texans culminated in the bloodiest year in early Texas history. In 1840, a series of events led to the greatest war party ever formed on the southern plains as the Comanches cut a swath of destruction through central Texas.

From Walnut Creek to the Gulf of Mexico, the early Texas Rangers fought against defiant Native tribes and the Mexican army when the Republic of Texas declared its independence. They were fearless frontiersmen, and in one case, maritime fighters, as well. Here are some early stories of the Texas Rangers.

Special guest discussion with Justice Ken Wise, host of the Wise About Texas podcast.

SOURCES

“The Texas Rangers: A Century of Fontier Defense," Walter Webb. University of Texas Press, 1935.
“Texas Rangers: Wearing the Cinco Peso, 1821-1900," Mike Cox. Forge Books, 2009.
“Comanches: The History of a People,” T.R. Fehrenbach. Random House, 1974.
"Remembering Alamo's 'Immortal 32,'" Scott Huddleston. San Antonio Express-News, June 14, 2017.
“Frigid Fury: The Battle on Snowshoes,” Joseph F. Meany, Jr. New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center dmna.ny.gov
“History of Rogers' Rangers,” Rogersrangers.com
“Rangers among first leaders of America's army,” USArmy.mil

From Walnut Creek to the Gulf of Mexico, the early Texas Rangers fought against defiant Native tribes and the Mexican army when the Republic of Texas declared its independence. They were fearless frontiersmen, and in one case, maritime fighters, as well. Here are some of the early stories of the Texas Rangers.

In the 1880s, James Addison Reavis attempted the greatest land fraud in American history. In a story that crisscrosses the United States and Mexico, and crosses the ocean to Spain, he tried to convince the U.S. government that he owned 18,000 square miles of the Arizona Territory. In the process, he anointed himself the Baron of Arizona

SOURCES

“In Old Arizona: True Tales of the Wild Frontier!” Marshall Trimble. Primer Publishing, October 1985.
“Hornswogglers, Fourflushers, and Snake-Oil Salesmen: True Tales of the West’s Sleaziest Swindlers,” Matthew P. Mayo. TwoDot Publishing, August 2015.
“The Peralta Grant: James Addison Reavis and the Barony of Arizona,” Donald Powell. University of Oklahoma Press, 1960.
“The Baron of Arizona,” E.H. Cookridge. John Day Company, 1967.
“King of con-men," TheEconomist.com. December 22, 2012.

In the 1880s, James Addison Reavis attempted the greatest land fraud in American history. In a story that crisscrosses the United States and Mexico, and crosses the ocean to Spain, he tried to convince the U.S. government that he owned 18,000 square miles of the Arizona Territory.

On October 5th, 1892, the Dalton Gang attempted one of the most daring robberies in the history of the West. Armed with Winchester rifles, they tried to rob two banks at the same time in broad daylight in Coffeyville, Kansas. The result was a running gun battle with the townsfolk that has become legend.

Special guest discussion with Bob Boze Bell, Executive Editor of True West Magazine.

SOURCES

“Tough Towns: True Tales from the Gritty Streets of the Old West,” Robert Barr Smith. TwoDot, November 2006.

“Dalton Debacle,” Bob Boze Bell. True West Magazine, June 17, 2014.

“Dalton Gang,” Oklahoma Historical Society. The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, December 29, 2017.

“Coffeyville, Kansas,” National Park Service, nps.gov.

“Dalton Gang commits its first train robbery,” History.com

“Coffeyville — The Dalton’s Last Raid,” KansasMediocrity.com

“Heck Thomas — Tough Law in Indian Territory,” LegendsOfAmerica.com

“The Dalton Gang,” TheRobinsonLibrary.com

“The Dalton Gang’s Last Raid, 1892,” EyewitnessToHistory.com

“The Dalton’s Adair Railroad Robbery…A Different Perspective,” Grand Lake News online

On October 5th, 1892, the Dalton Gang attempted one of the most daring robberies in the history of the West. Armed with Winchester rifles, they tried to rob two banks at the same time in broad daylight in Coffeyville, Kansas. The result was a running gun battle with the townsfolk that has become legend.