DOC HOLLIDAY – MYTH & FACT
We all think of Doc Holliday as a deadly shootist, killing scores of men. But, in this case our thinking is wrong. In reality, it can only be verified that Doc killed two men…One of them on this date back in 1879.
Doc Holliday was a partner in a saloon in Las Vegas, New Mexico. A former army scout named Mike Gordon tried to persuade one of Holliday’s saloon girls to quit her job and run away with him. When she refused, Gordon became upset, and he went out to the street and began to fire bullets into the saloon. After the second shot, Holliday calmly stepped out of the saloon and dropped Gordon with a single shot. Gordon died the next day.
Incidentally, the second killing took place the following year. You may have heard about it. It’s was during the OK Corral Shootout.
SACKETTS
Friday I picked up a DVD of the mini series TV adaption of Louis L’Amour’s Sackett books…I got it at Walmart for $5.00.
And Saturday afternoon I watched it. It was made in 1979. The movie starred Tom Selleck, Sam Elliott, Glenn Ford and Ben Johnson as well as a slew of other great character actors like Slim Pickens, Jack Elam and Buck Taylor.
I had watched it when it originally came out, but sure did enjoy seeing Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott back when they were much younger…just as I was.
It was well worth the $5.00 investment.
What ever happened to Jeff Osterhgage who played Tyrel Sackett?
FORT PHIL KEARNY
On this date back in 1866 construction on Fort Phil Kearny, one of the most important army outposts of the Old West began.
It was one of a series of forts that were to guard the Bozeman Trail.
Three years earlier John Bozeman had blazed a trail that headed northwest to the gold fields of Montana. The area of the trail was the traditional hunting grounds of the Sioux, and violated a treaty with Chief Red Cloud. So Red Cloud conducted raids along the trail.
Colonel Henry Carrington did the design and supervised the construction. It was the size of three football fields.
Even with the forts the army found it impossible to stop the Indian attacks. So, in 1868 the forts were abandoned and the trail closed in a peace treaty with the Indians. Immediately after the fort was abandoned, the Indians burned it to the ground.
COWBOY KEEPER AWARD
Each year since 2006, the National Day of the Cowboy 501(c)3 has selected individuals and organizations that have contributed significantly to the preservation of pioneer heritage and cowboy culture, to receive its C
owboy Keeper Award.
The award was conceived in support of the NDOC’s mission to increase awareness for and celebration of the National Day of the Cowboy.
The esteemed recipients of the 2012 Cowboy Keeper Award are; Chris LeDoux, Cowgirls Historical Foundation, J.R. Sanders, Susan Thomas, and the Will James Society.
Incidentally, one of the recipients of the 2009 Cowboy Keeper Award was yours truly.
BUCKSKIN FRANK LESLIE
On this date back in 1889 “Buckskin” Frank Leslie murdered his lover, a Tombstone prostitute Millie Williams.
This wasn’t his first killin
g. Buckskin was noted for having a mean temper, especially when he was drunk. He had killed the husband of an earlier lover; that incidentally was declared self-defense. Some say he killed Johnny Ringo. It is known that he shot Billy Claiborne.
Then on this date back in 1889 Buckskin, while drunk, murdered Mollie Williams. In the Old West to kill a woman…for any reason…was the lowest thing a man could do. It wasn’t unusual for a woman killer to be immediately lynched. Nor only was Buckskin not lynched, he only got 25 years at Yuma Territorial Prison for the killing. While at the prison he had a cushy job and was pardoned after 7 years.
There are those who say it wasn’t that Buckskin was lucky, but that he had powerful friends who pulled strings to protect him…Evidence is that those powerful friends were employed by Wells, Fargo and Company.
WARREN EARP
We’ve all heard about bringing a knife to a gun fight. Well, on this date back in 1900 that’s just what Jam
es, Morgan, Virgil and Wyatt’s little brother did.
After participating in Wyatt’s ride of vengeance because of the cowboy’s wounding of Virgil and killing Morgan, Warren went to live with his parents in Colton, California
With Warren regularly getting into trouble, his father got fed up with him and sent him packing. Warren ended up in Willcox, Arizona where he did a little cowboying and a lot of drinking. On July 6, 1900, Warren got crossways with a John Boyet. Some say it was because of a woman, others say it was a carry-over from the Tombstone days. In a confrontation, Warren kept pushing Boyet, until Boyet finally pulled his gun and killed Warren. This was a case of bringing a knife to a gunfight. For, it was discovered that Warren didn’t have a gun. But he did have a knife.
It seems that, to his dying day, Warren was trying to live up to the reputation of his brothers Wyatt and Virgil by being able to buffalo a man, and disarm him.
CELEBRATING THE 4TH
In 1864 Orlando Robbins became the deputy sheriff of the gold mining town of Idaho City, Idaho. With the Civil War taking place in the east, 
the miners were polarized into Union and Confederate camps. Robbins’ major job was separating drunken miners supporting their individual cause.
As Independence Day approached, the Confederate supporters said they were not going to allow any Yankee sing the “Star Spangled Banner.” Now, Robbins, a Union supporter, wasn’t going to let anyone tell him what to do. So, on July 4, 1864 Orlando Robbins walked into a tavern of southern sympathizers, climbed on a pool table, pulled his two pistols, and with the tavern silent started singing the “Star Spangled Banner.” After finishing, he walked out, and the crowd parted like the Red Sea for Moses.
Orlando continued as a lawman, and in his 60’s he was dealing with outlaws one third his age. Truly, Orlando Robbins was as great a hero as any of the more famous Old West lawmen.
NEW YORK CATTLE DRIVE
Did you know that on this date back in 1854 the first cattle drive from Texas arrived in New York City? You would if you’re a subscriber to This Week In The Old West.
In case you’re not, here’s the story:
This cattle drive wasn’t done by a Texas cowboy, but an English immigrant who grew up in Illinois, by the name of Thomas Ponting.
Ponting wasn’t a novice around cattle. As a youth in England he drove cattle to London. And later in Illinois he drove cattle up to Wisconsin. Hearing about cheap cattle in Texas, he and partner Washington Malone went down there and bought 800 longhorn cattle.
Four months after their start they got to Illinois. It was winter. So they took time to fatten the cattle on corn. In the spring Ponting sold all but 150 of the longhorns. Those 150 he wanted to take to New York. When they got to Muncie,
Indiana Pointing got the idea of transporting them the rest of the way by rail car.
When they arrived in New York, they were taken to the Hundred Street Market and auctioned off.
Although Pointing’s cattle drive was a great feat in itself, his greatest achievement was to show that cattle could be brought 2,000 miles from Texas and sold at a profit. And with this a new page in Old West history was opened.
If you’re interested in receiving a story like this via email each Sunday, go to www.ThisWeekInTheOldWest.com. It’s free.
LITTLE BIG HORN
On this day back in 1876 the United States was preparing to celebrate its 100th birthday when news came from the western frontier that much of the 7th Cavalry led by Colonel George Armst
rong Custer had been wiped out by Indians led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.
Custer had been told by his Indian scouts that he was about to attack a village of many thousand Indians…Some estimates say as many as 11,000 Indians. Dismissing his scouts reports Custer divided his 600 men into four battalions.
It didn’t take long for Custer to realize his scouts were right. Custer and his 215 men were attacked by about 3,000 Indians, and within an hour they were all wiped out.
This was the Indian’s greatest victory in the Plains Indian War. But the Indians weren’t able to enjoy it for long. The army accelerated their efforts against the Indian. Within five years virtually all the Sioux and Cheyenne would be on reservations.
SANTA ANNA
On this date back in 1876 Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna died. I know of no other Old West character whose life was more of a roller coaster.
Born to middle-class parents in Mexico, as a teenager he joined the army. In 1821 he gained national prominence as a military leader in Mexico’s fight for independence against Spain.
This resulted in his being elected the President of Mexico in 1833. And just two years later he proclaimed himself the dictator of Mexico.
During this time the Anglos in the area that is now Texas were agitating for independence.
Determined not to let this happen, Santa Anna took command of the army and invaded Texas. As we all know Santa
Anna was captured and Texas became an independent republic.
While he was a captive of Texas, he was deposed. Eleven times over the next two decades, Santa Anna regained and lost his dictatorship. The last time was in 1855.
The once mighty Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna died embittered and impoverished.
END OF TRAIL
We’re headed to End of Trail that’s taking place at the SASS Founder’s Ranch east of Albuquerque.
This is the Internationa
l Championships of the Single Action Shooters Society. There will be participants from most states and several foreign countries. Cowboy Action Shooting is truly an international sport. As well, it’s a family sport. Not only men, but their wives and children participate.
If you happen to be attending either as a contestant or visitor, stop by our booth and tell us you’re a part of Cowboy to Cowboy. We’ll give you a free CD or Old West stories.
REPUBLIC OF CALIFORNIA
We all know that Texas was an independent republic before becoming a state. But did you know that California was an independent republic too?
Although owned by Mexico, back in 1846 there were very few Mexican settlers in California. In reality there American settlers comprised the largest segment of the population.
On June 14, 1846, anticipating a war with Mexico, 33 Americans lead by William Ide invaded the Mexican outpost of Sonoma, north of San Francisco. They surrounded the home of Mexican General, Mariano Vallejo. With a bloodless victory, the Americans took a cotton sheet and with red paint they made a flag of a grizzly bear and single red star…A reference to the Texas Republic…and printed the words on the flag “California Republic”. The revolt was known as the Bear Flag Revolt.
Three weeks after California became an independent republic; American forces took control of Monterey and officially raised the American flag over California. Since this was what the American rebels wanted, they dissolved their government.
Incidentally, that Bear Flag became the official flag of California.
THE LONG RIDERS
I had a couple of hours downtime yesterday and I decided to watch a western movie. I picked one from my collection of DVD’s that I hadn’t seen in a while…The Long Riders.
This movie was written and produced by Stacey and James Keach. It’s about the James-Younger gang. As far as I’m concerned it’s an extraordinary film. The unique thing is that actor brothers play outlaw brothers. The Carradines are the Youngers, and the Keachs are Jesse and Frank. Even Robert Ford and his brother are played by brothers.
Historically, it’s fairly accurate as well. Probably Bell Starr had a bigger role in the movie than she did in the life of Cole Younger.
What’s your opinion of the movie?
WILLIAM QUANTRILL
On June 6, 1865 William Quantrill died of wounds encountered in a skirmish with Union Soldiers.
At one time I referred to Quantrill as a man without any redeeming qualities. I was promptly told not to go into the Deep South and say that. I may not return under my own steam.
William Quantrill was Frank and Jesse James’ mentor. He was born in Ohio and after getting into trouble in Utah and Kansas he fled to Missouri where he became a strong supporter of slavery, even getting into violent conflicts with neighbors.
When the Civil War broke out…It’s also referred to by some as “the war of Northern aggression”…he formed a group of gorilla irregulars. As indicated earlier, Frank and Jesse James were members of Quantrill’s Raiders.
Quantrill not only attacked Union forces, he would attack unguarded pro-Union towns; most notably Lawrence, Kansas where the raiders shot every man and boy they could find. After killing 150 civilians, they left the town ablaze.
Incidentally, since Quantrill’s guerillas weren’t considered legitimate soldiers, they were never given amnesty after the conclusion of the war.
PEARL HART
Just when everyone thought the wild Old West was gone, on this date back in 1899 a small slight woman by the name of Pearl Hart and 
her boyfriend held up a stagecoach in the Florence, Arizona area.
Their take was a little over $400. But they weren’t able to spend it, because in a short time they were captured and jailed.
Shortly afterward, with the help of some men, Pearl escaped. But, because of her fame, she was recognized and returned to jail.
Pearl and her boyfriend were tried and convicted. The boyfriend got 30 years and Pearl got 5.
Pearl’s life after she got out of jail is surrounded in myth. Some say she became “The Arizona Bandit” with Buffalo Bill and in vaudeville. Others say she married a Calvin Bywater and settled down to a life of domestic bliss.
Whichever one it was, Pearl never got crosswise with the law again.
PHANTOM OF THE BLACK HILLS
When we started Cowboy to Cowboy we said we would have an occasional “off the wall” item. Well, h
ere’s one.
We old farts are always concerned about young people appreciating and getting involved with the history of the Old West. Maybe the group named The Phantom of the Black Hills could be an avenue to bridge that gap.
Although they call themselves a cowpunk band, they do have an interesting message. One of their songs is directed to the government: “First you take my money, then you take my guns.”
You can view one of their videos by going to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf1kll9csSI
What do you think?
OLD WEST PHOTOS
Our good friend Michael F. Blake turned us on to some unbelievable Old West pictures that were taken between 1867 and 1884.
It’s just amazing the skill of photographers during this time. Especially when you consider if they can take a dozen pictures a day they’re working hard.
Here’s the link: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/the-american-west-150-years-ago/100304/
NEW POSTAGE STAMPS
Today the United State Postal Department is issuing a new set of Forever Stamps. These stamps will be honoring four great filmmakers. They are John Ford, Frank Capra, John Huston and Billy Wilder.
Of particular interest to western film fans is the John Ford stamp. The background of the stamp recalls a scene from the great classic movie The Searchers starring John Wayne.
The Great Film Directors stamps are being issued in self-adhesive sheets of 20 (5 of each design). I’m sure they won’t be around long, and could become a collector’s item.
I have a picture and sheet of the “Legends of the West” series of stamps that came out back when first class stamps were 29 cents.
CYNTHIA ANN PARKER
On this date back in 1836 on
e of the Old West’s most tragic events began to unfold.
At the age of nine, Cynthia Ann Parker’s family was killed and she, along with some other children, was kidnapped. The Comanche took her, and she lived with them for 25 years.
She became the wife of Peta Nocona, and gave birth to two boys and a girl. Comanche warriors normally take more than one wife. Nocona was happy with just Cynthia Ann.
In December 1860 a group of Texas Rangers attached Nocona’s village and rescued Cynthia Ann and her daughter.
Rather than feeling she had been rescued, Cynthia Ann felt she was kidnapped a second time. Cynthia Ann resigned herself to a life among a people she no longer understood. In 1863 her daughter died. And she died seven years later of influenza brought on by self-imposed starvation.
Incidentally, her son Quanah Parker became the last great war chief of the Comanche tribe. One wonders if he would have gone to war had Cynthia Ann not been kidnapped.
DICK FELLOWS
We see outlaws in the movies riding at breakneck speed to chase down a stagecoach, and then jump from the horse to the stagecoach to encounter the driver and guard. All outlaws weren’t that good of horsemen.
One such person got out of San Quentin Prison on this date back in 1881. His name was Dick Fellows.
Raised in Kentucky, Dick Fellows…An alias…came to California, and falling on hard times decided to rob stagecoaches. He picked the correct stage. It was carrying $240,000. However, as he was getting ready to go after the stage, the stolen horse he was riding threw him, and he was knocked unconscious.
Not one to give up, Fellows stole another horse and held up the next stage. He was successful. After the stage left, he tried to lift the strong box on his horse. The horse startled and raced off.
With night coming on he started walking with the strong box. Next he fell over a high bluff, knocking himself unconscious a second time. He woke up with a broken leg and foot.
Although the strong box has $1800 in it, he never got a chance to spend it, before Wells Fargo Detectives caught up with him.
When he got out of San Quentin, I believe most people would take the hint and go straight. But not Fellows. He went back to robbing stages, only to be caught again and sentenced to life in Folsom Prison.
DR. QUINN MEDICINE WOMAN
We’ve all watched Dr. Quinn Medicine Women…actually it’s still in reruns and still looks as good as it did the first time around. H
ave you ever wondered where they got the idea for the show?
I’m not exactly sure, but it could have been Bethena Owens. Go to the link below and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1411337371
NATIONAL DAY OF COWBOY RESOLUTION
The resolution for the National Day of the Cowboy is under assault in the California Assembly.
An animal rights advocate is maintaining the National Day of the Cowboy isn’t about the pioneer and our western heritage, but ranchers and rodeo. He wants to change the resolution to the day of the rodeo rancher. And then he goes on to talk about how animals are abused at rodeos.
This resolution has always been about all who are part of heritage preservation and cowboy culture. It’s about the music, the art, the artisans, the literature, the cowboys, the cowgirls, poetry, ranching, land and animal stewardship, historic events, cowboy organizations, the cowboy’s horse, landmarks, family stories, ferriers, saddle makers, those who simply love cowboys and our mythical cowboy too.
Anyone from California needs to contact their California State Legislator and express their support of SCR 70 as soon as possible. The vote is this coming Thursday.
FIVE CARTRIDGES?
Here’s another Old West
Myth and Fact. Tradition and the early Colt Pistol manuals says to load only five cartridges in a pistol and leave the empty cylinder under the hammer. The reason being if the hammer is accidently hit with a live cartridge under it, it could go off…Incidentally; modern pistols have a safety bar to prevent accidental firing.
So, did they load only five cartridges? Not always. Wyatt Earp’s pistol fell to the floor in a saloon and it went off. Lawman Dallas Stoudenmire was being interviewed by a newspaper reporter. During the interview Dallas showed his shooting skills. The reporter said all six shots hit the target. A couple of years ago we published an article in Chronicle of the Old West from 1898 where two men went into the back room of a saloon, and while there a pistol was fired. The people in the saloon though it was a gun fight. Actually, one of the men dropped their pistol.
My feeling is if you were an average Joe you probably loaded five cartridges, but if there was a chance of gunplay you wanted as much firepower as possible. And that extra cartridge could mean the difference between life and death.
What do you think?
BATTLE OF PALO ALTO
On this date back in 1846, Zachary Taylor led American forces against an attacking Mexican Army in the Battle of Palo Alto.
Mexico had never recognized the independence of Texas, and when the U.S. annexed Texas, Mexico sent troops into the disputed Rio Grande River area.
President Polk ordered General Taylor into Texas to defend the border. It was viewed by Mexico as a hostile invasion and the Mexican Army attacked the American forces.
Although the Mexican forces were much larger in number, General Taylor was not only victorious in this battle; he won four additional battles and gained control over the three northeastern Mexican states.
Incidentally, as a result of these and other victories, Zachary Taylor became a national hero referred to as “Old Rough and Ready”. This eventually catapulted him into the Presidency. Unfortunately, he was a much better general than President.
