Were the western cattle towns of the late 1800’s filled with the only the law and the lawless? Most people depict the western town as a place of gun slinging cowboys packed into an over crowed saloon, where the whiskey and the women flow freely. The truth of the matter is, that even though there […]
Posts under ‘Mythbusters’
Mythbuster: Belle Starr, the Bandit Queen of the Old West
There are many versions of the Legend of Belle Starr. After her mysterious death on February 3, 1889, many “biographers have claimed to tell the real story of Belle Starr’s life, but in doing so they often contradicted each other†(1). Soon the truth of Belle Starr was hidden by myth only. “Legend has it […]
Mythbuster: Little Sure Shot: The Story of Annie Oakley
When one thinks of famous women of the American West, Annie Oakley is sure to appear on any list’s top ten. A tremendously gifted sharpshooter, Oakley became infamous around the globe in the late nineteenth century while she performed in Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show, which she toured with from 1885 to 1901. However, […]
Mythbuster: Seven Lost Cities of Gold
In American west history there are many events, people, and ideas that have become known as myths and legends. One event or place that had become a legend over time is the seven lost cities of gold. This is what also known as the seven lost cities of Cibola. This legend dates back to about […]
Mythbuster: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
With the movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid†becoming famous with the likes of acting legends Paul Newman and Robert Redford there are a lot of misconceptions that have arisen about the famous cowboy duo that are not all true. They became famous for robbing banks and trains in the “wild west†and were […]
Mythbuster: Cattle Kate
Virago is a noun meaning a loud woman, one who displays strength and courage, and Ella Watson was just that [1]. An inspiring woman died on the fateful day of July 20, 1889. “Cattle Kateâ€, as she became nicknamed, was not known for her feminine touches, and was the first and the only woman hanged […]
Mythbuster – The Art, Legacy and Mythology of Frederic Remington
“History owes something, and art something less, to Frederic Remington.†– Author A. B. Guthrie Jr. If the current American image of the West can be attributed to a single person, it is undoubtedly Frederic Remington. Seemingly inexhaustible, Remington fashioned nearly “3,000 drawings and paintings, 25 sculptures, and eight volumes of writings throughout his career.†[…]
Mythbuster – General Custer and the Little Bighorn: Hero or Glory-hound?
Throughout history heroes are born, whether it is through bravery, courage, or even myth. Certain men and women stand out in historical significance as a result of their heroism. General Custer is no different, as many of his feats have been portrayed in a way which most people consider heroic. Rough on the edges, and […]
Mythbuster: Wild Bill Hickok
James Butler Hickok was born on May 27th 1837 and was later known as “Wild Bill†Hickok. He is a legend of the old American west and was known for being a scout, a great marksman, and a lawman. In his later years he became a professional gambler, drank a lot and often got into […]
Everything I Know About the Alamo I Learned From John Wayne: Busting the Myth of Hollywood’s Alamo
One event in our American history often shrouded by myth and legend, is the 1836 siege of the Alamo Misión San Antonio de Valero, most commonly known as just the Alamo. On February 23rd, the Mexican army under the command of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, had laid siege to the Alamo and the […]
