Dr. History's Tales of the Old West

Partners Arnold and Slack showed investors a sack of diamonds they "claimed" they found. They led a group to Wyoming where they had "salted" a small area with uncut diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. Geologist Clarence King, a government surveyor exposed the hoax as "utterly valueless" and "unparalleled fraud." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For twenty years he skied 90 miles over 50 foot snowdrifts through blizzards to haul the mail over the Sierras. He saved the lives of miners, hauled clothing, books, emergency supplies, tools, pots and pans never thinking of himself. He helped anyone in need and left his mark in California's history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Stetson created the "Boss of the Plains." It kept the sun off your eyes and neck, could be a bucket, was customized by the owner and may cost two months wages. The "coonskin cap" was never worn by Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett or Lewis and Clark except on TV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women proved to be the best teachers as new towns sprang up in the west. Despite limited supplies, school houses and poor pay, they helped with the westward expansion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sacred rituals before during and after childbirth was essential for the family. Some foods were taboo, they used herbs and teas to relieve pain and had their own version of disposable diapers. At least half their babies didn’t survive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Pocahontas of Georgia, she helped General Oglethorpe establish the Colony of Georgia. As an interpreter she helped prevent war, supplied meat, bread and food for the colonists. Considered the most important figure in Georgia's colonial history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She saved her Coeur d'Alene tribe from attacking enemies. Called "the spiritual directress, guardian angel of her tribe." She helped convert many of her tribe to Christianity and helped build the Citaldo Mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He invented the technique of bulldogging a steer by biting it's lip. He got the idea by watching bulldogs bite the lips of steers. He traveled the world with the 101 Ranch Wild West Show and amazed thousands. Will Rogers said, "Bill Pickett never had an enemy, even the steers wouldn’t hurt old Bill."  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1872 thousands of shooters killed thousands of buffalo. Shooters could be killed by range fires, gored or trampled by the buffalo, even freezing to death. By 1872 the vast herds were reduced to a few thousand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

They used buffalo jumps, fire, deep snow and frozen rivers. With horses they were able to ride into the herd. Buffalo meant meat, robes, clothes, furniture, jewelry, artwork, cookware and bedding, nothing was wasted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Buffalo hunters killed for their hides, but thousands died from lightening strikes, wild fires, disease and tornados. They got mired in mud bogs, quick sand, river bottoms and tar pits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sitting Bull and the Ghost Dance gave hope for a return to the old ways and eliminating the white man. Warriors and cavalry from the Little Big Horn were to meet again with tragic consequences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 1863 gold rush brought thousands to Virginia City, Montana. Winter of 1865, food was scarce, early snow blocked supplies. Flour went from $25 to $100 a sack. Mobs of hungry miners stormed the stores searching for flour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After riding "Glass Eye" he became famous. He invented "hoolihanding" and could ride a bucking bronco facing backwards while carrying a suitcase. An exceptional athlete. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He confronted Pancho Villa and Geronimo, rustlers and outlaws and only killed when necessary. He was a lawman, cattleman, gambler, gunman, businessman and empire builder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bear fighter, settler, miner, freighter, stage coach owner and successful businessman. Known for surviving a savage bear attack that took part of his skull, he wore a hat to try to hide the scars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Abraham to the Maccabees to Herod the Great the stage was set for the birth of Jesus Christ. What a pioneer Christmas was like. A World War II story of German and American soldiers on Christmas. Merry Christmas from my family to yours! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Virginia City had several fires, but the 1875 fire was the largest. Over 2,000 buildings destroyed, 300 people left homeless and damages at one million dollars. Mines reopened the next day, the townspeople considered this a minor setback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cole Younger was a tough outlaw, shot eleven times after failing to rob the bank at Northfield, he was captured and sent to prison with his brothers. Brother Bob died in prison, Jim committed suicide, Cole toured in a wild west show and died at age 71. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson promoted boxing matches in Alaska, Mexico and the U.S. Tex Rickard was the main force in million dollar world tile boxing matches, including Gentleman Jim Corbett, John L. Sullivan and Jack Dempsey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Dastardly Deed of Demons" read the headlines as Cherokee Bill and the Cook Gang robbed the bank. He was caught and executed but not before leaving a trail of robberies and dead people.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi. One of Judge Isaac Parker’s most valued deputies, He arrested over 3,000 felons including his own son. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Born in 1867, her books have been translated into 40 languages. "Little House on the Prairie" was made into a popular TV show. She had her struggles and rejections but became popular among all ages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Mormon migration in 1847 established Salt Lake as the crossroads of the West where thousands replenished their supplies and animals on their way to the gold fields in California. The real money was made by those who, "mined the miners", selling goods and providing transportation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

William Ashley in 1827 took the first wheeled wagon west of the Missouri. William Sublette in 1829, Reverends Whitman and Spaulding in 1836. In 1843 the Stephens-Murphy party were the first to make it all the way to California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices