Dr. History's Tales of the Old West

Dirty, dangerous and slow, thousands traveled by stage. Despite robbers, Indians and narrow roads, the real terror was accidents, sometimes caused by careless drivers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Indians attacked the freight wagon, the military escort abandoned Joe and Mac. Muleskinner Joe held off the attack as Mac rode for help, but would they get there in time? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Known as the "King of Bears", Idaho Jack was big, smart and dangerous. Swartz didn't want to kill this legend; he wanted to outsmart and capture him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was the blacksmith at the Rock Creek Station and rumored to be a horse thief. A detective found enough evidence, so it was decided that Dave Simpson must hang. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whipsaw, an old trapper, took in a captive 2 year old Pawnee Indian boy. Named “Little Cayuse” he had an acute sense of alertness that enabled him to warn of approaching danger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1900 miles of bandits, Indians, blizzards and deserts were challenges faced by these daring and brave young men. A financial failure, it lasted only 18 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Chilcoot Pass was the route many miners took to the gold fields. They carried the required 2000 pounds of supplies and had their own form of justice for thieves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1851 the Grosh brothers discovered the Comstock Lode. This led to the greatest Nevada boomtown ever, Virginia City. Huge veins of silver and gold produced millions for many of the owners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harry Longabaugh, alias Bob Evans, Tex McGraf or Hiram Bebee, he fought for Pancho Villa, served in World War I, joined a gang with John Dillinger, Machine Gun Kelly, and Pretty Boy Floyd. After killing Marshal Lon Larsen in Utah, he died in 1955 in the Utah State Prison.  Was this the real "Sundance Kid"?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Were Butch and Sundance killed in Bolivia?  Not according to his sister Lulu, his father, his brothers and more witnesses who met him long after he was supposed to have been killed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The outlaw years, robbing banks in Telluride, Montpelier, Castle Gate, the UP train and Winnemucca.  Butch, Sundance and Etta Place left for South America to try to begin a new life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Born Robert Leroy Parker, his grandparents left England, joined a Mormon handcart company and settled in Southern Utah. Oldest child of Maxi and Annie Parker, Butch met outlaw Mike Cassidy and began his career as a bank robber and outlaw. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A land rush was an exciting race to claim a lot in a new town. The general store, or "shebang", was the life of the town, where goods could be purchased, including prefabricated homes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a rifle, six-shooter, ammunition, horse and blanket, these men faced some of the worst outlaws. The pay was poor, some rode both sides of the law, but most were faithful brave men doing their job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Towns by the thousands sprang up across the west, some prospered and grew. They attracted butchers, bakers, merchants, doctors, but the editor of the newspaper was most important. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He spent time in jail for cattle rustling and robbing a bank. So how did this man become President of the very bank he helped rob, and became a stalwart citizen? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Violence was not uncommon in the small gold rush towns, but the Triskett Gang were thieves and murderers. Frontier justice put an end to their rein of terror. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fires, snags, sand bars and exploding boilers were just some of the dangers for steamboats on the treacherous Missouri River. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The outlaw horse had never been ridden and had killed two men. The pride of the ranch depended on Shorty and his bronc riding ability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Setting broken bones, gunshot wounds, amputations, appendectomies, tracheotomies and even brain surgery was performed by skilled surgeons in the homes of pioneers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was handsome, pleasant, a perfect gentleman but deadly with a six-gun. He rode both sides of the law, rustled a few cows, killed a few cowboys and died the way he lived. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steamboat races on the Sacramento River was a popular pastime. The captains would do anything to win, including ramming and shooting at the the other boat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who was this man and how did he become petrified? Is it General Meagher or Antelope Charley? This rare specimen made a lot of money for the owners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Malee, daughter of a Creek Indian Chief, was known as Florida's Pocahontas after saving the life of a soldier. She was the only woman in US history to be awarded a special medal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Salt beef, salt pork, beans, bread, hardtack, cornmeal mush all washed down with black coffee and they did their own cooking. Food shortages were common, along with moldy, rancid and spoiled meat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices