Dr. History's Tales Of The Old West

A fictional character invented by author Edward Wheeler was a popular “Half Dime” novel. Six men claimed to be Deadwood Dick, but Richard Clark actually began to think he really was Deadwood Dick. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Money was no object when Sir George Gore hired Bridger for a hunting expedition. It took forty men, 112 horses and 6 wagons to carry his gear. He shot forty bear, 2500 buffalo and many elk, deer, antelope and other small game. Unfortunately, he wasted the meat and pelts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He led a band of robbers in New Mexico, robbed a train in Santa Fe and killed a man. His last train robbery was fatal when U.S. Deputy Marshal H. W. Loomis was a passenger on the train. His gang got away, but he didn’t. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stage drivers took pride in being an expert in their profession facing outlaws, bad roads and terrible weather. Roadside Inns were crowded, dirty and the food was just as bad. Conditions improved as some stages operated as late as the 1920’s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim Clark was a trusted employee until he embezzled $37,000 to cover his gambling debts. He got lost, his horse got away, he walked for miles, but with a $1000 reward he was captured. He escaped but was captured again and spent a few years in jail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was used in America long before the first settlers. Indian tribes used it in pipe ceremonies to seal a treaty or agreement and for spiritual ceremonies. It had medical uses as a pain killer and as a poultice. Old timers used pipes, cigars, cigarettes, snuff and chewing tobacco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was said the western portion of the Transcontinental Railroad would not have been possible without the Chinese. They made good money and were skilled in the use of black powder. They did what no one else was willing to do and set the example of steadiness, diligence and clean living. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Little Jo could run faster, shoot straighter, handle a lariat, and ride the toughest broncs. He started his own ranch and rode in a Wild West Show which was filmed and was the first western film shown west of the Mississippi. Little Jo died in 1903 and it was discovered that Little Jo was actually a woman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Orphaned at age 15 she raised four younger siblings. Strong and independent and courageous, she joins war parties and is considered "good medicine" by the Medicine Man.  She became a war chief of the Blackfeet tribe and was honored by naming a waterfall after her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Attacked by a grizzly bear, Smith’s scalp, ear and left eyebrow were nearly completely torn off. With scissors, needle and thread, Jim Clyman sewed the scalp and ear back on Smith’s head. He wore his hair long to try to cover the severe scars. At age 32, he was killed by Indians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Millions of dollars were spent raising cattle by ranchers, including Theodore Roosevelt. The 1862 Homestead Act opened the range for farmers which conflicted with ranchers. Windmills, the steel plow and barbed wire, along with severe winters contributed to the demise of the open range.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom Scofield stumbled onto a deserted mine with rich ore and a Dutch oven filled with gold nuggets. He was so excited to spread the news he didn’t identify landmarks as he left. He spent years trying to locate the mine without success. He was contacted by many people hoping to find his mine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Freda Snell’s father was the Indian agent for the Northern Cheyenne and Sioux Indian Reservations. She grew up on the reservations as her father taught farming, canning, gardening and ranching. She met two Chiefs who were at the Custer Battle. The Indians were honest, hardworking, industrious and had a good life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was Dodge City’s doctor. His projects included treating alcoholism in babies, milk to be served in sealed containers, laws regulating patent medicines and food.He waged a war on flies and typhoid. Had “Don’t spit on the Sidewalk” printed on sidewalk bricks to help prevent tuberculosis and promoted pasteurization of milk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He and his brother learned to ride and shoot, in the Dakota Territory they began hunting buffalo. He was in the saloon when Wild Bill Hickok was killed. They were hired to rebury the soldiers who were killed with Custer at the Little Big Horn. He rescued Charles Russell and hunted with Theodore Roosevelt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Buffalo migrated north in summer and south in winter from New Mexico to Central Canada. Native American hunters defended what they considered their hunting ground from other tribes. It was a rite of passage for a young Native American to kill a buffalo on another tribe's land. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was eager to explore Glacier Bay, take notes and map the coastline 200 miles north. They pushed through ice floes in a dugout canoe. He explored Taylor Glacier, nearly falling to his death in a crevasse, but proved that the glacier was growing and later helped create Sequoia, Mount Rainier and Grand Canyon national parks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

General George A. Custer led an expedition into the Black Hills as the government was trying to buy the land from the Sioux and move them to a reservation. Gold was discovered which led to the Black Hills gold rush. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hired by Western Union to prepare a telegraph route from Canada across Alaska in an attempt to connect with Europe across the Bering Strait. His crew worked mostly in the dark in sub-zero weather with little food, Kennecott died before learning that a cable had been laid across the Atlantic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Outlaws learned to avoid any Wells Fargo stage that was guarded by expressman, Eugene Blair. He not only guarded express, he also tracked down outlaws and escorted prisoners. He was considered a man of "courage and prompt action." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices