Send a text Prepare for a riveting journey back to the 19th-century cattle industry as we spotlight Joseph G McCoy's game-changing contributions. Ever wondered how the inception of the first cow town in Abilene, Kansas, complete with a pen for a thousand head of cattle, a hotel, a bank office, and a livery stable came to be? Or how the creation of a unique transportation system for the booming Texas cattle trade had an immense impact on the mid-continent regions? We're unpacking all of these fas...
Sep 30, 2022•23 min
Send us Fan Mail Imagine journeying back to the late 1400s, tracing the remarkable history of the Texas Longhorn. These hardy, long-legged, long-horned creatures were born out of the accidental crossbreeding between escaped descendants of Creolo cattle, brought by Spanish explorers, and the cows of early American settlers. Prepare to be spellbound as we unravel their incredible evolution, characteristics, and their substantial role in shaping Texas' economy after the Texas Revolution. Post-Texas...
Sep 23, 2022•19 min
Send a text Have you ever wondered what life was like for the rugged buffalo hunters of the wild American West? In our latest episode, you can almost feel the chill of the icy weather as we journey with Jim White, Hoodoo Brown, Prairie Dog Morrow, and Josiah Wright Mooar, sharing their trials and tribulations while they prepare buffalo hides for the market. Listen in as Hoodoo recounts a harrowing tale from the Battle of the Washita, a chilling reminder of the raw brutality and tragedy of the ti...
Sep 17, 2022•31 min
Send a text In the fall of 2022, Wild West Podcast will proudly present an all-new series entitled Trails, Cattle Drives, Cowboys, and Cattle Towns. This new series will explore the early cattle trade, relive the challenges of a trail drive, describe the character of the cowboy, and retell the stories of individuals who endured the hardships of the cattle trails of the 1800s. The podcast series will provide Interesting Sketches of Early Cowboys and their Experiences on the Range and on the Trail...
Sep 16, 2022•3 min
Send us Fan Mail Unearth the riveting tale of Bat Masterson, the man of many hats from the American West who played a pivotal role in the Royal Gorge War. You're joining us on a thrilling journey back in time, where you'll gain insight into the fierce dispute between the Santa Fe and Denver & Rio Grande railroads. Decoded tactics like recruitment of armed men and storming a telegraph office were strategies to gain the right of way for laying tracks from Canyon City to Leadville. Get to know ...
Aug 03, 2022•27 min
Send us Fan Mail Prepare to be transported back to the Wild West as we uncover the life and trials of Billy Brooks, infamously known as Buffalo Bill. Witness the birth of a legend in the plains of Kansas as we follow his journey from being a part of the Great Buffalo Hunt to becoming the first marshal of Newton, Kansas, a formidable man whose name is synonymous with fearlessness and prowess in weaponry. Brace yourself for an exhilarating narrative of a suspenseful encounter in a saloon that ends...
Jul 07, 2022•27 min
Send us Fan Mail Hold onto your hats as we pull back the curtain on the life of legendary lawman Bat Masterson. Prepare for an adrenaline-filled journey through the Wild West, starting with Bat's time in Texas, his notorious gunfight in Sweetwater, and his subsequent move to Dodge City. As we put you in the middle of the action, you'll experience first-hand his tussle with Sergeant King over Molly Brennan, the tragedy of her untimely death, and Bat's transformation into a houseman at the Lone St...
Jun 09, 2022•25 min
Send a text Journey back in time with us to the unforgiving plains of 1870s Kansas. Today, we're sharing the bone-chilling tale of the John German family who faced an unimaginable ordeal. September 11, 1874, was a day that would see their lives torn apart by Medicine Wat and his band of 17 Cheyenne warriors. Our special guest, Scott Dean, joins us to offer his valuable insights on this heartrending piece of history. In our exploration of this dark period, we shed light on the brutal reality of t...
May 12, 2022•40 min
Send a text Prepare for a gripping tale from the annals of history, as we transport you back to the time of Bat Masterson and the Red River War. This episode promises to take you on a thrilling journey, making you feel the desperation, the courage, and the heroism that this era was known for. We've pieced together the audacious exploits of Masterson and Dixon, Army scouts and former buffalo hunters, who braved extreme danger and negotiated peace treaties with hostile Indian tribes. Share their a...
May 08, 2022•20 min
Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to kick up the dust and step into the world of Wild West gunfighters and their iron? Brace yourself as we take you on a gritty journey back in time to explore the deadly skills of the gunslingers who won the West, often at the end of a pistol barrel. We promise you'll be riveted as we unravel tales of legendary figures like Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp, dissecting the truth behind the myths of infamous gunfights. We don't just stop at the stories, but we also delve...
Apr 22, 2022•31 min
Send us Fan Mail How did a young boy from Canada transform into an iconic symbol of the American West? We're about to take you on Bat Masterson's riveting journey - from hunting bison on the plains of Kansas to his daring escapades in Dodge City. We'll trace his migration from Canada to Illinois, and on to Sedgwick County, Kansas. You'll hear tales of courage, perseverance, and survival that shaped the man known as Bat Masterson, including how he and his brothers carved out a reputation in the b...
Apr 10, 2022•29 min
Send a text H. L. Sitler constructed the first building on the town site of Dodge City in 1871. The location of the sod house was five miles west of Fort Dodge. The spot was near a lone cottonwood tree standing near the entrance of Wright Park that marked a long-used ford across the Arkansas River. The first business that opened on the site of Dodge City was George M. Hoover and John McDonald's saloon. The story produced by Mike King tells the account of how Hoover, a Canadian at age twenty-four...
Apr 07, 2022•6 min
Send us Fan Mail In this fictitious episode based on a true account of Bat Masterson's arrival in Tombstone, he meets with Doc Holliday at the stage station, and they take a stroll along Allen Street. During their walk, Masterson inquires about the whereabouts of Big Nose Kate. Holliday extends this opportunity to provide Masterson with the ongoing troubling affirmations and differences between Kate and himself. Finally, Holliday concludes his conversation with Masterson about the history and fo...
Mar 04, 2022•27 min
Send us Fan Mail Strap on your boots and prepare to traverse the wild and unforgiving terrain of the Wild West. We're taking you on a perilous journey through Tombstone, Arizona; a hotbed of guns, political strife, and fearsome outlaws. This episode unravels the captivating tale of a stolen election, a fearless lawman named Bob Paul, and of course, the daring escapades of the audacious trickster, Brazen Bill Brastleton. You'll be riveted as we dig into the gritty details of this lawless frontier...
Feb 26, 2022•21 min
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the history of the Wild West variety shows, including Dodge City in 1878 and beyond. The podcast is based on the work provided by the Kansas Historical Society and the research of Dr. James C. Malin, along with our producer and historical writer Mike King. Step back in time with us as we explore the wild and vibrant history of 1800s American variety shows. As your guides, we promise you a fascinating journey, filled with colorful characters, groundbre...
Feb 15, 2022•18 min
Send us Fan Mail Step right into the heart of the Wild West with us, as we recount the gritty tales of post-Civil War America. We're venturing into the untamed frontier, retracing the steps of the brave men who sought riches but ended up with nothing more than broken dreams. One such man, Raymond Ritter, led us on a fruitless railroad construction job, leaving us with empty pockets and a hunger for justice. As your hosts, we'll share our personal journey - one of us confronting Ritter, while the...
Feb 12, 2022•32 min
Send us Fan Mail We're taking you on a time-traveling expedition to the heart of Kansas history with our special guest, Lynn Johnson, Director of the Boot Hill Museum. Lynn not only takes us through the riveting development of the museum, from its inception by the Dodge City J.C.s in 1947 to its ongoing expansion but also immerses us in the rich tapestry of Dodge City's past. The museum's story is as intriguing as the exhibits it houses. From a buffalo hunt exhibit to a push-button reenactment o...
Dec 07, 2021•21 min
Send us Fan Mail Can you imagine the chilling sensation of a cold, vigilante mob's gaze on you as they draw their revolvers, ready to end your life in an instant? This episode of our history podcast brings to life the intensity of such a moment, as we recount the infamous William Taylor Incident. Guided by the firsthand account of early settler Herman Fringer, we journey through the lawless streets of early Dodge City, shedding light on its complex history and unforgettable characters. Ever wond...
Nov 24, 2021•21 min
Send us Fan Mail Join us as we venture into the past with our special guest, Connie Pinnock, Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Ford County Historical Society. Connie paints a vivid picture of the importance of preserving Fort Dodge, a pivotal piece of history that had a significant role in settling the West and safeguarding travelers along the Santa Fe Trail. Interestingly, Fort Dodge remains the only fort established for this purpose in Kansas that's still waiting to be placed on the ...
Nov 17, 2021•13 min
Send us Fan Mail What if the brutal raids by the Cheyenne Indians on Sapa Valley, northwest Kansas, were not just random acts of violence, but a response to prior attacks on them? Strap in as we take a chilling journey through the blood-streaked pages of history. Discover the tragic events that might have triggered these raids, from the devastating losses suffered at Punished Woman's Fork to an act of retaliation against an assault on the southern Cheyenne at the Battle of Sapa Creek. Through de...
Nov 04, 2021•16 min
Send a text What if you found yourself right in the middle of the 19th century, amidst battle cries and war whoops, witnessing the Northern Cheyenne, a formidable military group, valiantly evading their pursuers? Are you ready to feel the tension rise as the battle ensues at Punished Woman's Fork? This episode catapults you into the heart of this thrilling historical event, providing you with a ringside view of the Cheyenne Exodus and the unforgettable battles that marked this era. As the episod...
Oct 21, 2021•28 min
Send a text Join us for a haunting journey as we unmask the tragic tale of the Cheyenne Exodus. We assure you, by the end of this episode, you will have gained a deep understanding of the grim realities faced by the Cheyennes as they were forced away from their northern homes, their plight at the Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency under the care of John D. Miles, and their desperate pleas to the government which fell on deaf ears. This episode is a stark portrayal of man's inhumanity to man - a story o...
Oct 14, 2021•25 min
Send a text Prepare to immerse yourself in the gripping chronicles of the Battle of Beecher's Island as we follow the captivating journey of 17-year-old Czech emigrant and frontier scout, Sigmund Schlesinger. Experience the intensity of one of frontier history's most ferocious Indian battles, complete with sights, sounds, and raw emotions. Greg Heller, a retired Texas peace officer and founding member of the Kansas Alliance of Professional Historic Performers, graces us with his profound insight...
Sep 30, 2021•35 min
Send a text Unearth the riveting tales and secrets of Fort Dodge as we traverse through its rich historical journey together with Doug Austin, our esteemed guest. This episode promises to broaden your historical perspective as we illuminate the strategic role of Fort Dodge during the Indian campaigns of 1867 to 1869 and 1874 to 1875, its location on the Santa Fe trail, and the harrowing narrative of its construction. Marvel at the resilient labor and resources embedded in the fort's infrastructu...
Aug 25, 2021•26 min
Send a text In part two of Trail to Medicine Lodge provides a first-hand experience of a young freighter named Billy Dixon. Dixon describes his journey southward from Fort Harker to Fort Larned and across the Arkansas River to Medicine Lodge. During the trip, Dixon describes the sights along the Santa Fe Trail while traveling with the peace commission and a caravan of one hundred and sixty wagons, carrying food and clothing for the Indians. Prepare to be transported across the historic Santa Fe ...
Aug 13, 2021•23 min
Send a text Promise a journey back in time with us as we unlock the forgotten narratives of Forts Mann and Atkinson, the guardians of the Santa Fe Trail. These key outposts, established in the mid-19th century, played a significant role in the American westward expansion. Yet, the pivotal role of Fort Dodge in securing the frontier has been largely untold. We'll reveal how this fort, nestled along the Arkansas River, was involved in major campaigns to quell the unrest on the plains and facilitat...
Aug 04, 2021•26 min
Send a text Part one of "Trail to Medicine Lodge" describes the reasons behind forming a peace commission to end the war with the Plains Indians while describing the Medicine Lodge location in Kansas. The story progresses as Billy Dixon, a hired freighter for the Medicine Lodge expedition, explains firsthand what it was like to move freight from the trailhead forts to the Medicine Lodge location. While on this journey from Fort Harker, Dixon experiences a cholera epidemic and then joins a train ...
Jul 22, 2021•23 min
Send a text Get ready for a no-holds-barred journey into the heart of the American frontier. We'll be tracing the footsteps of Major General Winfield S Hancock and his sizable force as they ventured into the volatile landscape of 1867 Kansas. A land where settlers, travelers, and Native American tribes clashed, and tension was as tangible as the dust underfoot. Our guide through this historical odyssey? Edmund Guerriere. A French trader by profession, a Cheyenne Indian by birth, and a survivor o...
Jul 16, 2021•30 min
Send a text Tantalizing tales of the Old West await you! We've got a chilling yarn about a frontier town shooting, an adventure-filled journey to Dodge City, and a violent encounter in a dance hall. This episode takes you on a journey back in time, recounting stories of courage, friendship, lawlessness, and the brutal realities of frontier life. Our first narrative tells the story of a senseless killing and the daring pursuit of justice that follows. Listen as we recount the captivating tale of ...
Jul 11, 2021•22 min
Send a text Wild West Podcast proudly presents "Texas Billy and Squirrel Tooth Alice." This true story begins in Abilene, Kansas, when Billy Thompson arrives after a long cattle drive from San Antonio, Texas. Billy Thompson, known as "Texas Billy," decides to take in an evening of entertainment and meets up with Elizabeth Haley, a young lady of 15 who has chosen a dancehall life. A relationship builds between them, and Billy helps run the Bull's Head Saloon, co-owned by his brother Ben Thompson ...
Jul 02, 2021•32 min
