Dr. History's Tales of the Old West

Before politics he tried cattle ranching and was successful for awhile, but severe losses ended his cattle business. He gained fame in Cuba with his "Rough Riders" and eventually became our 26th President.

After 1600 miles fighting battles, hunger and cold, Chief Joseph surrendered. His famous words, "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."

Attempts at peace failed after a white flag of truce was ignored. After the Battle of White Bird Creek and the Clearwater, the military realized they were fighting brave skilled warriors fighting for their families.

Chief Joseph - Episode 1The Nez Perce, a gentle tribe, helped the white men, including Lewis and Clark. Trouble began with the signing of a treaty forcing some to leave their lands and leading to battles and a 1700 mile trek.

America's first train robbery, five Reno brothers, stole a lot of money and set the example for future robbers. John spent 25 years in prison, the others met their fate at the end of a rope.

The quest for a river leading to the Pacific Ocean led to half-truths, exaggerations and downright lies. Captain Robert Gray, Alexander Mackenzie and the Lewis and Clark expedition finally established the rivers West.

A river of flowing mud, dead trees, and sand bars, yet thousands traveled by canoes, flatboats, Mackinaws, keelboats and steamboats to reach the Rockies.

Real gunfights in the old west were not like those seen in movies. Bat Masterson, Pat Garrett, Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and the gunfight at the OK corral all had their own gunfights. (Previously recorded show from Jan 22, 2013)

1862, The Tonkawa tribe awoke to an attack by the Shawnees, Delawares, Wichitas, Kickapoos and a few other tribes Why? Maybe it was because they acted as scouts for the Army in attacking other Indian tribes, or their tradition of eating their enemies.

Cattle drives faced a lot of challenges, not always making a profit. Payment to Indians for crossing their land, freezing weather, buffalo, elk and deer mingling with the cattle were just some of the challenges.

Weary and starving, the explorers accepted food and a canoe ride only to be ambushed. Heddon packed his wounded companion over thirty miles to safety.

The UP began the Transcontinental Railroad in Omaha. Thousands worked in all kinds of weather, heavy lifting, shoveling, pounding spikes, setting ties and rail, they accomplished the impossible.

With picks, shovels, wheel barrows, teams and scrapers, they prepared the grade for ties and rails. The Chinese ate healthy, worked hard and had the most dangerous job of drilling and blasting the solid rock to build the tunnels.

They came first to lay out and mark the line for the Transcontinental Railroad, trying to avoid lakes, mountains and rivers. Like Lewis and Clark, they explored the west to find the best route. Grenville Dodge fought Indians, explored and found the route West.

Texas was the cattle raising industry which gave rise to the first cowboys. Armed to the teeth, spurs, long hair covered with a broad-brimmed sombrero was the look of the Texas cowboy.