Legends of the Old West

A Martinez is the actor behind the complex villain, "Jacob Nighthorse," in the Nexflix series "Longmire." We talked about the evolution of his character from a very small, limited role to the chief antagonist of the show. And we start with a guilty pleasure surprise: his role on the short lived "Magnificent Seven" TV show of the late 1990s.

Veteran actor Barry Corbin talks all things Western: Lonesome Dove, No Country For Old Men, the life of legendary Texas cattleman Charlie Goodnight, and the state of western movies. Warning: some strong language (though it's all quotes from a play)

Craig Johnson, author of the Walt Longmire Mysteries, previews his upcoming novel, "Depth of Winter;" talks about the real-life inspirations for his characters; the Netflix show "Longmire;" and the audiobooks narrated by award winner George Guidall. From the Western Writers of America Convention.

A trio of lesser-known, action-packed stories: a bandit plundered California for 23 years, including robbing an entire town; a sheriff shot it out with a family of killers in Arizona; two brothel owners fought a duel in Denver — naked.

WARNING: The final segment of the episode contains some strong language. It's a mash-up of stories and interviews from Deadwood about Seth Bullock, Sol Star, "Poker" Alice Tubbs, W.E. Adams vs. Al Swearengen and an odd gunfight. Plus, stories from the set of HBO's "Deadwood."

Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock and many more flocked to the Black Hills to 1876 to strike it rich. It was a lawless, illegal town in its early days — a hell of a place to make your fortune.

May 1863. Union soldiers attempt to strangle information out of Jesse James’ stepfather. They succeed, but they also drive 16-year-old Jesse to join the guerilla raiders who rampage through Missouri during the Civil War. Under the leadership of violent captains like William Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson, Jesse and his older brother Frank learn tactics they will use to become the most famous outlaws in America.

Two decades of fighting between Comanches and Texans culminated in the bloodiest year in early Texas history. In 1840, a series of events led to the greatest war party ever formed on the southern plains as the Comanches cut a swath of destruction through central Texas. All the famous Texas Ranger companies united to fight the first major battle between the two sides along a stream south of Austin called Plum Creek.

From Walnut Creek to the Gulf of Mexico, the early Texas Rangers fought against defiant Native tribes and the Mexican army when the Republic of Texas declared its independence. They were fearless frontiersmen, and in one case, maritime fighters, as well. Here are some of the early stories of the Texas Rangers.

In the 1880s, James Addison Reavis attempted the greatest land fraud in American history. In a story that crisscrosses the United States and Mexico, and crosses the ocean to Spain, he tried to convince the U.S. government that he owned 18,000 square miles of the Arizona Territory. In the process, he anointed himself the Baron of Arizona.

On October 5th, 1892, the Dalton Gang attempted one of the most daring robberies in the history of the West. Armed with Winchester rifles, they tried to rob two banks at the same time in broad daylight in Coffeyville, Kansas. The result was a running gun battle with the townsfolk that has become legend. Special guest discussion with Bob Boze Bell, Executive Editor of True West Magazine.

Welcome to a new show dedicated to telling the stories of the Old West. Every other week beginning April 1, you'll hear classic tales of the American west and discover others that have faded from memory.