Wild West

Wild West Magazine presents the great American frontier from its beginnings to today. America’s western frontier has been a vital part of the country’s myths and reality, from the earliest exploration beyond the territory of the first colonies, to the wide expanses of the western prairies and deserts. Experience the old west and cowboys and Indians from top historical writers. Wild West brings to life the fascinating history, lore and culture of the great American frontier.

A CLASSICAL OUTLAW

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Wild West • AUTUMN 2022 / VOL. 35, NO. 2

THE KID AN ‘OUTLAW’?

10 MOST INTERESTING CHARACTERS IN NEW MEXICO TERRITORY

SEE YOU LATER…

FACT MEETS LEGEND IN THE OLD WEST • AUTHOR W. MICHAEL FARMER’S DEEP RESEARCH SOMETIMES LEADS HIM TO WRITE BOTH A HISTORY AND A NOVEL ABOUT THE SUBJECT AT HAND

DAM DEFENDER DEITZ

NO REST FOR ‘BULLY BOB’ • BOB OLINGER, THE TORMENTING DEPUTY SHERIFF SHOT DOWN BY BILLY THE KID IN 1881, LIES IN AN UNMARKED NEW MEXICO GRAVE

A SURPRISING FATHER OF SAN FRANCISCO • WILLIAM LEIDESDORFF, OF DUTCH AND AFRICAN ANCESTRY, CAME TO PROMINENCE BEFORE THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH

ACROSS THE WIDE MISSISSIPPI • JAMES BUCHANAN EADS SPENT HIS LIFE ON THE MIGHTY RIVER, AND HIS GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT WAS TO BRIDGE IT

BRINGING LAKOTA CULTURE TO LIFE • AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR S.D. NELSON EDUCATES AND ENTERTAINS YOUNG READERS WITH HIS COLORFUL PAINTINGS AND NARRATIVE STYLE

THE MOUND BUILDERS • CAHOKIA AND OTHER IMPRESSIVE CITIES OF THE MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE ROSE AND FELL BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

RECOLLECTIONS OF THE KID • In the 1930s the Federal Writers’ Project recorded anecdotes about Billy the Kid—some undoubtedly spurious, others bearing the ring of truth

THE KID’S MOM • Catherine McCarty Antrim did all she could to protect and raise both of her sons—Billy, the future outlaw, and Joe, the future forgotten brother

THE TRIAL OF BILLY THE KID • While the Kid’s activities during and after the Lincoln County War are well known, details of his murder trial in Mesilla, New Mexico Territory, have been overlooked

WHITE OAKS’ DARK ROOTS • The New Mexico Territory town had a violent beginning, as Billy the Kid and other outlaws came here to sell stolen livestock, drink, shoot and otherwise blow off steam

MAPPING WHITE OAKS • There are several extant maps of the White Oaks townsite, including two laudable efforts by Don Bufkin and Brad Cooper. Both focus on its latter years, however, and neglect the contributions of early settlers. The map presented here uses the earliest known information to re-create White Oaks’ appearance when Billy the Kid and pals were hurrahing its streets. Building locations are based on newspaper findings, as well as tax and property records of the day. Further research will hopefully allow a more complete portrait of White Oaks.

‘I WILL DIE LIKE A MAN’ • After his father berated Head Chief for not living like a man, the bitter young Cheyenne showed him how to die like one

THE NIGHT THE RUGGLES BROTHERS MET ‘JUDGE LYNCH’ • In the wake of a deadly 1892 stagecoach robbery vigilantes in Redding, California, took the law into their own hands

LOST TREASURE

DUKE’S SON REMEMBERS • Ethan Wayne, the youngest son of legendary Western film star John Wayne, remains in the saddle as head of the family enterprises

JOHN WAYNE, BIG AS LIFE • FANS OF THE ICONIC WESTERN FILM STAR HAPPILY BURN DAYLIGHT AT FORT WORTH’S JOHN WAYNE: AN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

THE NOVEL SAVAGE • FIRST OF THE HAMMERLESS LEVER-ACTION RIFLES, THE SAVAGE BECAME A PERENNIAL FAVORITE OF HUNTERS

PIEDMONT, WYOMING • IN 1869 MORMON PIONEER MOSES BYRNE BUILT SIX BIG BEEHIVE KILNS ALONG THE WESTERING LINE OF...