The Tule River War of 1856 was one of California’s most misunderstood frontier conflicts—born from rumor, fear, and a rush to violence rather than clear facts. In the foothills of the southern San Joaquin Valley, Yokuts warriors built a fortified stronghold along the North Fork of the Tule River, using rock, brush, and rugged terrain to create a defensive position that stunned the volunteer militias who came looking for them. What followed was not a clean battle between armies, but a chaotic clash between an organized Indigenous defense and a disorganized mob of settlers armed with rifles, rumors, and exaggerated claims of stolen cattle and massacres.This episode traces the war from its earliest spark through the repeated failed assaults on the Yokuts’ fort—later known as Battle Mountain—examining how volunteer leaders like Foster DeMasters and Sheriff W.G. Poindexter struggled against terrain, discipline, and reality itself. We also follow the lesser-known but deeply troubling side stories: the attack by a small settler party on a separate Yokuts camp, the spread of panic that led miners to fortify towns that were never truly threatened, and the eventual arrival of the U.S. Army, which found much of the supposed uprising simply did not exist.Drawing from multiple contemporary sources, military reports, and firsthand accounts, this video separates myth from fact and shows how the Tule River War ended not with victory, but displacement, retaliation, and long-term devastation for the Yokuts people. It’s a story of how frontier violence escalated through misinformation—and how one of California’s largest Native populations was pushed closer to collapse in the aftermath of a war that never needed to happen.If you want to hear more stories from the Old West, make sure to Subscribe and click that Bell Notification, also, please check out the Wild West Deep Dives Spotify, I have an 8-part Series on the Legendary Lawmen Bass Reeves & the Jolly Mountain Man Joe Meek.Spotify link; https://open.spotify.com/show/1EgStxXLcoJQpkmDZ8ijGt?si=4df74c69a6014f7d#oldwesthistory #wildwesthistory #westernhistory #oldwestbattles #westernbattles #tuleriverwarSources for Researchhttps://www.historynet.com/the-tule-river-war/?f The Indian War on Tule River Written by George W. Stewart https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7bc636q0 History of Tulare and Kings Counties California Chapter 2; ‘Indian War of 1856’ “For an account of this we are principally indebted to Stephen Barton, writing in 1874, when the principal actors in the drama were still alive and he had every opportunity to obtain an accurate version of the matter. Additional facts secured through the researches of George W. Stewart in 1884, are linked in with narrative which we present here.” By; Eugene L. Menefee and Fred A. Dodgehttps://www.newman-museum.org/articles/yokut-indian-tribe Unveiling the Legacy of the Yokut Indians near Newman, Californiahttps://www.legendsofamerica.com/yokuts-indians/ History of the Yokuts Kathy Alexanderhttps://www.legendsofamerica.com/treaty-of-guadalupe-hidalgo/ Treat of Guadalupe Hidalgohttps://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1081 California Gold Rush https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/Native_Peoples_Map_Brochure_2020.pdfSources for Photos/LinksJames W. Marshall California State Library 2005-0686Native American and Spanish Contact https://www.californiaadaptationforum.org/2018/03/30/untold-history-the-survival-of-californias-indians/Mountain Howitzer Mafiag, CC; 3.0Battle Mountain Photograph Photographed by Lester J LetsonBattle Mountain Historical Marker Photographed by Lester J LetsonBattle Mountain https://californiarevealed.org/do/10a27d13-f57e-4eba-8b05-b8d543ea4a6e#page/1San Joaquin Valley On^ste82; CC; 3.0
In 1860, one of the most brutal and least-known disasters on the Oregon Trail unfolded along the Snake River. This is the true story of the Utter–Van Ornum Massacre—a nightmare of ambush, starvation, captivity, and desperate survival that rivaled even the Donner Party in terror and loss. Forty-four emigrants set out for Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Only fifteen would live to tell what happened.In this deep dive, we uncover the full timeline of the massacre, the breakdown of the wagon train, the multi-day battle against Shoshone and Bannock warriors, and the horrific escape that followed. We explore the ten-day march of starving survivors, the separations, the rescues that came too late, and the heart-wrenching fate of the Van Ornum children. We also examine the conflicting survivor accounts, including Joseph Myers’s controversial stories and Emeline Trimble’s later testimony that reshaped how historians understand the event.This episode pieces together military reports, survivor narratives, newspaper accounts, and historical research to tell one of the most shocking and forgotten tragedies of the American West.If you’re interested in Oregon Trail history, frontier warfare, Native American history, survival stories, or lost tales of the Old West, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell for more Wild West Deep Dives.Check out Wild West Deep Dives on Youtube; https://youtu.be/FWEJz8-z4rM?si=3m71xLBWJoOd8IVx#Oregontrailmassacre #trailmassacre #oregontrail #wildwest #oldwest #frontierhistory #pioneerhistory #pioneerstoriesMain Sources for Research;https://www.oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/historical-records/snake-river-massacre-account-by-one-of-the-survivors/ Article from the Oregon Argus, 24th of November, 1860Massacre on the Oregon Trail in the Year 1860 (2) A Tale of Horror, Cannibalism & Three Remarkable Children By Carl P. Schlicke https://www.washingtonhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/01-1_Schlicke-1.pdf https://npshistory.com/publications/oreg/c-v1n1-1987.pdf https://www.legendsofamerica.com/utter-van-ornum-massacre-idaho/https://www.truewestmagazine.com/article/abducted By Terry A. Del Benehttps://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/fort-laramie-treaty Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868https://history.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/0233.pdfLinks for PhotosThe Site of where they buried; Alexis Van Ornum, Marcus Van Ornum, Mrs. Abigail Van Ornum, two of the Utter boys, and a young man named Samuel Gleason.- Photos by; Ken LundSioux Reservation Map- Kmusser‘Circle the Wagons’- The Phoenix Preacher- https://www.phoenixpreacher.com/circle-the-wagons/ Starvation Camp Marker Photos- Photographed by Barry SwackhamerCache Valley, Utah- https://visitusaparks.com/utah-logan-cache-valley/
One of the most gripping chapters of Colorado’s frontier past — the rise and violent fall of L.H. Musgrove and his ruthless gang of horse thieves, highwaymen, and killers. From Edward “Heartless” Franklin holding off seventeen U.S. soldiers, to Sanford Duggan’s desperate escape attempts, to the daylight lynching that shocked early Denver, this episode dives deep into the real story behind the West’s most dangerous outlaws.
We uncover how Musgrove built his operation, how his men terrorized Colorado and Wyoming, and how a city finally snapped — delivering its own brand of frontier justice beneath the Larimer Street bridge.
If you love Wild West history, vigilante justice, outlaw legends, and deep-dive storytelling, you’re in the right place.
Sources;
Hands up; or, Thirty-five years of detective life in the mountains and on the plains by Cook, David J.; Cook, John W., Colorado-Henkle Collection https://archive.org/details/handsuporthirtyf00cook/page/112/mode/2up
https://www.reporterherald.com/2017/11/25/musgrove-gang-meets-its-end/
Article by Kenneth Jessen
https://www.reporterherald.com/2017/11/18/larimer-countys-musgrove-gang/
Article by Kenneth Jessen
https://jvlbell.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Volume-63.pdf
The Colorado History Gazette
History of Larimer County, Colorado
By Ansel Watrous, 1911
https://archive.org/details/cu31924028878936/page/n113/mode/2up
Sam Sixkiller was more than just a lawman. He was a symbol of justice on the violent frontier of Indian Territory. In this episode, we dive deep into the life of the legendary Cherokee officer whose reputation for courage, discipline, and fairness made him one of the most respected figures of the Old West.From his early service as a Lighthorseman, to his rise as the first captain of the U.S. Indian Police, to the deadly dangers he faced each day on the streets of Muskogee, this video explores the real story behind the man who helped bring law and order to a land filled with outlaws, smugglers, and killers. We’ll walk through his battles, his leadership, and the tragic ambush that took his life on Christmas Eve in 1886.If you’ve never heard of Sam Sixkiller, prepare for a story that deserves to stand alongside the greatest lawmen in frontier history.#Sam Sixkiller #Cherokeelawman #IndianTerritory #U.S.IndianPolice #OldWestHistory
Laramie, Wyoming wasn’t always the quiet frontier town it’s remembered as — it began in blood, corruption, and chaos. This episode dives into the violent rise and fall of “Big Steve” Long, a deputy marshal who turned law enforcement into organized terror. Alongside his half-brothers Ace and Con Moyer, Long ruled early Laramie from their saloon, the “Bucket of Blood,” extorting ranchers, robbing miners, and gunning down anyone who stood in their way. But when the town finally fought back, justice came on a rope.Discover the true story of how Laramie’s lawless beginnings nearly destroyed it before order ever took hold.#OldWest #WildWestHistory #SteveLong #Laramie #WyomingHistory #Outlaws #Lawmen #WildWestDeepDives #WesternHistorySources for Research;https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-stevelong/ https://www.visitlaramie.org/listing/bucket-of-blood-saloon/258/https://wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/kid-hell-wheels-laramie-railroad-arrivedhttps://www.wyoachs.com/people/2018/3/2/laramie-mayor-former-sheriff-both-die-with-boots-off-despite-vigilante-history Judy Knight ArticleFor Photos;Steve Long Hanging Alonehttps://digital.denverlibrary.org/nodes/view/1115831 Denver Public Library Special Collections
Amos Chapman was one of the most remarkable scouts of the American frontier — a man who bridged two worlds. Born to a white father and a Cheyenne mother, he served as an interpreter, messenger, and warrior through some of the most turbulent years of the Indian Wars. This episode dives into Chapman’s incredible bravery at the Battle of Buffalo Wallow during the Red River War — an act that earned him the Medal of Honor — and his life afterward as a respected interpreter and advocate for peace on the plains.From near-death on the Texas frontier to his later years in Oklahoma, Chapman’s story reveals the courage, loyalty, and complexity of a man who stood between cultures at a turning point in American history.#WildWest #AmosChapman #IndianWars #FrontierHistory #MedalOfHonor #BuffaloWallow #WildWestDeepDivesJoin the Wild West Deep Dive Membership Family! For just $1, you'll get access to bonus episodes like the First Stagecoach Robbery in US History & the recently released Hunnewell Gunfight! I appreciate y'alls support!Sources;https://dc.swosu.edu/westview/vol5/iss2/8/ Amos Chapman, Son of Western Oklahoma by Tena Baileyhttps://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/buffalo-wallow-fight Hugh Allen Anderson Articlehttps://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/redriver/battles.html Battles of the Red River War: Archeological Perspectives on the Indian Author; J. Brett Cruse https://books.google.com/books?id=vRNpDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/chapman-amos Article by Hugh Allen Anderson on Amos Chapmanhttps://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=62310 Historical Markerhttps://dc.swosu.edu/westview/vol5/iss2/8/ Amos Chapman, Son of Western Oklahoma by Tena Baileyhttps://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/buffalo-wallow-fight Article by Hugh Allen Anderson on the Battle of Buffalo Wallowhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5PEyAAAAIBAJ&pg=1318,772690&dq=amos-chapman&hl=en Article by Elmo Scott Watson, titled ‘Stories of Great Scouts… Scout Called “Tam-e-yukh-tah” (Cut-Off Leg)’For PhotosFort Dodge https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ks-fortdodge/ Chief Stone Calf https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1622278/ Red River War https://www.legendsofamerica.com/tx-redriverwar/ Buffalo Wallow Battle Monument Photo credit; Pi3.124Dixon Saving Amos https://www.historynet.com/olive-dixon-widow-billy-dixon/ Battle Buffalo Wallow Monument HMdb.org PhotoID=266497Amos & Mary’s Grave HMdb.org PhotoID=229855Amos Chapman Historical Marker Photo by Don Morfe https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=62310
William “Brazen Bill” Brazelton was one of the boldest and most enigmatic outlaws of the Old West—a masked highwayman who single-handedly robbed stagecoaches across Arizona and New Mexico in the late 1870s. A towering figure with a calm voice and iron nerve, he struck alone near Wickenburg, Silver City, and Tucson, armed with both pistol and rifle in one hand—a signature move that unnerved everyone who faced him. Before his life of crime, he briefly posed as a showman in Prescott, Arizona, claiming he would “swallow a wagon wheel” before vanishing with the ticket money, earning him his first nickname.His luck ran out in August 1878 when Sheriff Charles Shibell’s posse tracked him by a single twisted horseshoe print to a mesquite bosque along the Santa Cruz River near Tucson. Refusing to surrender, Brazelton went for his gun and was cut down in a storm of Winchester fire. His body was brought back to town, photographed upright with his mask and rifle, and displayed as proof that the Territory’s most feared outlaw was finally dead. That haunting image—and tales of his ghost, El Tejano, still riding the desert—cemented “Brazen Bill” Brazelton’s place among the most enduring legends of the American frontier.#BrazenBillBrazelton #OldWestOutlaw #WildWestHistory #StagecoachRobberies #ArizonaLegends #FrontierJustice #WildWestDeepDivesSources for PhotosPoint of Mountain Benchmark Photo by Michael 🌵 WilliamsBrazen Bill’s Unique Stance Photo by Nick Brumby Westerns https://nickbrumbywesterns.com/brazen-bill-brazelton/ Sources for Researchhttps://www.legendsofamerica.com/william-brazelton/ https://truewestmagazine.com/article/the-man-who-swallowed-a-wagon-wheel/https://truewestmagazine.com/article/brazen-bill-shot-to-blazes/ https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn82014896/1878-08-30/ed-1/?sp=2&q=coach+nine+robbed&r=0.08,0.662,0.393,0.25,0 Arizona citizen (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]), August 30, 1878https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn84024827/1902-08-03/ed-1/?sp=6&q=Arizona+coaches+Mexico+New+nine+robbed&r=0.036,0.223,0.549,0.261,0 (5) Bisbee daily review (Bisbee, Ariz.), August 3, 1902. John Clum interview.https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn82014896/1877-09-29/ed-1/?sp=2&q=robbed+stage&r=0.309,0.551,0.381,0.181,0 Arizona citizen (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]), September 29, 1877https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn82014896/1878-08-16/ed-1/?sp=3&q=masked+robber&r=0.172,0.553,0.374,0.178,0 Arizona citizen (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]), August 16, 1878
Marion Hedgepeth – known as The Handsome Bandit – was one of the most charming and dangerous outlaws of the Old West. A master train robber with style and precision, Hedgepeth rode with some of the most feared bandits of his time. But in a shocking twist, his tip to authorities would help capture one of America’s most notorious serial killers — H.H. Holmes, the “Devil in the White City.”After prison, Hedgepeth tried to go straight, working as a shoemaker and Pinkerton informant. Yet his old ways caught up with him, and the legend of The Handsome Bandit came to a tragic end.This is the incredible true story of crime, betrayal, and redemption — the outlaw who helped catch a killer.#OldWest #OutlawStories #WildWestHistory #MarionHedgepeth #HandsomeBandit #TrainRobberies #HHHolmes #TrueCrimeHistory #AmericanWest #WildWestDeepDives #WesternLegends #LawmenAndOutlaws #19thCenturyAmerica #PinkertonDetectives #truehistory Sources;https://www.legendsofamerica.com/marion-hedgepeth/ https://truewestmagazine.com/article/last-of-the-fast-guns/ Article by Ron Soodalterhttps://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/news/nation-world/1996/05/26/the-bad-doctor/50650073007/ Dave Ivey Articlehttps://truewestmagazine.com/article/marion-hedgepeth-crosses-tracks-with-serial-killer-h-h-holmes/ Mark Boardman Articlehttps://www.biography.com/crime/hh-holmes https://archive.org/details/holmespitezelcas00geye/page/46/mode/ The Holmes-Pitezel case; a history of the greatest crime of the century and of the search for the missing Pitezel children by Geyer, Frank P; Lawrence J. Gutter Collection of Chicagoana (University of Illinois at Chicago) ICIU, 1896MARION HEDGEPETH'S LETTERhttps://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=RLRP18911119.2.9&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- Rensselaer Republican Article, 19th November, 1891.https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp18911203.1.1&srpos=1&e=-------en-20--1--img-txIN-robbery-------sppp18911203---- St. Paul Pioneer Press Article, 3 December, 1891https://www.newspapers.com/image/457546007/ The San Francisco Examiner, 11 Feb, 1892Grady, David P. (July–August 1996). The Debonair Killer. American Cowboy Her Sacque of Sealskin: A Chapter of Western Bandit History. Vol. 20. Express Gazette. 1895.https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-globe-democrat-marion-columbus/164499381/?utm St. Louis Globe-Democrat, History of Glendale Robbery
They called him The Black Fox. The Calico Cowboy. A name whispered through saloons and frontier towns — branded as a rustler, an outlaw, and a gunslinger who roamed the borderlands between Texas, Mexico, and Colorado.For over a century, the legend of Isam Dart has been told as that of a notorious outlaw gunned down by the infamous Tom Horn. But what if that story — the one printed in dime novels, repeated in old newspapers, and echoed in Western lore — was never true?In this episode, we dive deep into the real life of Isam Dart — not the outlaw myth, but the man himself. A Black cowboy, horseman, and rancher whose skill, reputation, and integrity made him one of the most respected figures in the high country of Brown’s Park, even helping in the capture of Harry Tracy. His life was shaped not by crime, but by hard work, resilience, and the struggle to survive in the frontier.And Thank You to the incredible research and insight from Dan Davidson, Paul Knowles, Bob Silbernagel, and the team at the Museum of Northwest Colorado in Craig, we can finally separate the legend.
#WildWestDeepDives #IsamDart #BlackCowboys #TomHorn #WesternHistory #ForgottenWest #ColoradoHistory #WildWest #FrontierLegends #MuseumOfNorthwestColorado
Isam Dart Licenses
The Battle of Palmito Ranch
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/palmito-ranch-battle-ofTwo Bar Ranch Brown’s ParkJon Roanhaus, CC; 4.0Sand HillsChris Light, CC; 4.0Ora Haleyhttp://www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/horndart.htmlJoe Davenporthttps://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/bub-meeks-and-wild-bunch-winchesterElroy P. Philbrickhttps://wyomingcowboyhalloffame.org/inductee_cowboys/elroy-p-philbrick/Hahns Peakhttps://nwcoloradoheritagetravel.org/hahns-peak-colorado/Isam Dart SourcesThe Legendhttps://www.legendsofamerica.com/isom-dart/https://www.legendsofamerica.com/anne-bassett/https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/isom-dart-1849-1900/Article by Richelle Rawlings-Carrollhttps://www.reporterherald.com/2022/02/21/a-look-at-black-history-black-cowboy-isom-dart-killed-by-assassin-tom-horn/Article by Kenneth JessenThe Truthhttps://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/black-cowboy-demeaned-by-fictional-representation/article_51322eb2-b44f-11eb-aa56-efc799cf8b9c.htmlArticle from Bob Silbernagelhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJCg2GTEZoADan Davidson, Isam Dart Historian, Museum of Northwest ColoradoAspen Daily Chronicle Article 30th April 1890Link; https://www.ppc-historicnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=ADC18900930.2.21&srpos=1&e=-------en-20-ADC-1--img-txIN%7CtxCO%7CtxTA-Isam+DArt-------0------
Thank you everyone for their recent support! Y'all are amazing and as always, this has been an amazing series, I've had an amazing time researching and producing it! I hope y'all enjoy it!
In this final part of our Joe Meek series, we follow the legendary mountain man turned frontiersman through the final chapters of his remarkable life. We’ll revisit the shocking Whitman Massacre of 1847 and Meek’s harrowing journey to Washington, D.C., where he carried word of the tragedy to the federal government. From his days in the fur trade to his later years as a lawman and political leader in Oregon, Meek’s story captures the transformation of the American West itself — from wilderness to statehood.
Joe Meek’s life spanned the full arc of the frontier. He began as a trapper and hunter in the wilds of the Rocky Mountains and ended as a founder and statesman helping to shape Oregon’s future. Brash, humorous, and fiercely independent, Meek embodied both the untamed spirit and the hard-won progress of the 19th-century West. His legend stands as a bridge between the era of mountain men and the birth of the American Northwest.
Check out the Wild West Deep Dives Youtube and always become a member of the family! For just $1, you'll get access to bonus content like the Hunnewell Gunfight!
Step into the forgotten story of Massai — the Last Bronco Apache. Born at Mescal Mountain, Massai grew up as a fierce runner, hunter, and warrior. He fought under Geronimo, served as a U.S. Army scout, and made a daring escape from a Florida-bound prison train, walking over a thousand miles back to his homeland. For years he lived in hiding with his wife Zanagoliche and their children, hunted by soldiers and settlers, blamed for raids he may never have committed, but always a symbol of Apache resistance. In this episode of Wild West Deep Dives, we explore the Apache Wars, Massai’s dramatic leap to freedom, his life in the shadows, and his tragic death that blurred into the legend of the Apache Kid. ✨ If you love untold Wild West stories, the Apache Wars, Geronimo, and forgotten frontier history, this is one you won’t want to miss. #apachewars #Geronimo #WildWest #Massai #NativeAmericanHistory #WildWestDeepDives #ApacheKid Source for Photos William Tooahyaysay Bradford, Ikegee Nant’an and Beh Goz Ani from the Chiricahua Apache Link to website; https://chiricahuaapachenation.org Mescal Mountain https://themtsarecalling.com/mescal/ Rain in the Desert Photo Jessie Eastland Sources for Research https://www.historynet.com/massai-zanagoliche-apache-abduction-turned-enduring-love-story/ Article by Sherry Robinson New Mexico Journalist and Historian https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/trail_dust/trail-dust-massai-s-escape-part-of-apache-history/article_360b6cbd-e430-57bb-b4bb-78c70e0b8285.html Article by Marc Simmons New Mexico Historian https://truewestmagazine.com/article/who-is-the-american-indian-massai/ https://www.nps.gov/chir/learn/historyculture/massai-point.htm Massai Point and Plateau https://www.oldpueblo.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/202109opa86_-ApacheWarriorsTellTheirSideToEveBall.pdf Alberta’s interview https://archive.org/details/apachevoicesthei0000robi/page/86/mode/2up?q=massai Apache Voices: Their Stories of Survival as told by Eve Ball, by Sherry Robinson Massai’s stories as told by his daughter, Alberta Begay in 1955. Eugene Chibuabua, who became Massai’s son-in-law, corroborated the account.
The mountain man era is coming to an end — and Joe Meek stands at the crossroads of two worlds. In this episode, we follow Meek as he leaves behind the fading fur trade and journeys west to the Oregon Country, where a new chapter of frontier history is about to unfold. From wilderness trails to political halls, Meek becomes a key figure in shaping the foundations of Oregon’s government and securing its place in the United States.
Join us as the legendary mountain man trades his rifle for a voice in the birth of a state — and helps turn the untamed frontier into the Oregon we know today.
If you enjoy Wild West Deep Dives, please leave a rating and review, it really does help me grow and reach new listeners! I appreciate y'alls support!
God Bless!
Sources;
Joe Meek, The Merry Mountain Man, A Biography, by Stanley Vestal
The River of the West, by Frances Fuller Victor
Joe Meek, Man of the West, by Shannon Garst
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/meek_joseph_l_1810_1875_/
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/joseph-lafayette-meek/
https://medium.com/@TomBremer/joe-meek-in-yellowstone-1829-7f5379293bfa
Article by Thomas S. Bremer
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-williamsublette/
Info on William Sublette
Letitia Carson’s story is one of the most remarkable — and overlooked — chapters in American frontier history. Born into slavery, she became the only Black woman in Oregon to successfully secure a land claim under the Homestead Act. Against prejudice, hardship, and the unforgiving challenges of frontier life, Letitia carved out a lasting legacy of courage, determination, and resilience.In this Wild West Deep Dive, we explore:Letitia Carson’s journey from enslavement to Oregon pioneerHer groundbreaking land claim under the 1862 Homestead ActThe struggles and lawsuits she fought to protect her rightsHow her story reshapes our understanding of the American WestLetitia Carson’s life proves that the frontier was not only about cowboys, outlaws, and gold rushes — it was also about ordinary people who showed extraordinary strength.#LetitiaCarson #WildWestHistory #BlackPioneers #OregonTrail #HomesteadAct #WildWestDeepDives📚 Sources & Research:https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/exhibits/black-history/Pages/families/carson-letitia.aspx (1)https://letitiacarson.oregonstate.edu/letitiacarson/about-letitia-carson (2)Credit for Photos;Portrait of Greenbery Smitho Oregon State Bar™Hardy Eliffo https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27430905/hardy-crier-elliff#view-photo=196591930The Suit Claim and Homestead Act Claimso He put them in the Public Domain for everyone to use (which is awesome!) but I wanted to give him credit anywayso Dr. Robert Zybach, Ph.D.
In this episode, we follow Joe Meek through one of the most emotional chapters of his life. After the brutal aftermath of the Battle of Pierre’s Hole, Joe risks everything to rescue Mountain Lamb — the woman who changed his life and heart. As missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, along with Henry and Eliza Spalding, arrive in the wilds of the Rockies, a new era begins to take shape — one that brings both hope and heartbreak. We’ll explore the tragic death of Mountain Lamb, the profound impact it had on Meek, and how he found strength to start anew with his second marriage.
Join us as we continue the incredible true story of one of the West’s most legendary mountain men — Joe Meek’s resilience, love, and the turning tide of the fur trade.
If you enjoy Wild West Deep Dives, please leave a rating and review, it really does help me grow and reach new listeners! I appreciate y'alls support!
God Bless!
Sources;
Joe Meek, The Merry Mountain Man, A Biography, by Stanley Vestal
The River of the West, by Frances Fuller Victor
Joe Meek, Man of the West, by Shannon Garst
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/meek_joseph_l_1810_1875_/
https://www.history.co.uk/article/remembering-joseph-meek-the-magnificent-mountain-man
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/joseph-lafayette-meek/
https://medium.com/@TomBremer/joe-meek-in-yellowstone-1829-7f5379293bfa
Article by Thomas S. Bremer
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-williamsublette/
Info on William Sublette
In 1913, the quiet mining towns of Utah were shaken by one of the most violent manhunts in American history. Rafael “Red” Lopez—an experienced miner turned outlaw—would unleash chaos after a deadly confrontation that left five lawmen and a civilian dead. Armed with his rifle and an unmatched knowledge of the wilderness, Lopez vanished into the canyons and deserts, evading posses, trackers, and the relentless law for years.This is The Greatest Manhunt in Utah History—a chilling story of bloodshed, betrayal, and survival on the western frontier. Nearly a century later, investigators finally pieced together the truth of Lopez’s disappearance, closing one of the Wild West’s last unresolved mysteries.🔔 Subscribe for more Wild West deep dives into forgotten outlaws, legendary lawmen, and untold frontier stories.#wildwestshootout #utahhistory #manhunt #lawmanvsoutlaw #oldwest #wildwesthistory Photo CreditDeputy George Witbeck, Nephi Jenseno Utah Law Enforcement Memorialo https://www.utahsfallen.org/fallen-officers/deputy-george-o-witbeckSources;o https://www.deseret.com/2012/1/5/20391755/deadliest-utah-law-enforcement-attack-was-in-1913/ o https://www.kennecott-groundbreakers.com/stories/rafael-lopez
Howdy and Welcome Back to Wild West Deep Dives, this week we will dive into Meek's life after the Battle of Pierre's Hole, him rescuing his close friend's (Milton Sublette) wife, a Ba’r fight, Indian fights, the changes that came to the fur trade in 1834 and Joe Meek.. getting womaned.
If you enjoy Wild West Deep Dives, please leave a rating and review, it really does help me grow and reach new listeners! I appreciate y'alls support!
Next week, we will talk about Joe's wife getting captured, Joe meeting Marcus Whitman & Samuel Parker and some more Indian troubles.
God Bless!
Sources;
Joe Meek, The Merry Mountain Man, A Biography, by Stanley Vestal
The River of the West, by Frances Fuller Victor
Joe Meek, Man of the West, by Shannon Garst
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/meek_joseph_l_1810_1875_/
https://www.history.co.uk/article/remembering-joseph-meek-the-magnificent-mountain-man
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/joseph-lafayette-meek/
https://medium.com/@TomBremer/joe-meek-in-yellowstone-1829-7f5379293bfa
Article by Thomas S. Bremer
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-williamsublette/
Info on William Sublette
In the summer of 1832, deep in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, a fragile peace was shattered in the valley known as Pierre’s Hole.
After the 1832 Mountain Man Rendezvous had ended, hundreds of mountain men—Jim Bridger, Alexander Sinclair, Nathaniel Wyeth, Joe Meek, William Sublette, and others—found themselves face-to-face with a massive band of Gros Ventre Astinas. What began as a tense standoff soon erupted into one of the most dramatic and blood-soaked clashes of the fur trade era.
This is the true story of the Battle of Pierre’s Hole — a battle that tested the courage, loyalty, and limits of the mountain men. Featuring figures like the half-breed trapper Antoine Godin and the Flathead allies who rode into the storm beside them, it marked the violent end of an era when the wilderness still ruled the frontier.
Join us as we unravel the myths, reveal the chaos of that fateful day, and tell the real story behind one of the most pivotal fights in the history of the American West.
#MountainMen #FurTrade #BattleOfPierresHole #WildWestDeepDives #JoeMeek #JimBridger #AmericanFrontier #HistoryDocumentary
Sources
Joe Meek, The Merry Mountain Man, A Biography, by Stanley Vestal
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/id-battlepierreshole/ by Hiram Chittenden 1902
https://www.historynet.com/battle-of-pierres-hole/
http://www.mman.us/PierresHoleBattle.htm
Multiple Accounts, Great Source
Joe Meek. Man of the West by Shannon Garst
Sources for Photos
Pierre’s Hole Historical Marker
Howdy and Welcome Back to Wild West Deep Dives, this is Part 4 of our Deep Dive into Joe Meek, this week, we will talk about Ogden and the HBC, some Injun fighting, Fitzpatrick’s fight for life, a quick look into the Battle of Pierre’s Hole and finish with another fight against the Blackfeet.
Next week will be a Special Episode on Pierre's Hole!
Sources;
Joe Meek, The Merry Mountain Man, A Biography, by Stanley Vestal
The River of the West, by Frances Fuller Victor
Joe Meek, Man of the West, by Shannon Garst
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/meek_joseph_l_1810_1875_/
https://www.history.co.uk/article/remembering-joseph-meek-the-magnificent-mountain-man
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/joseph-lafayette-meek/
https://medium.com/@TomBremer/joe-meek-in-yellowstone-1829-7f5379293bfa
Article by Thomas S. Bremer
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-williamsublette/
Info on William Sublette
Howdy and Welcome Back to Wild West Deep Dives. This is Part 3 of our Deep Dive into the life of Joe Meek, this week, we get into the action, we will discuss the daily life of a trapper, some Indian encounters, and really what made Joe Meek the legendary figure that he is today!
Sources;
Joe Meek, The Merry Mountain Man, A Biography, by Stanley Vestal
The River of the West, by Frances Fuller Victor
Joe Meek, Man of the West, by Shannon Garst
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/meek_joseph_l_1810_1875_/
https://www.history.co.uk/article/remembering-joseph-meek-the-magnificent-mountain-man
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/joseph-lafayette-meek/
https://medium.com/@TomBremer/joe-meek-in-yellowstone-1829-7f5379293bfa
Article by Thomas S. Bremer
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-williamsublette/
Info on William Sublette
Howdy and Welcome Back to Wild West Deep Dives, this is Part 2 of our Deep Dive into the Life and Legend of Joe Meek.
In this episode, we follow Joe Meek as he takes his first real steps into the wild frontier. The year was 1829, and the fur trade was booming. Meek joined a company of seasoned mountain men and adventurers, each hungry for profit and eager for glory. Together, they headed toward the famed 1829 Rendezvous—an annual gathering where trappers, traders, and Native nations came together in a spectacle of commerce, revelry, and survival. It was here that Joe Meek learned what it meant to be a trapper, tested his grit against the challenges of the wilderness, and began to build the reputation that would carry him into legend.
Sources;
Joe Meek, The Merry Mountain Man, A Biography, by Stanley Vestal
The River of the West, by Frances Fuller Victor
Joe Meek, Man of the West, by Shannon Garst
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/meek_joseph_l_1810_1875_/
https://www.history.co.uk/article/remembering-joseph-meek-the-magnificent-mountain-man
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/joseph-lafayette-meek/
https://medium.com/@TomBremer/joe-meek-in-yellowstone-1829-7f5379293bfa
Article by Thomas S. Bremer
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-williamsublette/
Info on William Sublette