This episode is from the 3 Part Series I did on Indian Territory, so if you hear, in the last episode or next episode, that is why but it focuses on the Five Civilized Tribes — the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek), Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole. Each nation had its own customs, traditions, and ways of life, and to avoid confusion, we examine each tribe individually rather than blending their stories together.While many of their experiences followed similar patterns — treaties, land loss, and forced removal — this episode focuses on the unique hardships each tribe endured and the paths that ultimately led them west. Although some removals occurred before 1830, the primary focus is on the events following the Indian Removal Act and the forced relocation of these nations to what would become Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma.After that, I dive into why Indian Territory became so lawless, some famous Gangs & Outlaws and the Lawmen tasked with bringing Law to the Lawless Frontier.#IndianTerritory #Cherokeehistory #Muscogeehistory #Chickasawhistory #choctawhistory #semniolehistory #fivecivilizedtribes

In this deep dive, we explore the violent and often overlooked story of the Horrell Brothers—a family whose actions helped ignite one of the bloodiest chapters on the Texas and New Mexico frontier, years before Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War became household names.From Lampasas County, Texas, to Lincoln County, New Mexico, this episode traces a brutal trail of gunfights, ambushes, cattle theft, frontier justice, and full-scale feuds. We break down the Horrell War in New Mexico, the deadly shootouts with lawmen, and the escalating conflict with Pink Higgins that turned neighbors into enemies and towns into battlefields. Using firsthand accounts, period newspapers, and historical records, this episode examines how weak law, personal grudges, and reputation fueled a war before the war—and why the Horrell Brothers became symbols of how quickly violence could spiral out of control in the Old West.This has to be one of my favorite episodes I have ever done and I really hope y'all enjoy it! God Bless!#WildWest #OldWestHistory #TheHorrellBrothers #LincolnCountyWar #FrontierJustice #TexasHistory #NewMexicoHistory #WesternHistory #Gunfights #Outlaws #Feuds #CattleWars #BeforeBillyTheKid #TrueWest #ForgottenHistorySources for Research;https://www.legendsofamerica.com/tx-horrellbrothers/https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/horrell-higgins-feud By; C.L. Sonnichsenhttps://www.truewestmagazine.com/article/the-horrell-brothers-revenge/ Article by Mark Boardman https://www.nmlincolncountyhistoricalsociety.com/horrellwar By Walter Earl Pittmanhttps://digitalrepository.unm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1703&context=nmhr The Horrell War By PJ RaschThe Story of the Outlaw By; Emerson Hough Silver City Mining Life 20 December, 1873Santa Fe Weekly New Mexican January 26, 1869Journal of the Senate of Texas By F.L. Britton to Edmund J. Davishttps://www.truewestmagazine.com/article/bold-and-lethal/ Article by Kenyon BennettSources for PhotosLincoln, New MexicoWatson House. Courtesy of Palace of the Governors Photo Archives (NMHM/DCA), No. 105473Photos of Martin & SamuelPhotos of Mark & Wash ShortFind a GraveAll photos of LampasasFrom Lampasas County Museum; https://www.lampasas.org/246/History-of-Lampasas“Cattle Rustlers” by Frederic Remingtonhttps://centerofthewest.org/catalogs/remington/?view_id=3051 Edmund J. Davishttps://txfgm.org/governors/edmund-j-davis-1870-1874/ F.L. Brittonhttps://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/britton-frank-l Travis County Jail1876 Travis County Jail, jailor’s residence, and Courthouse Photo No. C00610b, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library https://traviscountyhistory.org/online-exhibits/law-and-lawlessness/ Georgetown Jailhttps://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth497012/ Fort Stantonhttps://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-fortstanton/

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and holiday season!

Frank Grouard lived one of the most complicated lives of the American West. Born in the South Pacific, captured by the Lakota, adopted into their world, and later serving as one of General George Crook’s most trusted scouts, Grouard stood at the center of some of the most pivotal moments of the Indian Wars.In this episode, we explore Frank Grouard’s full journey — from his early life and years living among the Lakota, to his role as an Army scout during major campaigns like the Battle of the Rosebud, Slim Buttes, and beyond. We also tackle the controversial questions that still surround his legacy, including his connection to the Custer disaster and the debated role he may have played in the events leading to the death of Crazy Horse.Drawing heavily from contemporary accounts, newspaper reports, and Grouard’s own words as recorded by Joseph DeBarthe, this episode doesn’t attempt to label Grouard as hero or traitor. Instead, it lays out the evidence, the contradictions, and the perspectives from all sides — and lets you decide.Frank Grouard’s story is one of survival, loyalty, betrayal, and impossible choices on a frontier that rarely offered clear answers.If you enjoy deep, carefully researched stories from the American West, make sure to like, subscribe, and share. New episodes every week.Sources for ResearchThe Life and Adventures of Frank Grouard By Joe DeBarthe https://archive.org/details/lifeandadventure00debarich/page/n37/mode/2up https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/frank-grouard-silent-man-plains By Nancy Tabbhttps://sheridanmedia.com/news/179731/history-frank-grouard-chief-of-scouts/ Collection of Newspaper reports on Frank Grouardhttps://www.historynet.com/death-crazy-horse-fables-forensics/ Death of Crazy Horse By John Kosterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnP6iHb35bo Wyoming State Museum, Frank’s possible RevolverSources for PhotosRosebud Battlefield Site Magicpiano