When explorer John C. Fremont went West in the summer of 1842, he charted territory across Wyoming’s Wind River Mountains, where he famously planted the American flag on one of the range’s peaks, today known as Fremont Peak.
– FREMONT LITHOGRAPH COURTESY LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/WIND RIVER RANGE TRUE WEST ARCHIVES -
On September 13, 2001, two days after a horrific attack of terrorism tore at the core of our nation, I did what other Americans did: Got up and went to work. On this day, doing research for a book and a True West article, I drove through the Colorado Rockies, visiting ghost towns and still-vibrant communities. I stepped into a small chapel in Cripple Creek at noon to pray with people I did not know for a nation still reeling from the attacks of 9/11.
In the afternoon, I drove to the top of Pikes Peak. I had never been there. I had dutifully listened to the warning given at the base of the mountains: Be careful on the descent. Don’t use your brakes too much; they could get hot and give out. It is a steep road.
At the top of the mountain, I left my car to take in the grandeur. It felt like I had the entire mountain to myself; the wind buffeted, but the view inspired. This was where America’s anthem was penned. This mountain was where explorer/adventurer Zebulon Pike had come in 1806, the first Euro-American to trod the rocky landscape. This was where the ancestors of my dear friend, Northern Ute spiritual leader Clifford Duncan, came for sustenance and ceremony.
Esta historia es de la edición November 2020 de True West.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 2020 de True West.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
FIREARMS COLT WALKER 47
THE LEGENDARY HANDGUN THAT REALLY WON THE WEST
HERITAGE TRAVE
THE AMERICAN WEST IN ALL ITS GLORY OUR ANNUAL FAVORITES LIST CELEBRATES DESTINATIONS ACROSS THE WESTERN UNITED STATES.
Wild Turkey, and Not the Drinkin' Kind
The actual bird was a favorite of pioneers.
THE PASSION PROJECTS OF THE MODERN WESTERN
A YEAR OF UNDERRATED EXCELLENCE
WESTERN BOOKS THEN AND NOW
THE STATE OF WESTERN HISTORY AND FICTION PUBLISHING IN 2024 IS ONE OF GRIT AND DETERMINATION.
SAMUEL WALKER VALIANT WARRIOR
While a prisoner at the castle of Perote, Walker was put to work raising a flagpole. At the bottom of the hole, Walker placed a Yankee dime, vowing to someday come back and retrieve it, at the same time exacting revenge on his Mexican captors. In the summer of 1847, when Walker's mounted riflemen returned and routed Santa Anna's guerillas, the young captain kept his promise and got his dime back.
THE BATTLE OF CENTRALIA
ON September 27, 1864, Bloody Bill Anderson and about 80 men took over the small railroad village of Centralia, looting stores and discovering a barrel of whiskey that they hauled out into the street. Wild enough when sober, they soon were roaring drunk.
THE MAN WHO SHOOTS THE WEST
Jay Dusard is a living American photographer who has made Arizona his home for over 60 years, seeing it first in 1960 on a visit, moving here for good in 1963.
A TRUE WESTERNER INDEED PHIL SPANGENBERGER 1940-2024
Spangenberger had Nevada trained to bow by the legendary horse trainer, Glenn Randall, who trained Roy Rogers' Trigger, Gene Autry's Champion, Rex Allen's Koko and the Ben Hur chariot horses, among other great equines.
Where Did the Loot Go? - This is one of those find the money stories. And it's one that has attracted treasure hunters for more than 150 years.
Whatever happened to the $97,000 from the Reno Gang's last heist? Up to a dozen members of the Reno Gang stopped a Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis train at a watering station in southern Indiana. The outlaws had prior intelligence about its main load: express car safes held about $97,000 in government bonds and notes. In the process of the job, one of the crew was killed and two others hurt. The gang made a clean getaway with the loot.
