From Skagway, this 45 mile trail to the Klondike witnessed the worst inhumane treatment of horses, mules and oxen. Over 3000 horses packed supplies and miners to Lake Bennett before being abandoned to die. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Klondike was the "big stampede on 1897". Thousands left Dyea and Skagway to began the "big climb," 1000 feet up the Golden Staircase to the summit, some never made it, buried by an avalanche. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The gun wizard made his first gun at age 13, invented the lever action, pump, gas operated machine gun, semi-automatic pistol, belt fed machine gun, 37 mm cannon, BAR and more. He had 128 patents with guns considered mechanical engineering marvels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Hamer was a Texas Ranger, expert rifleman, hunter and tracker. He engaged in 52 gun battles, put away 21 bad guys, trailed Bonnie and Clyde and was there when they met their fate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Communication was essential for military success. The heliograph, a device with moveable mirrors, was used on strategic mountain tops to help the Army follow the movements of Geronimo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He captured the "real authentic" west with his paintings, illustrations and sculptures. He loved horses, dogs, good cigars, was well liked and could drink anyone under the table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Millions of cattle were rounded up in Texas and driven as far as Montana, California and Missouri. Cowboys, Indians, stampedes and ticks carrying "Texas Fever" were all part of the challenge of getting to the end of the trail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two young men headed West, they worked together learning how to be cowboys. They crossed paths many times, the last found them standing together on the gallows, one was to hang. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No longer a slave, he traveled West and became a trusted important partner in the Loving and Goodnight cattle business. He fought Indians, trailed herds, survived stampedes, raised a family and was honored in the the Texas Trail of Fame and Cowboy Hall of Fame. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Well respected and wise, he would sing, chant and dance to invoke the "Great Spirit". Herbs, roots, and blossoms were used as well as sweat baths and cold plunges . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For seven years, Robinson, Hoback and Reznor trapped the Missouri, Snake and Madison Rivers and served as guides for the overland Astorians. Their dream of returning to Kentucky ended with their death on the Boise River. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Buckley, "Coal Oil Jimmy", was a cold blooded killer. With partner Tom Taylor, they robbed stage coaches until two cowboys collected the $1200 reward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Flogging, solitary confinement, time in the guardhouse or strapped to a ball and chain, punishment could be severe. Deserters often took army property and were seldom caught. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Win or lose, most gamblers never quit, with only a few managing to keep their wealth. Silent Sam won one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in one card game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The horse thieves thought they got away, but they didn't count on expert tracker George Goodhart. By using tact and being quick with a gun, George had never killed any of those he arrested. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous song, "Christmas Bells" and how "Silent Night" came to be written and sung. Gate 67 and a Montana Christmas, two examples of the true spirit of Christmas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corn husk dolls, carved toys, knitted scarves and mittens, a small tree covered with popcorn and cranberries, and the food. A fat goose, roast elk and buffalo, smoked tongue, chokeberry preserves, blackberry duff, what a feast for family and friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

He was a "road" rancher, prospector, horse trader, blacksmith, merchant, civic leader and vigilante. He didn't make a fortune, but was known a "Mister Montana". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a daring female physician, she overcame prejudice and hardship to pave the way for others. She never refused a call, braving storms, floods and other obstacles to serve those in need. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who was this beautiful well dressed young woman and how did her lifeless body end up in the river? Miners and Indians came together to give her a proper funeral. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some unlucky miners tried their luck at robbing stagecoaches. They didn't count on Nevada City marshal Steve Vernard and his trusty Henry rifle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The treaty was supposed to say, "Camas Prairie", not "Kansas Prairie", which led the Bannock Indians to revolt. An eye witness to the battle described how Chief Buffalo Horn was killed and the battle was over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dirty, dangerous and slow, thousands traveled by stage. Despite robbers, Indians and narrow roads, the real terror was accidents, sometimes caused by careless drivers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Indians attacked the freight wagon, the military escort abandoned Joe and Mac. Muleskinner Joe held off the attack as Mac rode for help, but would they get there in time? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Known as the "King of Bears", Idaho Jack was big, smart and dangerous. Swartz didn't want to kill this legend; he wanted to outsmart and capture him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He was the blacksmith at the Rock Creek Station and rumored to be a horse thief. A detective found enough evidence, so it was decided that Dave Simpson must hang. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whipsaw, an old trapper, took in a captive 2 year old Pawnee Indian boy. Named “Little Cayuse” he had an acute sense of alertness that enabled him to warn of approaching danger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1900 miles of bandits, Indians, blizzards and deserts were challenges faced by these daring and brave young men. A financial failure, it lasted only 18 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chilcoot Pass was the route many miners took to the gold fields. They carried the required 2000 pounds of supplies and had their own form of justice for thieves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1851 the Grosh brothers discovered the Comstock Lode. This led to the greatest Nevada boomtown ever, Virginia City. Huge veins of silver and gold produced millions for many of the owners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Harry Longabaugh, alias Bob Evans, Tex McGraf or Hiram Bebee, he fought for Pancho Villa, served in World War I, joined a gang with John Dillinger, Machine Gun Kelly, and Pretty Boy Floyd. After killing Marshal Lon Larsen in Utah, he died in 1955 in the Utah State Prison. Was this the real "Sundance Kid"? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...…

Were Butch and Sundance killed in Bolivia? Not according to his sister Lulu, his father, his brothers and more witnesses who met him long after he was supposed to have been killed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The outlaw years, robbing banks in Telluride, Montpelier, Castle Gate, the UP train and Winnemucca. Butch, Sundance and Etta Place left for South America to try to begin a new life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Born Robert Leroy Parker, his grandparents left England, joined a Mormon handcart company and settled in Southern Utah. Oldest child of Maxi and Annie Parker, Butch met outlaw Mike Cassidy and began his career as a bank robber and outlaw. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

A land rush was an exciting race to claim a lot in a new town. The general store, or "shebang", was the life of the town, where goods could be purchased, including prefabricated homes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a rifle, six-shooter, ammunition, horse and blanket, these men faced some of the worst outlaws. The pay was poor, some rode both sides of the law, but most were faithful brave men doing their job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Towns by the thousands sprang up across the west, some prospered and grew. They attracted butchers, bakers, merchants, doctors, but the editor of the newspaper was most important. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He spent time in jail for cattle rustling and robbing a bank. So how did this man become President of the very bank he helped rob, and became a stalwart citizen? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Violence was not uncommon in the small gold rush towns, but the Triskett Gang were thieves and murderers. Frontier justice put an end to their rein of terror. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fires, snags, sand bars and exploding boilers were just some of the dangers for steamboats on the treacherous Missouri River. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The outlaw horse had never been ridden and had killed two men. The pride of the ranch depended on Shorty and his bronc riding ability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Setting broken bones, gunshot wounds, amputations, appendectomies, tracheotomies and even brain surgery was performed by skilled surgeons in the homes of pioneers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He was handsome, pleasant, a perfect gentleman but deadly with a six-gun. He rode both sides of the law, rustled a few cows, killed a few cowboys and died the way he lived. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steamboat races on the Sacramento River was a popular pastime. The captains would do anything to win, including ramming and shooting at the the other boat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who was this man and how did he become petrified? Is it General Meagher or Antelope Charley? This rare specimen made a lot of money for the owners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malee, daughter of a Creek Indian Chief, was known as Florida's Pocahontas after saving the life of a soldier. She was the only woman in US history to be awarded a special medal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Salt beef, salt pork, beans, bread, hardtack, cornmeal mush all washed down with black coffee and they did their own cooking. Food shortages were common, along with moldy, rancid and spoiled meat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lost Creek Mine seemed to bring nothing but bad luck and for some a curse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vaughan was a mix of gunplay, murder, livestock rustling and occasionally a good citizen. The old gunfighter's body, scarred by thirteen bullet wounds, died falling off a horse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Captain John Gunnison was on a surveying mission in Utah Territory. A wagon train of Missourians, determined to kill Indians, and Pahvant Indians bent on revenge ended in tragic death on both sides, including Gunnison. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices