"It is sometimes amusing to observe the athletic wagoner hurrying an animal to its post--to see him heave upon the halter of a stubborn mule, while the brute as obstinately sets back, determined not to move a peg 'til his own good pleasure thinks it proper to do so--his whole manner seeming to say, "Wait till your hurry's over!" I have seen a driver hitch a harnessed animal to the halter and haul his mulishness forward, while each of his feet would leave a furrow behind until at last the perplexed master would wrathfully exclaim, "A mule will be a mule any way you can fix it."
--Josiah Gregg, Commerce of the Prairies, 1844
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Western Hero Annie Oakley
I have always admired Annie Oakley. Her story is one of survival, and I do like survivors. Annie Oakley was born Phoebe Ann Moses, one of seven children in a Quaker farming family in Ohio. When Annie's father was caught in a blizzard and died of pneumonia, the family was devastated, and poor. Annie taught herself to shoot and hunt with her father's rifle to help feed the family.
Annie's mother sent her to live with another family, hoping she would learn a skill such as sewing to help support herself and her siblings, but the family who took her in did not treat her well and Annie ran away. She knew she was needed at home. She resumed her hunting habits and also sold game animals to other families in the neighborhood. Soon, she was able to use her hunting skills to help pay the mortgage, as well.
In 1875, Annie made history by participating in a Thanksgiving Day shooting contest against Irish immigrant Frank Butler. Butler was so impressed with the bold young woman that he proposed marriage. She eventually became part of his traveling show, and the two joined Buffalo Bill Cody's show.
In her later years, Annie endured a tremendous amount of criticism and she fought hard for her good reputation, filing numerous lawsuits to protect her name. It was a stressful and painful struggle, but Oakley was always stronger than her opponents and eventually won the battle.
Annie Oakley and her husband, Frank Butler, remained madly in love with each other their entire lives and died within two weeks of each other, a true Wild West love story. For more information on the life of Annie Oakley and her relationship with Frank Butler, you can read my biography of Annie Oakley at Suite101.com.
American Experience is also showing a biography of Annie Oakley on January 31 and I highly recommend this show, as well. There is always a tremendous amount of detailed historical information available on the American Experience website to help you prepare for the show. American Experience also has a Facebook page where you can interact with other Wild West fans to discuss the program before and after. Tune in and enjoy!
Annie's mother sent her to live with another family, hoping she would learn a skill such as sewing to help support herself and her siblings, but the family who took her in did not treat her well and Annie ran away. She knew she was needed at home. She resumed her hunting habits and also sold game animals to other families in the neighborhood. Soon, she was able to use her hunting skills to help pay the mortgage, as well.
In 1875, Annie made history by participating in a Thanksgiving Day shooting contest against Irish immigrant Frank Butler. Butler was so impressed with the bold young woman that he proposed marriage. She eventually became part of his traveling show, and the two joined Buffalo Bill Cody's show.
In her later years, Annie endured a tremendous amount of criticism and she fought hard for her good reputation, filing numerous lawsuits to protect her name. It was a stressful and painful struggle, but Oakley was always stronger than her opponents and eventually won the battle.
Annie Oakley and her husband, Frank Butler, remained madly in love with each other their entire lives and died within two weeks of each other, a true Wild West love story. For more information on the life of Annie Oakley and her relationship with Frank Butler, you can read my biography of Annie Oakley at Suite101.com.
American Experience is also showing a biography of Annie Oakley on January 31 and I highly recommend this show, as well. There is always a tremendous amount of detailed historical information available on the American Experience website to help you prepare for the show. American Experience also has a Facebook page where you can interact with other Wild West fans to discuss the program before and after. Tune in and enjoy!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Custer's Last Stand on American Experience
In addition to my love of the Wild West, I'm also a big fan of classic films and Western movies. I've watched quite a few movies on General George Armstrong Custer over the years, including my favorite, the 1991 film Son of the Morning Star. The script for Son of the Morning Star was written by Melissa Mathison, actor Harrison Ford's wife, who attempted to show the story from the perspective of the people who were closely involved in Custer's life, including his wife, Elizabeth Bacon Custer, or Libby.
However, in order to fully understand the many fictional portrayals, I believe it is important to study the historical facts, which is one of the many reasons why I am recommending the American Experience episode Custer's Last Stand, premiering January 17, 2012 at 8/7c on PBS. American Experience has a tradition of providing detailed, factual information on historical events. They also provide essays, videos, and other resources on the America Experience website.
For those of you unfamiliar with his story, General George Armstrong Custer was the son of an Ohio blacksmith. Many historians have stated that Custer was embarrassed by his humble origins. My own ancestors are from Ohio and they played various roles in the function of small Ohio towns. I would hope that they were proud of their contributions to their communities. They were not wealthy, but their jobs were vital to the success of the town, as was that of a blacksmith.
Custer, however, seemed to view his father's job the way many view the job of an auto repairmen--hard, dirty work with low pay--without understanding the importance of transportation to the rest of the community. His personal opinion of his family's "station" in the community contributed to his own ambitious approach to life. Custer was determined to become famous, and at this, he did succeed.
Custer attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York and fought bravely during the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. When the building of the railroads created conflicts with the Cheyenne and Arapaho, the now-famous Custer was commanded to follow the Indians through their territory. At one point, he became so frustrated by this task that he left his soldiers and dashed home to spend one day alone with his true love, his wife, Libby. He was court martialed and suspended, but redeemed himself--in the eyes of the Army--with the brutal attack on the Cheyenne in 1868 and the slaughter of over 100 women and children. In 1874, he was sent into the Black Hills on a survey expedition. The beginning of the end of Custer's story.
On June 26, 1876, General George Armstrong Custer and 261 soldiers of the Seventh Cavalry were killed by Cheyenne and Lakota warriors. The battle took place along the Little Bighorn River in Montana Territory. There is no beauty in war, and sadly, this horrific moment, his moment of death, known as Custer's Last Stand, would secure General George Armstrong Custer's name in the history books. The details of this event are still a mystery, disputed to this day.
Custer's Last Stand is a two hour American Experience biography of General George Armstrong Custer, exploring every aspect of his life, from his early years in Ohio to his heroism during the American Civil War, his controversial, brutal treatment of Indians of the American southern plains, and his exploits in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
For more information on Custer's Last Stand visit these education resources:
An Introduction to Custer's Last Stand on the American Experience website.
Preview of Custer's Last Stand.
Timeline of Custer's Last Stand.
Photo gallery of Custer's Last Stand.
Visit American Experience on Facebook.
However, in order to fully understand the many fictional portrayals, I believe it is important to study the historical facts, which is one of the many reasons why I am recommending the American Experience episode Custer's Last Stand, premiering January 17, 2012 at 8/7c on PBS. American Experience has a tradition of providing detailed, factual information on historical events. They also provide essays, videos, and other resources on the America Experience website.
For those of you unfamiliar with his story, General George Armstrong Custer was the son of an Ohio blacksmith. Many historians have stated that Custer was embarrassed by his humble origins. My own ancestors are from Ohio and they played various roles in the function of small Ohio towns. I would hope that they were proud of their contributions to their communities. They were not wealthy, but their jobs were vital to the success of the town, as was that of a blacksmith.
Custer, however, seemed to view his father's job the way many view the job of an auto repairmen--hard, dirty work with low pay--without understanding the importance of transportation to the rest of the community. His personal opinion of his family's "station" in the community contributed to his own ambitious approach to life. Custer was determined to become famous, and at this, he did succeed.
Custer attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York and fought bravely during the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. When the building of the railroads created conflicts with the Cheyenne and Arapaho, the now-famous Custer was commanded to follow the Indians through their territory. At one point, he became so frustrated by this task that he left his soldiers and dashed home to spend one day alone with his true love, his wife, Libby. He was court martialed and suspended, but redeemed himself--in the eyes of the Army--with the brutal attack on the Cheyenne in 1868 and the slaughter of over 100 women and children. In 1874, he was sent into the Black Hills on a survey expedition. The beginning of the end of Custer's story.
On June 26, 1876, General George Armstrong Custer and 261 soldiers of the Seventh Cavalry were killed by Cheyenne and Lakota warriors. The battle took place along the Little Bighorn River in Montana Territory. There is no beauty in war, and sadly, this horrific moment, his moment of death, known as Custer's Last Stand, would secure General George Armstrong Custer's name in the history books. The details of this event are still a mystery, disputed to this day.
Custer's Last Stand is a two hour American Experience biography of General George Armstrong Custer, exploring every aspect of his life, from his early years in Ohio to his heroism during the American Civil War, his controversial, brutal treatment of Indians of the American southern plains, and his exploits in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
For more information on Custer's Last Stand visit these education resources:
An Introduction to Custer's Last Stand on the American Experience website.
Preview of Custer's Last Stand.
Timeline of Custer's Last Stand.
Photo gallery of Custer's Last Stand.
Visit American Experience on Facebook.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Little Britches Rodeo
When I was a child growing up in Littleton, Colorado, I boarded my first horse at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. I also spent a great deal of time watching the other kids prepare and participate in the Little Britches Rodeo. Though I never had the money required for training and competition, it was just as much fun for me to watch and learn.
The Little Britches Rodeo was started in 1952 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and I don't know if this is true, but I always assumed it was named for the most famous book by author Ralph Moody, who wrote Little Britches about his childhood years spent in Littleton, Colorado.
According to the Little Britches Rodeo national website, the rodeo operated as a single, yearly event until 1961 when a national convention was held in Denver with representatives from numerous states where they organized a national youth rodeo association.
The National Little Britches Rodeo Association now oversees rodeos in 16 states where over 2000 children from the ages of 5 to 18, from 21 states, participate each year in 275 Little Britches rodeos. They compete for saddles, buckles, gift certificates, and even college scholarships. The rodeos are now organized so that even children on limited budgets can participate, which is what I find so appealing.
Many famous rodeo champions started their careers at the Little Britches Rodeos. Ty Murray, for instance, who won seven world all-around championships in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, got his start with the Little Britches Rodeos. Butch and Rope Myers, Kristie Peterson, Cody DeMoss and many other rodeo greats started with the Little Britches.
The National Little Britches Finals Rodeo takes place over six days in Pueblo, at the Colorado State Fairgrounds and generally involves over 700 competitors, 3000 rides and runs, and 30 championships. The Finals Rodeo also has a Royalty Pageant, rodeo clinics, nightly dances, and is just plain good old fashioned Western fun.
Over the past few weeks I've been watching the Little Britches Rodeo 2010 Finals on television. I particularly enjoyed the barrel racing events and the children replicating the riders of the Pony Express. The skill, determination and talent in these children never ceases to amaze me. If you have never been to a rodeo, the Little Britches Rodeos are a good place to start. For more information on competitions or how to volunteer or donate, take a look at their website.
The Little Britches Rodeo was started in 1952 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and I don't know if this is true, but I always assumed it was named for the most famous book by author Ralph Moody, who wrote Little Britches about his childhood years spent in Littleton, Colorado.
According to the Little Britches Rodeo national website, the rodeo operated as a single, yearly event until 1961 when a national convention was held in Denver with representatives from numerous states where they organized a national youth rodeo association.
The National Little Britches Rodeo Association now oversees rodeos in 16 states where over 2000 children from the ages of 5 to 18, from 21 states, participate each year in 275 Little Britches rodeos. They compete for saddles, buckles, gift certificates, and even college scholarships. The rodeos are now organized so that even children on limited budgets can participate, which is what I find so appealing.
Many famous rodeo champions started their careers at the Little Britches Rodeos. Ty Murray, for instance, who won seven world all-around championships in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, got his start with the Little Britches Rodeos. Butch and Rope Myers, Kristie Peterson, Cody DeMoss and many other rodeo greats started with the Little Britches.
The National Little Britches Finals Rodeo takes place over six days in Pueblo, at the Colorado State Fairgrounds and generally involves over 700 competitors, 3000 rides and runs, and 30 championships. The Finals Rodeo also has a Royalty Pageant, rodeo clinics, nightly dances, and is just plain good old fashioned Western fun.
Over the past few weeks I've been watching the Little Britches Rodeo 2010 Finals on television. I particularly enjoyed the barrel racing events and the children replicating the riders of the Pony Express. The skill, determination and talent in these children never ceases to amaze me. If you have never been to a rodeo, the Little Britches Rodeos are a good place to start. For more information on competitions or how to volunteer or donate, take a look at their website.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Billy the Kid on AMERICAN EXPERIENCE--Review
As a fan of American history, I have enjoyed watching the programming on the PBS series American Experience since it first started in 1988. The research for these shows is amazing, and I like the fact that the research is displayed on their website, as well.
On January 10, 2012, American Experience premiered Billy the Kid to kick off their Wild West series. The show is now available for viewing on their website here.
Honestly, considering all of the preliminary material available on the website and the detailed history provided during the program, I was impressed by the entire package. I did not feel the show glorified a bad guy, I do not believe it slandered a Western hero. I believe it provided an honest glimpse into the life of an angry young man who felt trapped by his circumstances, from his early days living with his mother in New York slums to the only existing photograph of Billy the Kid, a tintype that recently sold in Colorado for $2.3 million, which is discussed in an earlier post on this blog.
The show also included interviews with historians and researchers/writers, as well as some amazing footage of Lincoln County, New Mexico in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest.
Among the many resources available on American Experience, the website provides a Teacher's Guide to Billy the Kid, which suggests using the material as a jump off point to discuss a variety of topics, including Westward expansion and the American frontier. The website also has a photo gallery titled The Golden Age of the American Cowboy; a list of related books and websites; a timeline of events in the life of Billy the Kid; and an essay on "The Pardoning of Billy the Kid."
I highly recommend this show for its entertainment value and as an educational tool.
On January 10, 2012, American Experience premiered Billy the Kid to kick off their Wild West series. The show is now available for viewing on their website here.
Honestly, considering all of the preliminary material available on the website and the detailed history provided during the program, I was impressed by the entire package. I did not feel the show glorified a bad guy, I do not believe it slandered a Western hero. I believe it provided an honest glimpse into the life of an angry young man who felt trapped by his circumstances, from his early days living with his mother in New York slums to the only existing photograph of Billy the Kid, a tintype that recently sold in Colorado for $2.3 million, which is discussed in an earlier post on this blog.
The show also included interviews with historians and researchers/writers, as well as some amazing footage of Lincoln County, New Mexico in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest.
Among the many resources available on American Experience, the website provides a Teacher's Guide to Billy the Kid, which suggests using the material as a jump off point to discuss a variety of topics, including Westward expansion and the American frontier. The website also has a photo gallery titled The Golden Age of the American Cowboy; a list of related books and websites; a timeline of events in the life of Billy the Kid; and an essay on "The Pardoning of Billy the Kid."
I highly recommend this show for its entertainment value and as an educational tool.
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Pardoning of Billy the Kid
The Pardoning of Billy the Kid is now on the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE website. This is one of the most interesting articles I've read on the Billy the Kid story--highly recommend reading.
The 60 minute show Billy the Kid premieres on January 10, 2012, at 9/8 C on PBS, to kick off a
month-long AMERICAN EXPERIENCE "Wild West" collection. I have more information on the show in my blog posts from January 4 and 8 below. This is Wild West history, folks, and you do not want to miss it. So tie up your horse, hang your cowboy hat on the rack by the door, relax for awhile and enjoy the show. I know I'll be watching it, and I'll be watching the rest of their Wild West series, too!
The 60 minute show Billy the Kid premieres on January 10, 2012, at 9/8 C on PBS, to kick off a
month-long AMERICAN EXPERIENCE "Wild West" collection. I have more information on the show in my blog posts from January 4 and 8 below. This is Wild West history, folks, and you do not want to miss it. So tie up your horse, hang your cowboy hat on the rack by the door, relax for awhile and enjoy the show. I know I'll be watching it, and I'll be watching the rest of their Wild West series, too!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Billy the Kid Preview on AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
The preview for Billy the Kid, scheduled to air on January 10, 2012, is now available on the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE website. The website includes a detailed introduction to the life of Billy the Kid, the preview, behind the scenes information on the cast and crew, and a place where you can interact with other Wild West fans and share your story about your favorite western heroes. Billy the Kid kicks off an entire series of Wild West shows on AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, so stay tuned...
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