Category Archives: History

Tom Collins’ Journal

Biographical Note: Tom Collins was the ancestor of a friend of mine, Dave Collins. I spent my early years visiting Dave on his farm farm, eating at his table, and never knew about Tom, until Dave’s house burned down. While … Continue reading

Posted in Civil War, History, Livingston Manor | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Was It Jackson? A Close examination of Capt. Charles H. Weygant’s Mysterious Horseman, May 2d, 1863

WAS IT JACKSON? A Close examination of Capt. Charles H. Weygant’s Mysterious Horseman, May 2d, 1863 By Steve Haas On the evening of May 2, 1863, the 124th New York had a meeting with a group of Confederate horsemen. The … Continue reading

Posted in Civil War, History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

They Did Their Job

“THE MEN MUST SEE US TODAY” Don Troiani Print The 124th New York Volunteers at Houck’s Ridge, Gettysburg, 1863 On the afternoon of July 2, 1863 a titanic struggle took place at Gettysburg between Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s First … Continue reading

Posted in Civil War, History | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Queen Ann Bassett of Brown’s Park

“Queen Ann” of Brown’s Park The autobiography of ANN BASSETT WILLIS From Colorado Magazine, Vol. 29, No. 2 (April 1952): 81-98. Ann Bassett (May 12, 1878 – May 8, 1956), also known as Queen Ann Bassett, was a prominent female … Continue reading

Posted in American West, Colorado, The Wild Bunch | Tagged , , , | 34 Comments

A Personal Interview With Josie Bassett

A PERSONAL INTERVIEW WITH JOSIE BASSETT By Kerry Ross Boren In 1960, just before leaving for a two year study of the motion picture business in California. I was living in Daggett County, Utah, writing articles on western history for … Continue reading

Posted in American West, Colorado | Tagged , , , | 23 Comments

Butch Cassidy’s Return

According to the generally accepted story, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid died in a hail of gunfire after robbing a bank in Bolivia, South America; they were buried there. The fact is, though, that there are numerous accounts of … Continue reading

Posted in American West, History | Tagged , | 2 Comments

California Vigilante Justice, The Clappe Letters, 1851

This is a fascinating article about one mining town and how they took care of a thief: They granted him a respite of three hours to prepare for his sudden entrance into eternity.” Mrs. Louise Clappe was the wife of … Continue reading

Posted in American West, History | Leave a comment

Cowboy Joe – The Last of the Wild Bunch

Cowboy Joe – The Last of the Wild Bunch by Kerry Ross Boren While thumbing through the Letters to the Editor section of my Fall 1992 issue of Old West magazine I was surprised to discover reference from a reader … Continue reading

Posted in American West, History, The Wild Bunch | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

A Thanksgiving Dinner With Butch Cassidy

I have a copy of Ann Bassett’s autobiography on this blog, but if one really wants to get to know Ann Bassett, her sister and the residents of Brown’s park, one needs to read Grace McClure’s excellent and readable book … Continue reading

Posted in American West, History | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Cary Holliday Interview with Etta Place?

I make no claim as to the truth of this interview…but it feels right. Source San Francisco, California June, 1970 Newspapers have me dead twice already—burned up in a house fire and shot by a lover, but I got out … Continue reading

Posted in American West, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments