The Tule River War of 1856 was one of California’s most misunderstood frontier conflicts—born from rumor, fear, and a rush to violence rather than clear facts. In the foothills of the southern San Joaquin Valley, Yokuts warriors built a fortified stronghold along the North Fork of the Tule River, using rock, brush, and rugged terrain to create a defensive position that stunned the volunteer militias who came looking for them. What followed was not a clean battle between armies, but a chaotic clash between an organized Indigenous defense and a disorganized mob of settlers armed with rifles, rumors, and exaggerated claims of stolen cattle and massacres.This episode traces the war from its earliest spark through the repeated failed assaults on the Yokuts’ fort—later known as Battle Mountain—examining how volunteer leaders like Foster DeMasters and Sheriff W.G. Poindexter struggled against terrain, discipline, and reality itself. We also follow the lesser-known but deeply troubling side stories: the attack by a small settler party on a separate Yokuts camp, the spread of panic that led miners to fortify towns that were never truly threatened, and the eventual arrival of the U.S. Army, which found much of the supposed uprising simply did not exist.Drawing from multiple contemporary sources, military reports, and firsthand accounts, this video separates myth from fact and shows how the Tule River War ended not with victory, but displacement, retaliation, and long-term devastation for the Yokuts people. It’s a story of how frontier violence escalated through misinformation—and how one of California’s largest Native populations was pushed closer to collapse in the aftermath of a war that never needed to happen.If you want to hear more stories from the Old West, make sure to Subscribe and click that Bell Notification, also, please check out the Wild West Deep Dives Spotify, I have an 8-part Series on the Legendary Lawmen Bass Reeves & the Jolly Mountain Man Joe Meek.Spotify link; https://open.spotify.com/show/1EgStxXLcoJQpkmDZ8ijGt?si=4df74c69a6014f7d#oldwesthistory #wildwesthistory #westernhistory #oldwestbattles #westernbattles #tuleriverwarSources for Researchhttps://www.historynet.com/the-tule-river-war/?f The Indian War on Tule River Written by George W. Stewart https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7bc636q0 History of Tulare and Kings Counties California Chapter 2; ‘Indian War of 1856’ “For an account of this we are principally indebted to Stephen Barton, writing in 1874, when the principal actors in the drama were still alive and he had every opportunity to obtain an accurate version of the matter. Additional facts secured through the researches of George W. Stewart in 1884, are linked in with narrative which we present here.” By; Eugene L. Menefee and Fred A. Dodgehttps://www.newman-museum.org/articles/yokut-indian-tribe Unveiling the Legacy of the Yokut Indians near Newman, Californiahttps://www.legendsofamerica.com/yokuts-indians/ History of the Yokuts Kathy Alexanderhttps://www.legendsofamerica.com/treaty-of-guadalupe-hidalgo/ Treat of Guadalupe Hidalgohttps://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1081 California Gold Rush https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/Native_Peoples_Map_Brochure_2020.pdfSources for Photos/LinksJames W. Marshall California State Library 2005-0686Native American and Spanish Contact https://www.californiaadaptationforum.org/2018/03/30/untold-history-the-survival-of-californias-indians/Mountain Howitzer Mafiag, CC; 3.0Battle Mountain Photograph Photographed by Lester J LetsonBattle Mountain Historical Marker Photographed by Lester J LetsonBattle Mountain https://californiarevealed.org/do/10a27d13-f57e-4eba-8b05-b8d543ea4a6e#page/1San Joaquin Valley On^ste82; CC; 3.0

In 1860, one of the most brutal and least-known disasters on the Oregon Trail unfolded along the Snake River. This is the true story of the Utter–Van Ornum Massacre—a nightmare of ambush, starvation, captivity, and desperate survival that rivaled even the Donner Party in terror and loss. Forty-four emigrants set out for Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Only fifteen would live to tell what happened.In this deep dive, we uncover the full timeline of the massacre, the breakdown of the wagon train, the multi-day battle against Shoshone and Bannock warriors, and the horrific escape that followed. We explore the ten-day march of starving survivors, the separations, the rescues that came too late, and the heart-wrenching fate of the Van Ornum children. We also examine the conflicting survivor accounts, including Joseph Myers’s controversial stories and Emeline Trimble’s later testimony that reshaped how historians understand the event.This episode pieces together military reports, survivor narratives, newspaper accounts, and historical research to tell one of the most shocking and forgotten tragedies of the American West.If you’re interested in Oregon Trail history, frontier warfare, Native American history, survival stories, or lost tales of the Old West, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell for more Wild West Deep Dives.Check out Wild West Deep Dives on Youtube; https://youtu.be/FWEJz8-z4rM?si=3m71xLBWJoOd8IVx#Oregontrailmassacre #trailmassacre #oregontrail #wildwest #oldwest #frontierhistory #pioneerhistory #pioneerstoriesMain Sources for Research;https://www.oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/historical-records/snake-river-massacre-account-by-one-of-the-survivors/ Article from the Oregon Argus, 24th of November, 1860Massacre on the Oregon Trail in the Year 1860 (2) A Tale of Horror, Cannibalism & Three Remarkable Children By Carl P. Schlicke https://www.washingtonhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/01-1_Schlicke-1.pdf https://npshistory.com/publications/oreg/c-v1n1-1987.pdf https://www.legendsofamerica.com/utter-van-ornum-massacre-idaho/https://www.truewestmagazine.com/article/abducted By Terry A. Del Benehttps://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/fort-laramie-treaty Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868https://history.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/0233.pdfLinks for PhotosThe Site of where they buried; Alexis Van Ornum, Marcus Van Ornum, Mrs. Abigail Van Ornum, two of the Utter boys, and a young man named Samuel Gleason.- Photos by; Ken LundSioux Reservation Map- Kmusser‘Circle the Wagons’- The Phoenix Preacher- https://www.phoenixpreacher.com/circle-the-wagons/ Starvation Camp Marker Photos- Photographed by Barry SwackhamerCache Valley, Utah- https://visitusaparks.com/utah-logan-cache-valley/

One of the most gripping chapters of Colorado’s frontier past — the rise and violent fall of L.H. Musgrove and his ruthless gang of horse thieves, highwaymen, and killers. From Edward “Heartless” Franklin holding off seventeen U.S. soldiers, to Sanford Duggan’s desperate escape attempts, to the daylight lynching that shocked early Denver, this episode dives deep into the real story behind the West’s most dangerous outlaws.

We uncover how Musgrove built his operation, how his men terrorized Colorado and Wyoming, and how a city finally snapped — delivering its own brand of frontier justice beneath the Larimer Street bridge.
If you love Wild West history, vigilante justice, outlaw legends, and deep-dive storytelling, you’re in the right place.

Sources;

Hands up; or, Thirty-five years of detective life in the mountains and on the plains by Cook, David J.; Cook, John W., Colorado-Henkle Collection https://archive.org/details/handsuporthirtyf00cook/page/112/mode/2up

https://www.reporterherald.com/2017/11/25/musgrove-gang-meets-its-end/

Article by Kenneth Jessen

https://www.reporterherald.com/2017/11/18/larimer-countys-musgrove-gang/

Article by Kenneth Jessen

https://files.arapahoeco.gov/Sheriffs%20Office/Our%20Agency/history/A%20Message%20to%20Outlaws.pdf?t=202312051818230&t=202312051818230

https://jvlbell.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Volume-63.pdf

The Colorado History Gazette

History of Larimer County, Colorado

By Ansel Watrous, 1911

https://archive.org/details/cu31924028878936/page/n113/mode/2up

Sam Sixkiller was more than just a lawman. He was a symbol of justice on the violent frontier of Indian Territory. In this episode, we dive deep into the life of the legendary Cherokee officer whose reputation for courage, discipline, and fairness made him one of the most respected figures of the Old West.From his early service as a Lighthorseman, to his rise as the first captain of the U.S. Indian Police, to the deadly dangers he faced each day on the streets of Muskogee, this video explores the real story behind the man who helped bring law and order to a land filled with outlaws, smugglers, and killers. We’ll walk through his battles, his leadership, and the tragic ambush that took his life on Christmas Eve in 1886.If you’ve never heard of Sam Sixkiller, prepare for a story that deserves to stand alongside the greatest lawmen in frontier history.#Sam Sixkiller #Cherokeelawman #IndianTerritory #U.S.IndianPolice #OldWestHistory

Laramie, Wyoming wasn’t always the quiet frontier town it’s remembered as — it began in blood, corruption, and chaos. This episode dives into the violent rise and fall of “Big Steve” Long, a deputy marshal who turned law enforcement into organized terror. Alongside his half-brothers Ace and Con Moyer, Long ruled early Laramie from their saloon, the “Bucket of Blood,” extorting ranchers, robbing miners, and gunning down anyone who stood in their way. But when the town finally fought back, justice came on a rope.Discover the true story of how Laramie’s lawless beginnings nearly destroyed it before order ever took hold.#OldWest #WildWestHistory #SteveLong #Laramie #WyomingHistory #Outlaws #Lawmen #WildWestDeepDives #WesternHistorySources for Research;https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-stevelong/ https://www.visitlaramie.org/listing/bucket-of-blood-saloon/258/https://wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/kid-hell-wheels-laramie-railroad-arrivedhttps://www.wyoachs.com/people/2018/3/2/laramie-mayor-former-sheriff-both-die-with-boots-off-despite-vigilante-history Judy Knight ArticleFor Photos;Steve Long Hanging Alonehttps://digital.denverlibrary.org/nodes/view/1115831 Denver Public Library Special Collections

Amos Chapman was one of the most remarkable scouts of the American frontier — a man who bridged two worlds. Born to a white father and a Cheyenne mother, he served as an interpreter, messenger, and warrior through some of the most turbulent years of the Indian Wars. This episode dives into Chapman’s incredible bravery at the Battle of Buffalo Wallow during the Red River War — an act that earned him the Medal of Honor — and his life afterward as a respected interpreter and advocate for peace on the plains.From near-death on the Texas frontier to his later years in Oklahoma, Chapman’s story reveals the courage, loyalty, and complexity of a man who stood between cultures at a turning point in American history.#WildWest #AmosChapman #IndianWars #FrontierHistory #MedalOfHonor #BuffaloWallow #WildWestDeepDivesJoin the Wild West Deep Dive Membership Family! For just $1, you'll get access to bonus episodes like the First Stagecoach Robbery in US History & the recently released Hunnewell Gunfight! I appreciate y'alls support!Sources;https://dc.swosu.edu/westview/vol5/iss2/8/ Amos Chapman, Son of Western Oklahoma by Tena Baileyhttps://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/buffalo-wallow-fight Hugh Allen Anderson Articlehttps://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/redriver/battles.html Battles of the Red River War: Archeological Perspectives on the Indian Author; J. Brett Cruse https://books.google.com/books?id=vRNpDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/chapman-amos Article by Hugh Allen Anderson on Amos Chapmanhttps://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=62310 Historical Markerhttps://dc.swosu.edu/westview/vol5/iss2/8/ Amos Chapman, Son of Western Oklahoma by Tena Baileyhttps://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/buffalo-wallow-fight Article by Hugh Allen Anderson on the Battle of Buffalo Wallowhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5PEyAAAAIBAJ&pg=1318,772690&dq=amos-chapman&hl=en Article by Elmo Scott Watson, titled ‘Stories of Great Scouts… Scout Called “Tam-e-yukh-tah” (Cut-Off Leg)’For PhotosFort Dodge https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ks-fortdodge/ Chief Stone Calf https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1622278/ Red River War https://www.legendsofamerica.com/tx-redriverwar/ Buffalo Wallow Battle Monument Photo credit; Pi3.124Dixon Saving Amos https://www.historynet.com/olive-dixon-widow-billy-dixon/ Battle Buffalo Wallow Monument HMdb.org PhotoID=266497Amos & Mary’s Grave HMdb.org PhotoID=229855Amos Chapman Historical Marker Photo by Don Morfe https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=62310

William “Brazen Bill” Brazelton was one of the boldest and most enigmatic outlaws of the Old West—a masked highwayman who single-handedly robbed stagecoaches across Arizona and New Mexico in the late 1870s. A towering figure with a calm voice and iron nerve, he struck alone near Wickenburg, Silver City, and Tucson, armed with both pistol and rifle in one hand—a signature move that unnerved everyone who faced him. Before his life of crime, he briefly posed as a showman in Prescott, Arizona, claiming he would “swallow a wagon wheel” before vanishing with the ticket money, earning him his first nickname.His luck ran out in August 1878 when Sheriff Charles Shibell’s posse tracked him by a single twisted horseshoe print to a mesquite bosque along the Santa Cruz River near Tucson. Refusing to surrender, Brazelton went for his gun and was cut down in a storm of Winchester fire. His body was brought back to town, photographed upright with his mask and rifle, and displayed as proof that the Territory’s most feared outlaw was finally dead. That haunting image—and tales of his ghost, El Tejano, still riding the desert—cemented “Brazen Bill” Brazelton’s place among the most enduring legends of the American frontier.#BrazenBillBrazelton #OldWestOutlaw #WildWestHistory #StagecoachRobberies #ArizonaLegends #FrontierJustice #WildWestDeepDivesSources for PhotosPoint of Mountain Benchmark Photo by Michael 🌵 WilliamsBrazen Bill’s Unique Stance Photo by Nick Brumby Westerns https://nickbrumbywesterns.com/brazen-bill-brazelton/ Sources for Researchhttps://www.legendsofamerica.com/william-brazelton/ https://truewestmagazine.com/article/the-man-who-swallowed-a-wagon-wheel/https://truewestmagazine.com/article/brazen-bill-shot-to-blazes/ https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn82014896/1878-08-30/ed-1/?sp=2&q=coach+nine+robbed&r=0.08,0.662,0.393,0.25,0 Arizona citizen (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]), August 30, 1878https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn84024827/1902-08-03/ed-1/?sp=6&q=Arizona+coaches+Mexico+New+nine+robbed&r=0.036,0.223,0.549,0.261,0 (5) Bisbee daily review (Bisbee, Ariz.), August 3, 1902. John Clum interview.https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn82014896/1877-09-29/ed-1/?sp=2&q=robbed+stage&r=0.309,0.551,0.381,0.181,0 Arizona citizen (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]), September 29, 1877https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn82014896/1878-08-16/ed-1/?sp=3&q=masked+robber&r=0.172,0.553,0.374,0.178,0 Arizona citizen (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]), August 16, 1878

Marion Hedgepeth – known as The Handsome Bandit – was one of the most charming and dangerous outlaws of the Old West. A master train robber with style and precision, Hedgepeth rode with some of the most feared bandits of his time. But in a shocking twist, his tip to authorities would help capture one of America’s most notorious serial killers — H.H. Holmes, the “Devil in the White City.”After prison, Hedgepeth tried to go straight, working as a shoemaker and Pinkerton informant. Yet his old ways caught up with him, and the legend of The Handsome Bandit came to a tragic end.This is the incredible true story of crime, betrayal, and redemption — the outlaw who helped catch a killer.#OldWest #OutlawStories #WildWestHistory #MarionHedgepeth #HandsomeBandit #TrainRobberies #HHHolmes #TrueCrimeHistory #AmericanWest #WildWestDeepDives #WesternLegends #LawmenAndOutlaws #19thCenturyAmerica #PinkertonDetectives #truehistory Sources;https://www.legendsofamerica.com/marion-hedgepeth/ https://truewestmagazine.com/article/last-of-the-fast-guns/ Article by Ron Soodalterhttps://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/news/nation-world/1996/05/26/the-bad-doctor/50650073007/ Dave Ivey Articlehttps://truewestmagazine.com/article/marion-hedgepeth-crosses-tracks-with-serial-killer-h-h-holmes/ Mark Boardman Articlehttps://www.biography.com/crime/hh-holmes https://archive.org/details/holmespitezelcas00geye/page/46/mode/ The Holmes-Pitezel case; a history of the greatest crime of the century and of the search for the missing Pitezel children by Geyer, Frank P; Lawrence J. Gutter Collection of Chicagoana (University of Illinois at Chicago) ICIU, 1896MARION HEDGEPETH'S LETTERhttps://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=RLRP18911119.2.9&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- Rensselaer Republican Article, 19th November, 1891.https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp18911203.1.1&srpos=1&e=-------en-20--1--img-txIN-robbery-------sppp18911203---- St. Paul Pioneer Press Article, 3 December, 1891https://www.newspapers.com/image/457546007/ The San Francisco Examiner, 11 Feb, 1892Grady, David P. (July–August 1996). The Debonair Killer. American Cowboy Her Sacque of Sealskin: A Chapter of Western Bandit History. Vol. 20. Express Gazette. 1895.https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-globe-democrat-marion-columbus/164499381/?utm St. Louis Globe-Democrat, History of Glendale Robbery