Send us a Text Message. Have you ever wondered who the true pioneers of America's gold rush were? Find yourself transported back to the era of undying ambition and relentless prospecting in the Rocky Mountains with our gripping episode. We unravel the tales of men like John Ralston and William Green Russell, who dared to dream of a golden fortune. They ventured forth on perilous journeys along the Santa Fe and Cherokee Trails, and their discoveries sparked a gold fever that shook the nation.

Prepare for an adventure, as we share intriguing excerpts from 'Rush to the Rockies 1859' by Agnes Wright Spring. Discover the little-known stories of Cherokee Indians and their pivotal role in the gold discovery. You'll find yourself entangled in the riveting speculation surrounding a group of Missouri prospectors, whose tales of gold possibly ignited the infamous 1858 Pike's Peak gold rush. The story of Fallleaf, a Delaware Indian, and his display of gold nuggets that stirred the city of Lawrence will certainly captivate you. This is not just a tale of gold, but also a testament to human resilience and ambition. Tune in for an episode steeped in history and mystery Support the Show. Return of the Great Hunters
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Thriving in the Unforgiving Rockies: The Saga of America's Gold Pioneers

Welcome to Wild West podcast where fact and legend merge. The Wild West Podcast presents the true accounts of individuals, who settled in a town built out of hunger for money, regulated by fast guns, who walked on both sides of the law, patrolling, investing in and regulating the brothels, saloons and gambling houses. These are stories of the men who made the history of the Old West come alive - bringing with them the birth of legends, brought to order by a six-gun and laid to rest with their boots on. Join us now as we take you back in history, to the legends of the Wild West.&nbsp;

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Send us a Text Message. The Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame Committee invites nominations of living or deceased individuals for induction into the esteemed Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Nomination forms can be requested through Boot Hill Museum, Inc., or submitted online. The deadline for nominations is August 13, 2024. Inductees will be chosen by the Committee with one award from each category annually. The 2024 induction ceremony will take place on November 2, 2024, coinciding with the 150th Anniversary of the Western Cattle Trail. Join us and be part of history! Visit westerncattletrailassoc.com for more information. Support the Show. Return of the Great Hunters
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KANSAS COWBOY HALL OF FAME CALL FOR NOMINEES

Send us a Text Message. Embark on a journey to the year 1867, where the grasses of the Plains whispered tales of imminent turmoil. Our episode chronicles the audacious maneuvers of Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, as he brandishes the might of the military in a perilous dance with the Plains tribes. We peel back the layers of the government's attempts at peace—efforts that were doomed to fail against the tribes' pressing need for their ancestral grazing lands. The narrative escalates as we trace the footsteps of scouts, the critical intelligence they gathered, and the armed escorts who became the lifeline of wagon trains venturing into the fertile prairies of spring.

As the tension mounts, we find ourselves amidst the politically charged atmosphere of General Hancock's Indian Council Meeting. Listen closely as we recount the tales of Edward Wynkoop and "Wild Bill" Hickok, whose roles in this complex web of frontier relations were fraught with the push and pull of military strategies and diplomatic endeavors. Their stories unveil the intricate dynamics of cultural misunderstandings and political aspirations that brewed beneath the surface of this historic gathering, and the lingering effects that would shape the landscape of the American West.

Finally, we delve into the relentless pursuit led by General Custer, painting a picture of a landscape where every move and countermove edged the U.S. military and Native tribes closer to the specter of war. From the controversial burning of a Cheyenne village to Custer’s personal trials amidst these relentless chases, we leave no stone unturned. Through stirring anecdotes and strategic analyses, we offer a raw glimpse into the heart of the American frontier, a time of conflict and conquest that would forever alter the course of history. Join us as we bring to life the echoes of the past in this gripping episode. Support the Show. Return of the Great Hunters
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The Hancock Expedition: Frontier Diplomacy and The Precipice of War in 1867 Plains

Send us a Text Message. Don't miss the chance to delve deeper into the history of the Western Cattle Trail. Sign up for a free Western Cattle Trail Newsletter for a limited time. The newsletter will include featured articles by noted Western authors on historical accounts of the cattle drives of the 1880s. Additionally, those who receive the free newsletter will get exclusive updates on upcoming conferences, minutes from the WCTA meetings, legislative updates to trail activities, and announcements of historical events along the trail. So, sign up today for a free, limited-time WCTA newsletter and embark on a journey through the rich history of the Western Trail.   Support the Show. Return of the Great Hunters
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Western Cattle Trail Newsletter Promotional

Send us a Text Message. The Western Cattle Trail Association is delighted to announce that it will be hosting an exclusive 150-anniversary conference in Dodge City, Kansas, on November 1st & 2nd. This two-day gathering, reserved for those truly passionate about the history of the Western Trail, is not just a celebration but also a unique platform to delve into the history of the Western Trail, provide free historical trolley rides of Dodge City, and a round table to discuss the formation of a cattle trails consortium. 
The upcoming conference provides a rare chance to learn about the historic trails that played a significant role in shaping America. These trails include the Western, Goodnight-Loving, Chisholm, and Shawnee trails. The conference will take place on Friday and Saturday, followed by the prestigious Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame induction ceremony. On the evening of November 2, Michael Martin Murphey will give a captivating solo performance at the Dodge City Convention Center. Tickets will be sold separately for the Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and concert. 
Remember to mark your calendars for this momentous event in 2024: the 150-anniversary conference of the Western Cattle Trail, which will be held on November 1st and 2nd in Dodge City, Kansas. We eagerly anticipate your presence as we commemorate 150 years of the Western Cattle Trail in Dodge City, Kansas.   Support the Show. Return of the Great Hunters
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Western Cattle Trail Association 150th Conference

Send us a Text Message. Embark on a thrilling journey to the raucous streets of 19th-century Abilene with us, where the legends of the Wild West come alive. Get ready to be transported to a world where cowboys, outlaws, and lawmen like Wild Bill Hickok and Tom Smith walked with a swagger, and the promise of prosperity mingled with the ever-present risk of gunfights. Our narration will bring you face-to-face with the hardy saloon keepers, shrewd gamblers, and the notorious sporting women who turned this cowtown into an emblem of the untamed frontier.

As the sun sets on Texas Street, the tales of heroism and chaos await to captivate you. Discover the fine line between civilization and lawlessness that these historical giants tread upon as they sought to impose order in a town brimming with outlaws and dreamers. You'll hear firsthand accounts of epic showdowns and the impact of the cattle drives as we paint a picture of Abilene’s complex metamorphosis from a dusty village into a bustling hub of nightlife and vice.

Conclude this historical adventure with reflections on the lingering spirit of Abilene, as we extend an invitation to continue exploring the dusty trails and tumultuous skies of the Wild West's past. Your engagement means the world to us; every comment and thought could shape the stories we tell next. Subscribe for more episodes that promise to stir the embers of a time when the West was truly wild, and every corner had a saga to share. Support the Show. Return of the Great Hunters
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Thriving in the Unforgiving Rockies: The Saga of America's Gold Pioneers

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