In this episode of Distinctly Montana Stories, join me, Joseph Shelton, as I delve into the enigmatic life of Montana Frank McCray, a figure who straddled the line between myth and reality in the American West. Known as the last of Buffalo Bill's scouts, Montana Frank claimed a storied past filled with adventure, including performances in Wild West shows and connections with iconic figures. However, as we explore archived articles and personal accounts, a more complex picture emerges. Was he a legendary frontiersman or a vaudeville performer spinning tales to captivate his audience? Tune in to uncover the truth behind Montana Frank and the allure of Western folklore.

Long George Francis was many things: rodeo champion, poet, outlaw, and the self-proclaimed Robin Hood of the Hi-Line. He'd survived hotel fires, rodeo injuries, and sixteen months as a fugitive. He'd never killed anyone. And on Christmas Eve, 1920, a judge trusted him enough to grant him a few days of freedom before he reported to prison—just long enough to deliver candy and toys to the woman he loved.

He never made it.

The Last Ride of Long George Francis was written by Nick Mitchell for Distinctly Montana magazine. Narrated and produced by Joe Shelton. Music licensed from Epidemic Sound.

Distinctly Montana Stories brings literary journalism from the pages of Distinctly Montana magazine to life in audio. Subscribe to Distinctly Montana Magazines at www.distinctlymontana.com/subscribe

In 1899, a 365-pound mummified figure with a bullet hole in his forehead was pulled from the Missouri River and put on display across Montana for two bits a head. Doctors couldn't explain him. A drunken miner swore he was the ghost of a beloved territorial governor. Montana legend Liver Eatin' Johnson insisted he was an old friend named Antelope Charley.

The Petrified Man was going on tour.

Credits: Written by Nick Mitchell. Produced by Joe Shelton. Music from Epidemic Sound.

Distinctly Montana Stories brings literary journalism from the pages of Distinctly Montana magazine to life in audio. Subscribe to Distinctly Montana Magazines at www.distinctlymontana.com/subscribe

In this gripping episode of Distinctly Montana Stories titled "Blood on the Wool," I delve into the harrowing world of early twentieth-century Montana sheepherders. Life on the range was often monotonous, but that all changed one fateful night when a sheepherder encountered a violent gang intent on wreaking havoc among his flock. This episode explores the dark chapter known as the Sheep Wars, where economic tensions between cattlemen and sheepherders erupted into brutal confrontations. Join me as I recount the chilling details of these attacks, the sheer brutality involved, and the lasting impact on the lives of those who endured it. Tune in to uncover a lesser-known but significant part of Montana's history.