Category Archives: American Indians

An Act: To Provide for the Protection of Texas

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Mustang

According to some modern sociologists, Texas culture is among the major influences of American society today.  Even despite waves of immigrants (an amalgamation of Tejano, Anglo, Irish, Cajun, and African cultures) and the many tragedies impacting life in the Lone … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Indians, American Southwest, Civil War, History, Justice, Society, Texas, Texas Rangers | 2 Comments

A Black Speck

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Mustang

A black speck appears against the sky, and it is plain that it moves.  … Another instant and man and horse burst past our excited faces and go winging away like the belated fragment of a storm.  —Mark Twain (Roughing … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Indians, California, Civil War, Colorado, Gunfights and such, History, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Pony Express | 1 Comment

Mister Montana

Posted on April 25, 2022 by Mustang

Last week — … we examined the outlaw sheriff operating in and around Virginia City-Bannack, in the Idaho/Montana Territory.  This week, we will look at a man who some would argue was as bad as the outlaw sheriff, only better … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Indians, Goldrush, Gunfights and such, History, Idaho, Indian Territory, Montana, Outlaws, Pioneers, Politicians, Range War, Society | 4 Comments

Old Paint

Posted on April 4, 2022 by Mustang

Following the French and Indian War (1754-63), the British colony of Virginia extended from the Atlantic seaboard to the eastern bank of the Mississippi River.  Few British subjects traveled beyond the Appalachian Mountains until the early 1770s.  The area of … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Indians, American Southwest, Comanche, History, Mexican Border War, Mexican Revolution, Missouri, New Mexico, Pioneers, Politicians, Revolution, Texas, Texas Rangers, Very Strange | 5 Comments

Spirits in Mooney Basin

Posted on March 21, 2022 by Mustang

In 1929, English author Montague James offered five key features of ghost stories:  They offer the pretense of truth, a “pleasing” sense of terror, they avoid bloodshed and sex, they avoid trying to explain the mechanism, and they offer a … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Indians, Ghoulies & Beasties, History, Nevada, Pioneers, Very Strange | 7 Comments

The Ringtail Panther

Posted on March 14, 2022 by Mustang

Martin Van Buren Palmer (later, Parmer) (1778-1850) was born in Charlotte County, Virginia.  In 1798, he moved to Tennessee, settling in Dickson County where he superintended the Montgomery-Bell Iron Works.  During the War of 1812, Parmer served as a commissioned … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Indians, American Southwest, Feuds & Rivalries, History, Justice, Missouri, Pioneers, Politicians, Revolution, Society, Texas, Texas Rangers | 6 Comments

Olive Oatman Fairchild

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Mustang

Background Joseph Smith Jr. (1805 – 1844) was an American religious leader and founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saints movement.  Smith was born in Vermont, but by 1817, he had moved with his family to Western New York, which was … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Indians, American Southwest, Arizona Territory, California, History, Indenture & Slavery, Massacres, Mormons, New Mexico, Pioneers, Religion, Texas, The Ladies, Yavapai | 7 Comments

Bondage & Deliverance

Posted on February 7, 2022 by Mustang

Introduction The term “brain drain” describes the large-scale migration of educated or highly skilled people from one country, economic sector, or field to another, usually for better opportunities or living conditions.  It may have begun during the Age of Exploration … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Indians, American Southwest, Apache Indians, Cherokee Nation, Civil War, Comanche, History, Indenture & Slavery, Indian Territory, Justice, New Spain, Pioneers, Texas | 7 Comments

The Puritan-Pequot War

Posted on January 10, 2022 by Mustang

Introduction At no time in the early history of European migration to North America did any man or woman have “an easy time” of it.  Many did not long survive in the new world.  If hostilities did not kill them,  they starved.  Lack of … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Indians, British Colonies, Colonial America, Feuds & Rivalries, History, Indian Territory, Indian War, Pioneers | 7 Comments

God made man — but Texas made Texans

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Mustang

Introduction In 1820, Tejas (Texas) was a province of New Spain.  In that year, the population of Hispanics living in Texas was around 1,700 — mainly concentrated in San Antonio, but with a spattering of people also living in Nacogdoches … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Indians, American Southwest, Antebellum Period, Civil War, History, Indian Territory, Indian War, Mexican Border War, Mexican Revolution, Missouri, New Spain, Outlaws, Pioneers, Society, Texas, Texas Rangers | 1 Comment