Historian Answers Wild West Questions | Tech Support | WIRED

Navajo blankets, known for their tight weave and beauty, have been made since the 1600s, reflecting an enduring industry. Gardner highlights how Native Americans were connected to a global market economy through trade. He explores various proposed starting points for the Old West, including the Lewis and Clark expedition (1803-1806), the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848), the end of the Civil War, and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Mark Lee Gardner discusses the most dangerous outlaws, highlighting Jesse and Frank James due to their Civil War experiences and propensity for violence. He also explains the term '49er,' referring to the thousands of gold seekers who traveled to California in 1849 following the discovery of gold in 1848.

Gardner compares cinematic depictions of the O.K. Corral gunfight, noting that Kevin Costner's 'Wyatt Earp' is more accurate in showing the close proximity of the gunfighters. He corrects the common misconception about drawing guns from holsters, stating that Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday often carried revolvers in coat pockets. He also reveals that Old West towns had strict gun laws, often requiring cowboys to check their weapons at city limits.

Contrary to popular belief, Old West saloons offered a wide range of drinks beyond whiskey and beer. John B. Stetson's 'Boss of the Plains' was the most popular cowboy hat, though Derby hats were also common. Gardner suggests the Old West ended when the automobile replaced the horse, marking a shift from the frontier era.

Before European contact, approximately 28-30 million buffalo roamed North America. The robe trade and later meat hunting led to a drastic decline, with only 324 buffalo remaining by 1884. Annie Oakley, a renowned marksman, was a real and integral part of Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West exhibition, which popularized staged recreations of frontier life.

The only authenticated photo of Billy the Kid, a tin type, was taken at Fort Sumner. Due to the reverse imaging of tin types, he was mistakenly believed to be left-handed. The tin type sold for $2.3 million. Gardner confirms the existence of Black cowboys, noting that up to 25% of cowboys were Black, and introduces Bass Reeves, a famous Black lawman often considered the inspiration for the Lone Ranger.

The tradition of branding livestock dates back to ancient Egypt and was introduced to North America by the Spanish vaqueros. The 10-gauge shotgun was popular for its wide shot pattern, leading to the phrase 'riding shotgun.' Other popular firearms included the Winchester repeater and the Colt Single Action Army revolver. Gardner assesses 'Red Dead Redemption's' historical accuracy, noting that while many elements are faithful, gun holsters were typically worn higher in the actual Old West.

Literacy rates were surprisingly high in the Old West, with even outlaws like Billy the Kid and Jesse James being able to read and write. For toilet paper, commercially manufactured paper was available from the 1850s, but catalogs and pulp novels were common in remote areas. Gardner debunks the myth of Hollywood-style standoffs, explaining that real gunfights were typically ambushes or quick exchanges.

Food in the Old West extended beyond pork and beans, with boom towns offering diverse options including oyster saloons. Cowboys on cattle drives consumed fresh beef and staples like beans and flour from chuck wagons. Gardner names Doc Holliday as his favorite gunfighter, admiring his complex personality, dental background, and his friendship with Wyatt Earp.

Saloons were centers of social activity, often including dining, reading areas, gambling, and prostitution. Gardner shares lesser-known facts, such as the existence of multiple individuals named 'Billy the Kid' and Jesse James's superstition concerning 'ball lightning.' He also suggests that the iconic swinging saloon doors are a Hollywood construct rather than a historical reality.

Gardner discusses formidable Native American tribes such as the Apaches, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Comanche, and Lakota, emphasizing their ferocious defense of their cultures and families. He explains 'what went right' for the Lakota and Cheyenne at the Battle of Little Bighorn, attributing Custer's defeat to his decision to divide his regiment, allowing the Native American warriors to defeat his forces piecemeal.