True Tales of the Wild West

On a frigid day in Coloma, California, James Marshall's heart pounded. An excitable man, he held a shiny, metal nugget in his hand. Could this be gold? To test the metal, he hammered it with a rock. It flattened easily, as gold should. When news spread of Marshall's golden discovery, thousands of people traveled to the Wild West in search of fortune. Author Jeff Savage explores the miners, prospectors, and families, who went great distances to find gold. Although most people never found it, the gold rush would change the landscape of the United States forever.

A six shooter makes all men and women equal. Agnes Morley not only coined this phrase, but also backed it up by carrying a gun. While many women in the Wild West did not carry a gun, Morley's quote represented the brave spirit of all pioneering women. Early expeditions to the unexplored West included women, such as Sacagawea, who helped Lewis and Clark reach the Pacific. As Americans settled the West, women took on important roles as ranchers, teachers, homesteaders, miners, outlaws, and reformers. From Calamity Jane to Carry Nation, author Jeff Savage examines the amazing women pioneers of the Wild West.

Jesse James. Billy the Kid. Butch Cassidy. When these bold men walked into town with six-shooters in their holsters, most people fled quickly. That is, except for the lawmen willing to take them on. Although lawmen and outlaws stood for very different ideals, they did share one thing in common, gunfighting. To live in the Wild West, especially as a bank robber or sheriff, handling a gun was necessary. Author Jeff Savage discusses the dangerous world of the gunfighter.

Kit Carson aimed his rifle and fired, killing an elk. The young scout walked over to bag his prize. Without warning, two grizzly bears emerged from the trees. Carson managed to escape the bears but lost the elk. Scouts like Kit Carson had to be ready for anything on the western frontier. Americans eager to move west needed help to get there. While famous explorers often got the credit for discovering trails and creating maps, they could never have done it without the leadership of scouts. Author Jeff Savage explores the fearless scouts, who opened up the West for others to follow.

James McCauley stood watch over his herd of cattle in the midnight darkness. Storm clouds plastered the sky. Suddenly, a clap of thunder stirred the cattle. Frightened by the loud sound, the cattle were off and running. Stampede. McCauley's horse got jittery, and took him in every direction. McCauley was lost. The life of a cowboy in the Wild West was tough. From branding cattle to cattle drives, a cowboy worked hard. Author Jeff Savage takes a firsthand look at the lives of American cowboys, from rounding up cattle to the end of a long drive.

Pony Bob had traveled more than a hundred miles. Exhausted, he still kept moving. As a Pony Express rider, he had mail to deliver. Suddenly, he heard yelling. A group of Paiute warriors were chasing him. Bullets whizzed past him. One bullet struck his shoulder; another grazed his cheek, but Pony Bob never stopped until he reached his destination. Although the Pony Express Company didn't last long, their young riders left behind a legacy of bravery. Traveling on horseback, the Pony Express brought mail from Missouri to California.