Channel Title: Footprints of The Frontier Channel Description: From the early days of manifest destiny and wagon trails to the latter days of train robberies and armed conflict, Footprints of the Frontier is your premiere channel for the Wild West portion of American history. We cover the explosive yet enlightening events that define the old United States, starting in the earliest years of America's discovery and lasting until the turn of the 20th century. Whether you've got interests in the economics of westward expansion, a passion for famous outlaws, or a curiosity about the plight of the Indigenous tribes that once flourished across the American landscape, Footprints of the Frontier is your home on the prairie. We promise you'll find content here you won't find elsewhere, built from the ground up by a passionate group of history stewards, just like you. So grab your saddle, pack up your rations, and ride along with us as we venture into the wild and wonderful world and leave our footprints on the American frontier. <video> From Wild West Prostitute to Legendary Outlaw... Description: Laura Bullion's life story begins with considerable ambiguity regarding her birth details. Most sources, including her grave marker, indicate she was born around October 1876 in Knickerbocker, Texas, near Mertzon in Irion County. However, this date is not certain. Her death certificate, issued under the alias Freda Bullion Lincoln, records October 4 as her birthday but provides conflicting information about her birth year. Some accounts suggest she may have been born as early as 1873, with a 1901 arrest report listing her age as 28, implying an earlier birth year than commonly cited. The mystery deepens when examining various historical records. Census data from 1880 and 1900 present alternative possibilities for Bullion's origins. Some sources suggest she might have been born on a farm in Palarm Township, Faulkner County, Arkansas. The 1880 Federal Census documents a Bullion family in this area, including a Kentucky-born farmer named Henry Bullion. Thank you for watching. DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> What Happened to Mentally Insane People During The Old Wild West... Description: In the untamed expanse of the Old West, where legends of gunslingers, outlaws, and vigilante justice painted a portrait of lawless brutality, an unexpected institution took root in Oregon Territory. The 1800s saw the rise of insane asylums across America — places that would later become synonymous with abuse, neglect, and Gothic horror in the public imagination. Yet as settlers pushed westward, bringing with them both their dreams and their affliction, Oregon's approach to mental healthcare emerged as a curious anomaly. In a time and place where human life often seemed to hold little value, where disagreements were settled with violence and mercy was scarce, the Oregon Hospital for the Insane stood as a quiet contradiction to the savage mythology of the frontier. While Eastern asylums crowded their halls with countless forgotten souls, this Western institution whispered of a different possibility — one that would challenge both the barbaric reputation of the frontier and the dark legacy of healthcare in the American west. This is the story of the Oregon State Hospital; also known as, “The First Insane Asylum of the Old West.” 0:00 Intro 1:31 Frontier Psychosis 7:40 The Birth of an Old West Asylum 10:53 Wild West's Calmest Doctor 18:38 Greed or the greater Good DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> The Wild West's MOST Dangerous Lawman... Description: The enigmatic figure — one Dan Tucker — born in the late 1840s on Canadian soil, would go on to make his mark as a formidable enforcer of the law, skilled tracker of fugitives, and expert marksman in America's untamed frontier. Despite his northern roots, Tucker's distinctive southern drawl often led many to assume he was a native son of the United States. His prowess with firearms earned him the ominous sobriquet "Dangerous Dan," a moniker that would prove prophetic throughout his career. Thank you for watching. DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> This Wild West Vigilante Group Kicked Ass... Description: This Wild West Vigilante Group Saved Missouri... From a modern perspective, while the Bald Knobbers may appear as rogue outlaws, their brand of vigilantism was emblematic of a broader tradition in America's frontier history. Since the nation's inception, violent resistance against perceived lawlessness has been a recurring motif. The aspiration to control and settle untamed regions, like the old west, often yielded brutal and bloody consequences. Though the era of the Bald Knobbers has passed, their legacy of frontier justice endures as a cautionary tale, illustrating the unorthodox marriage of perils and necessities of vigilantism in a land of pure and absolute lawlessness. 0:00 Intro 7:11 The Watchmen of the Wild West 16:46 End of Watch DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> The Wild West Murder You Didn't Know About Description: The Unsolved Death of Rattlesnake Dick... Richard H. Barter, infamously known as "Rattlesnake Dick," emerged from humble beginnings in Quebec, Lower Canada, around 1833. Born to a British Army officer and a French-Canadian woman, he experienced profound loss when both parents died by 1850. That pivotal year, he embarked on a transformative journey to the United States, accompanying his older brother and cousin, John Cross, along the arduous Oregon Trail. While his sister established roots in Sweet Home, Oregon — in close proximity to the modern day college town of Corvallis — Barter and his companions pressed onward, driven by dreams of gold-fueled prosperity in California's legendary mining regions. The trio arrived during spring 1851, establishing themselves at Rattlesnake Bar, a vibrant mining encampment nestled along the North Fork American River. This bustling settlement boasted hundreds of rudimentary cabins, a raucous saloon, a modest jail, and scattered trading posts — a beacon of hope for fortune seekers. 0:00 Intro 3:46 The Outlaw Turn 7:23 The Unsolved Death DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> The Killing of Mormons in the Old West... Description: Missouri Executive Order 44 — also referred to as the Mormon Extermination Order of 1838. Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs issued this executive order in reaction to the events surrounding the Battle of Crooked River. That confrontation occurred after a state militia from Ray County captured several Mormon individuals from Caldwell County. In response, a group of Mormons attempted to rescue those taken, which escalated the situation and led to the battle. Governor Boggs’ order was a direct result of this violent encounter, marking a significant moment in the conflict between the state militia, the Mormon community, and bloodshed on the American frontier. This is the inside story of Missouri Executive Order 44 and the cold blooded extermination of Mormons in the old west... 0:00 Intro 3:09 Battle of Crooked River 10:34 Hawn’s Mill Massacre DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> The Rough Riders: Teddy Roosevelt and Legends of Old West War | 2024 Documentary Description: In the sweltering heat of a Cuban summer, the thunderous sound of hooves mingled with the sharp crack of rifle fire. Dust rose from the earth, obscuring the silhouettes of men on horseback as they charged forward, their determination as unbreakable as the frontier spirit that forged them. These are no ordinary cavalry; they are the Rough Riders — a motley crew of cowboys, miners, lawmen, entertainers, sportsmen, and Native Americans — united under the banner of Colonel (and future United States president) Theodore Roosevelt. As they crested the hill of San Juan, their legend was about to be etched into the lore of American history. Born from the untamed spirit of the Old West and thrust into the crucible of international conflict, the Rough Riders embodied a unique moment in time — a bridge between two eras. They carried with them the rugged individualism of the frontier and the bold ambition of a nation on the cusp of becoming a world power. Their story is one of transformation, not just of the men who donned the uniform, but of America itself. From the dusty streets of Arizona Territory to the jungle-clad hills of Cuba, the Rough Riders blazed a trail that would lead the United States into a new century and a new role on the global stage. This is the story of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders... 1:42 Rough Riders: Assemble! 7:11 Battle of Las Guasimas 20:26 Battle of San Juan Hill 35:37 The Grande Finale 42:36 Riding Into the Sunset DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> Wild West Weaponry: Guns Used By Outlaws on The American Frontier... Description: The name of the game during the heyday of the wild west was conflict. Whether it was between outlaws and settlers, bandits and lawmen, or rival factions competing for territory and survival, violence was an ever-present backdrop across the frontier. As settlers expanded westward, they were met not only by the challenges of the land but by the relentless threats posed by those who operated outside the law. With the rise of vigilantes, renegades, and notorious criminals came the need for firepower that matched their daring and defiance. Outlaws equipped themselves with the best weaponry they could acquire, arming themselves for high-stakes robberies, gunfights, and ruthless skirmishes. This was a time when firearms became increasingly accessible, allowing infamous bandits, gunslingers, and fugitives to stockpile their arsenals. To gain a better understanding of the arms these infamous figures wielded, we’re delving into the types of weapons that were critical to their survival and success on the wrong side of the law. Thus, here are several specific weapons used by outlaws and villains in the wild west. 0:00 Intro 1:19 Colt Single Action Army 6:19 41 Thunderer 10:46 Winchester 1886 14:15 Smith & Wesson Model 3 17:43 Colt Navy Revolver DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> The Barbaric Wild West Practice of Running Buffalo Off Cliffs... Description: The tradition of pursuing bison as prey emerged long before the settlement of the Americas, with early hominids such as Neanderthals actively hunting these massive creatures across Eurasian territories. This practice naturally continued as humans migrated to North America. Archaeological discoveries at Jake Bluff, situated in northern Oklahoma, reveal significant evidence of early bison hunting activities. The site yielded distinctive Clovis points — primitive hunting implements — discovered alongside the skeletal remains of no fewer than 22 ancient bison (Bison antiquus). Scientific analysis dates these findings to approximately 12,838 years ago, corresponding to roughly 10,888 BC. The location's natural geography, characterized by a steep-walled dried streambed, created an effective natural enclosure that early hunters exploited — a strategy that would later be refined by subsequent cultures, including the Folsom people. 0:00 Intro 5:07 Camp Disappointment 8:34 Ulm Pishkun 14:36 Head Smashed In Thank you for watching. DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> The Wild West Mental Hospital That Tortured Native Americans... Description: The Disturbing Insane Asylum for American Indians... The Hiawatha Asylum for Insane Indians stands as a haunting symbol of the systemic violence and neglect inflicted upon Native Americans during the waning days of the Old West. Established in 1899 under the guise of providing care for mentally ill Indigenous individuals, the institution quickly devolved into a place of suffering and injustice. Over its 32-year operation, hundreds of Native Americans were confined there, many without proper diagnoses, care, or hope of release. It's operations were marked by substandard medical care, forced confinement, and the use of restraints, all underscored by bureaucratic indifference. Investigations in the asylum's later years revealed appalling conditions, including untreated diseases, inadequate records, and a mortality rate that pointed to institutionalized neglect. This is the story of the Hiawatha Insane Asylum and the cold blooded mental hospital murders of innocent Native Americans. 0:00 Intro 1:13 The Birth of a Murder Mansion 9:24 Killer Doctors 16:33 The End of an Evil Era DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> Cocaine Cowboys: A History of Cocaine in the Old Wild West... Description: The history of cocaine in America, particularly during the era of the Old West, is a tale of initial enthusiasm followed by growing concern and eventual prohibition. This powerful stimulant, derived from the coca plant, played a significant role in shaping American society, medicine, and law enforcement from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. From its early popularity as a wonder drug and common ingredient in patent medicines to its association with crime and racial tensions, cocaine's journey through American history reflects the complex social, medical, and legal landscapes of a nation in transition. It’s vital that we explore the rise and fall of cocaine use in the United States, with a focus on its impact on the frontier culture of the Old West; examining how it went from being a widely available consumer product to a controlled substance within a relatively short span of time. This is the story of cocaine on the American frontier. 0:00 Intro 1:12 History of American Cocaine 8:42 Wild West Wild Coke Thank you for watching. DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> Texas' Most Intimidating Wild West Gunfighter... Description: During the wild frontier era of the American West, King Fisher emerged as one of Texas's most notorious gunslingers. His life began in Collin County, Texas, in October 1853, where he entered the world as the child of Jobe Fisher and Lucinda Warren. The youngster endured early hardship when his mother died during his second year, after which his father wed Minerva, who became his stepmother. The Fisher household, which included King's siblings Jasper and James, never remained in one place for long during his early years. In the aftermath of the Civil War, the family ventured to Williamson County near Austin, where his brother James had previously established himself. To sustain his household, Jobe Fisher earned his livelihood in the cattle industry, operating a pair of freight wagons. The family dynamic shifted again with the death of Minerva, prompting another move to Goliad, situated west of Victoria, Texas. At this new location, King's paternal grandmother stepped in to assist Jobe with child rearing responsibilities. 0:00 Intro 7:53 The Vaudeville Theater Ambush DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> Caffeine Cowboys: A History of Coffee in the Old Wild West... Description: Coffee played an essential role in shaping the American frontier during the Old West. For settlers, cowboys, and pioneers, coffee was more than a drink — it was a daily ritual that provided comfort, energy, and a sense of community in an often harsh and lonely environment. Brewed over open fires and consumed from tin cups, coffee became a staple at campfires and homesteads. It served as a morale booster for those working long days under challenging conditions and often doubled as a social lubricant, bringing people together. This reliance on coffee mirrored the rugged, practical spirit of the frontier, cementing its place in the cultural and historical fabric of the Old West. Grab your favourite canister, a seat around the fire, and fill ‘it up as we talk about caffeine cowboys and the history of coffee on the American frontier. 0:00 Intro 1:40 Chronicles of Coffee 6:52 Caffeine Cowboys 16:16 The Folgers Frontier Thank you for watching. DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> The Robin Hood of Arizona: An Epic Wild West Manhunt You’ve Never Heard About... Description: The notorious Mexican bandit Augustine Chacon, nicknamed "El Peludo" (or "The Hairy One" in English), left an indelible mark on Old West history through his exploits along the Arizona-Mexico borderlands during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Though his criminal activities drew widespread attention, many frontier inhabitants viewed him as a hero figure similar to Robin Hood. Arizona historians and recordkeepers characterized him as among the final generation of defiant outlaws who challenged law enforcement at the century's turn. By 1902, accounts attributed approximately thirty separate killings to Chacon, prompting the legendary lawman and first captain of the Arizona Rangers — Burton C. Mossman — to launch an intensive pursuit. A pursuit that would be remembered forever in Arizona old west lore. This is the story of Burton Mossman versus El Peludo, the manhunt for the Robin Hood of Arizona, and a tantalizing tale of law and order on the southwestern United States frontier. 0:00 Intro 1:18 The Ballad of El Peludo 10:15 The Ballad of Burton Mossman 15:10 The Sting of the Century DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video> <video> The American Frontier's Most Mysterious Man... Description: Frank Leslie, also known as Nashville Franklyn Leslie, has a background shrouded in mystery and conflicting accounts. His birthplace is uncertain, with some sources pointing to the vicinity of San Antonio, Texas, while others suggest Galveston. The exact year of his birth is also disputed, though it's believed to be around the early 1840s. Leslie's parentage remains a subject of debate. One version, based on a 1913 marriage document, names Bernard and Martha Leslie as his parents, hailing from Virginia and Kentucky respectively. An alternative account, published in the Tombstone Daily Prospector in 1889, proposes that his father was Thomas Kennedy and that Leslie adopted his mother's surname after a familial dispute. However, this newspaper report lacked credible sources to support its claims. 0:00 Intro 2:57 Trouble in Tombstone 13:20 The Mysterious Finale… DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us before putting in a claim, and we can resolve the issue immediately. We can be reached on this email: info@footprints-of-the-frontier.com Copyright © 2024 Footprints on The Frontier. All rights reserved. </video>

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From the early days of manifest destiny and wagon trails to the latter days of train robberies and armed conflict, Footprints of the Frontier is your premiere channel for the Wild West portion of American history. We cover the explosive yet enlightening events that define the old United States, starting in the earliest years of America's discovery and lasting until the turn of the 20th century.

Whether you've got interests in the economics of westward expansion, a passion for famous outlaws, or a curiosity about the plight of the Indigenous tribes that once flourished across the American landscape, Footprints of the Frontier is your home on the prairie. We promise you'll find content here you won't find elsewhere, built from the ground up by a passionate group of history stewards, just like you.

So grab your saddle, pack up your rations, and ride along with us as we venture into the wild and wonderful world and leave our footprints on the American frontier.

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