Tales of the Old West

Nellie Cashman #1

Hal Hickman — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:32:19 +0000

Nellie Cashman was one of the fiestiest women in the Arizona Territory in the 1880s. She wasn’t about to let a multiple hanging turn into a Roman circus.

Tony Kompus

Hal Hickman — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:33:42 +0000

Tony Kompus mailed his letter faithfully every Saturday. What happened to those messages?

The Prescott Fire

Hal Hickman — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:31:47 +0000

A miner’s candle accidently started the biggest fire in Prescott, Arizona’s history. Half the town was burned to the ground. Little water was available because the city-wide water system hadn’t been completed. All of Whiskey Row, across the street from the court house, was leveled, but no lives were lost.

Estebanico

Hal Hickman — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 23:24:01 +0000

When Marcus de Niza came into the territory now known as Arizona searching for Sebola, the City of Gold, he sent a large moor scout to explore the territory he was about to enter. Estibanico was his name. (’Little Steven’)

Cochise

Hal Hickman — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 23:24:01 +0000

The Apache Indian chief Cochise was an honorable friend to the settlers of Arizona until a shavetail officer from the U.S. Army hung three of his braves. The result was open warfare between the natives and the newcomers.

Sailor Jack

Hal Hickman — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 23:24:01 +0000

Sailor Jack took the stage from Prescott to Phoenix in 1891 to plead this throth to a woman known as Lou. Now, Lou, a noted lady of the evening, had no interest and the rumpus that followed was disastrous for the Arizona sailor.

Tidal Bore

Hal Hickman — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 23:24:01 +0000

When the in rushing tide of the Gulf of California met the rushing muddy waters of the Colorado River, the result was a might wave called a tidal bore. For steamships sailing up and down the river in 1850 it was a dangerous event to be caught in that awesome wave.

Iron Dog

Hal Hickman — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 23:24:01 +0000

He was certainly man’s best friend. A stronger sentinel nobody in Phoenix, Arizona could ask for. He survived gunfights and rowdy twin boys, but he was still going at age 117.

Woodchopping

Hal Hickman — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 23:24:01 +0000

When the littlest brother decides to chop his stove wood with giant powder he loses one ear and sends sawdust all over Frisco, Utah

Tall Tales

Hal Hickman — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 23:24:01 +0000

Folks who live in the western States can’t be blamed for exaggerating the truth about their beautiful surroundings or the people and events within their borders. It’s a custom to stretch the truth a little — maybe even a lot!

Tom Mix

Hal Hickman — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 23:24:01 +0000

When Tom Mix came to Prescott, Arizona in 1900, nobody thought he was much of a cowboy. But, all that would change when the movie producers hit town and discovered his trick riding ability on a horse.

A Lesson in Woodchopping

Hal Hickman — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 23:24:01 +0000

The task of providing kindling for the stove that heated the water for the Frisco Chinese Laundry fell on the small shoulders of the youngest, and smallest, of the four brothers who owned the place. He decided to simplify the task - but with devastating effects!

Darrell Duppa

Hal Hickman — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 23:24:01 +0000

Arizona city, town and landmarks bare the names given them by Native Americans, Spanish explorers, pioneers and emigrants. Darrell Duppa was an emigrant from England. He gave two important names to two settlements in the territory

Ben Tasker

Hal Hickman — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 23:24:01 +0000

Ben Tasker always seemed to be around when things came up missing - like money, horses, and cattle. But when the posse tried to bring him to justice, Ben was able to get away again. This time he took their guns and pants.

Killing on Christmas

Hal Hickman — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 23:24:01 +0000

Bill Thomas could be pushed just so far by the gambler named Curby. So when Curby drew down on him he told Pete Lawrence to back off. He’d handle Curby himself.

One Glass Eye

Hal Hickman — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 23:24:01 +0000

When the vote was taken to move the territorial capitol from Prescott to Phoenix, Arizona, the outcome would be determined by a single glass eye.

Piute Mother

Hal Hickman — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 23:24:01 +0000

The young Piute mother’s love for her son was tested in 1855 when a raiding part kidnapped the child to see in slavery to the Navajo tribe. She would rather lose her life and that of her baby than face that kind of fate.

Murder in Flagstaff (Part 2)

Hal Hickman — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:24:01 +0000

The shooting of John Berry in the San Juan Sample and Club Room Saloon in Flagstaff, Arizona Territory in January of 1887 could have been called an accident, but the people in the room didn’t see it that way. (Part 2)

Murder in Flagstaff (Part 1)

Hal Hickman — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 23:24:01 +0000

When George Hawks accidentally shot John Berry in the San Juan Sample and Club Room in Flagstaff in 1887, he could have gotten manslaughter, but a mob was waiting to change the verdict. (Part 1)

Pearl Hart

Hal Hickman — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 23:24:01 +0000

Pearl Hart was one of Arizona’s most notorious characters, but on one occasion at least she didn’t appear to be too smart. Still, in the end, she out foxed them anyway.

The Celebration

Hal Hickman — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 23:24:01 +0000

When A.G. Campbell returned to Frisco, Utah in 1880 a big celebration was planned. But Bally Sackett had other plans for the parade. The result was a big surprise to Frisco’s elite.