Embark on a journey through time as we debunk the captivating yet often far-fetched tales that have surrounded the Old West. In this article, we confront seven ridiculous myths that have woven themselves into the fabric of our perception. Let us unravel the truths behind these enduring misconceptions and discover the genuine stories that defined one of history’s most legendary eras.
Seven: Settlers Were Constantly Clashing with Indians
Skirmishes between Native Americans and the typical American pioneers journeying in their covered wagons were relatively rare occurrences. While a substantial number of pioneers, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, made the arduous journey through Nebraska, only a small fraction, roughly a few hundred, lost their lives due to clashes with Native American communities.
It is important to emphasize that this figure contrasts starkly with popular misconceptions. The actual number of fatalities attributed to these conflicts was not in the tens of thousands, nor even in the thousands, but rather around three to four hundred. To provide a broader perspective, the total recorded pioneer deaths along the Oregon Trail, accounting for all causes including disease, ranged between 10,000 and 30,000.
Thus, the Native American-related fatalities constituted a mere one to four percent of the overall trail deaths.
Intriguingly, it is conceivable that a larger number of settlers met their end in tragic accidents, such as being inadvertently trampled by their own cattle. Conversely, during this same historical period, settlers were responsible for the deaths of over 400 Native Americans. While this reality should not be dismissed, it does underscore that the majority of pioneers did not engage in violent clashes with indigenous tribes.
Instead, a more common interaction involved trading with Native Americans or enlisting members of various tribes as guides rather than adversaries.
The number of Native American deaths attributed to actions by the US government and military is estimated to be in the millions, a point that remains widely acknowledged. However, casualties resulting from confrontations with wagon trains were relatively infrequent and rare. As for the circling-the-wagons thing, that ring formation was done each night not to keep hostile Indians out, but to keep their absurdly expensive cattle from wandering off.
Interestingly, in moments of crisis, the notion of forming a protective circle with wagons would have been impractical. These wagon trains typically traveled spread out in a line several miles wide. Consequently, assembling and arranging the wagons into a circular formation during an emergency would have required an extensive amount of time, potentially hours, to gather all participants and establish the protective configuration.
Six: Cowboys Are an American Creation
The concept of cowboys did not originate in the United States, contrary to popular belief. In fact, they emerged over two decades before the arrival of Plymouth Rock, making them older than the nation itself. The true pioneers of cowboy culture were Mexican cattle herders called vaqueros, embodying the quintessential image associated with cowboys.
Vaqueros came up with all of the cowboy lingo, including bronco, lariat, and even stampede. They engaged in lengthy cattle drives, rode the rugged trails, and their distinctive sombreros likely served as a precursor to the iconic cowboy hats. They also wore chaps, organized rodeos, and immersed themselves in the lifestyle.
Vaqueros lived as cowboys for around two centuries, though largely unnoticed by history.
When Americans moved westward, it was these vaqueros who knew the land and wildlife enough to help teach the future American cowboys everything they knew. The settlers, however, appropriated and adopted the entire cowboy ethos, even assimilating the term vaqueros as buckaroos. Despite what Hollywood may have you believe, not every cowboy was a white male.
Statistics reveal that one out of every three cowboys were Mexican vaqueros. One in four are believed to be black men who were released from slavery but did not have the ability to flee far from their captors. Native Americans also partook in the cattle drives alongside their white, Mexican, and black counterparts, forming a truly diverse and inclusive coalition of cowboys.
However, the narrative takes a different turn for Chinese individuals who were building railroads in hellish conditions.
Five: Bank Robbing Outlaws Ruled the Old West
The Dalton Gang, Butch Cassidy, and the Sundance Kid all were famous for their daring robberies. They could take entire fortunes from banks that had slightly less security than a modern hot dog stand. Surprisingly, historical records only yield evidence of approximately eight true bank heists, and that is across 15 states in 40 years.
This figure pales in comparison to the astonishing 5,600 bank robberies documented in the year 2010 alone.
Even for those unfamiliar with Western cinema, such a statistic would raise eyebrows. But there are several things to consider. Firstly, the towns of yore were characterized by their diminutive size, often grouping essential establishments such as the sheriff’s office, saloon, general store, and bank together for sheer convenience.
This enclave of essential services typically constituted the heart of the settlement. Being that the sheriff’s office was usually no more than a few doors down, you were probably pulling your big heist within earshot of the law.
Second, the banks actually were not that easy to get in and out of. Old West buildings were usually built pretty close together, resulting in banks being flanked by neighboring edifices. Moreover, reinforced rear walls acted as formidable barriers against any unauthorized incursions.
When a bandit would exit the bank’s front doors laden with ill-gotten gains, a run-in with the sheriff awaited just outside.
The most celebrated instances of bank robbery, exemplified by the exploits of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, were actually true. Their feats, however, stood out for a compelling reason: they engaged in acts of daring that others simply lacked the temerity to undertake. In contrast, for the average criminal, a more common target lay in trains and stagecoaches.
These modes of transportation offered greater isolation, ease of access, and easier escape. Consequently, the appeal of robbing banks waned, as such endeavors often amounted to perilous suicide missions when weighed against the alternatives.
Four: Playing Cards Was Just a Pastime
Undoubtedly, the act of playing cards often takes on life-and-death significance in many Western films. Yet, within the reality of the Old West, not every Tom, Dick, or Harry would have been involved in big-time card games. Gambling card games were an even bigger deal than they were portrayed as being.
Remarkably, they were considered a serious profession, with the best players being initiated as professional sportsmen.
Numerous establishments within the Old West, such as gambling halls, brothels, and saloons, were exclusively dedicated to orchestrating competitive card games and professional contests. This starkly contrasts with the casual, impromptu matches between experienced players and novices as often depicted.
Three: Cowboys Wore Cowboy Hats
Lots of people wore hats back then, that part is true, albeit not the typical cowboy hats we envision today. For instance, Billy the Kid sported an unusual top hat, while Wild Bill Hickok donned a woman’s flat pancake hat. However, the prevailing headgear of the time was the bowler hat.
Its popularity stemmed from its versatility in diverse social contexts, a crucial factor when hats were a constant male accessory.
In fact, a renowned historian of the West even dubbed it the hat that won the West. Examining portraits from that era, it becomes evident that nearly all prominent figures in the West possessed a bowler hat, at least those with refined tastes. Even Stetson’s cowboy hats of the late 1800s differed markedly from the modern conception of cowboy hats.
Originally named the Boss of the Plains, it looked more like modern Amish hats and may have been just a modified sombrero.
The elaborate curls and embellishments emerged later, but this hat serves as the precursor to every modern cowboy hat worldwide. Such a notion contrasts starkly from our conventional perception of cowboy hats, does it not?
Two: Prostitutes Lived in Poverty
Though the existence of a prostitute in the Old West posed challenges and did not always align with traditional notions of honor, it did offer substantial pay, unique liberties, and comfortable living arrangements. Brothel proprietors, often referred to as madams, stood out as women of remarkable freedom, education, and were among the wealthiest women of that era. Moreover, they extended diligent care to their female employees, occasionally even enlisting law enforcement personnel for their protection.
One: Guns Were Rampant in the Old West
Irrespective of public perceptions, gun control regulations of the 19th and early 20th centuries might have been more stringent than today, particularly in the western regions. In the initial stages, gun violence did exist due to a lack of standardized laws and effective enforcement mechanisms. However, the Wild West did not stay wild forever.
As communities formed and settlements expanded, the necessity for and acceptance of handguns began to wane.
Around 1878, a quarter century into the westward expansion, measures were finally implemented. Even places as rough as Dodge City displayed signs akin to this. The notorious gunfight at the OK Corral erupted from a gang’s refusal to adhere to Tombstone’s anti-firearm ordinance.
But it is not like the six-shooter of the time was very dangerous anyway. They utilized a rudimentary cap and ball system, propelling a marble-like projectile with black powder effective at a range of roughly 50 feet.
The Adams revolver, emblematic of the time, could scorch your hand while firing, so you had to be really sure you wanted to shoot that dude. Consequently, the six-shooter was not a favored choice even among gun users, serving more as a last-resort weapon. Preferred options included shotguns and rifles, having both the power and the range to put down a big bear or a card-𝒸𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 son of a gun.
However, envisioning a Western scenario where cowboys engage in high-noon showdowns with sizable shotguns hardly captivates an audience.
