True West April 1955

True West
April, 1955

Children of the Raven by Norman B. Wiltsey

Part of a series about Crow leader Plenty Coups. During a ceremony he cuts off a finger so that his tribe can find him by the smell of blood, the first of multiple defingerings in this magazine.

Bob Ford, The Man Who Killed Jesse James by Stephen Balcomb

Ford's post-James gang life as a dirtbag saloon owner. He spend some time in Creede Colorado, a mining boomtown that could be a substitute for Deadwood. Creede also turns up multiple times.

I Still Dig for Buried Treasure by Josh Drake, Jr.

Man with a vague sense of where buried loot might be in Oklahoma spends most of his time digging false holes to throw other treasure hunters off the trail.

The Lost Fingers of Mack Hughes by Fred Gipson

Quickie about a cowhand getting his fingers yanked off from a rope tied to a horse, then eaten by various pets.

Devil's Grin by John T. Lynch

The story of Soapy Smith, petty conman turned criminal kingpin who ran the town of Creed before making his way to Alaska, where he was shot while trying to storm a town meeting.

Tombstone, Arizona by Kent Christy

Good overview of the town, from this history of mining operations to the OK Corral.

Outlaws Never Die by J. Charles Davis

A review of various claims of wild west figures faking their deaths and living well into the 20th century.

"Heap Good Medicine" by Bill Huntington

A bit about a native tribe thinking a reused mustard plaster could cure all ailments.

Gentleman Jackass by A.M. Hartung

A tribute to the noble burro.

Wash Barker and the Rock Pens by J. Frank Dobie

More never recovered buried loot.

Buffalo Roundup at Sea by Douglas Nelson Rhodes

In 1934, gum tycoon William Wrigley, Jr. brought a breeding population of buffalo to Santa Catalina Island, which proceed to wreak havoc. 

They Stole the Parson's Pants! by Stan Zamo

Back to Creede, CO, a travelling priest rounds up donations, having his pants stolen so donators could count his earnings and double it.

Creede, CO, current claim to fame is having the world's largest fork at 40 feet. It was built to beat the fork at Springfield, Missouri, which now specifies they have the World's Largest Fork By Mass.