This Is What Life In The Wild West Was Really Like

Many of us are so used to the comforts of modern society that they probably couldn't imagine living without them. They'd likely struggle to cope if they suddenly found themselves in the Wild West, a time when outlaws roamed the land and most people traveled around in carts or on horseback.

Life in the latter half of the 1800s and the early 1900s was certainly a very different experience, but also quite an intriguing one. There are plenty of surprising facts about the wild west that you might not have realized, which will really open your eyes to the past.

Women who spent time with people for money had many nicknames

One of the most surprising facts about the Wild West is just how many nicknames there were for the women who worked in saloons. These people who were willing to get up close and personal with men for money were seemingly called different things depending on where they were or who they were talking to.

While Californians had nicknames like "ladies of the line" and "sporting women," the people of Kansas used terms like "daughters of sin" or "doves of the roost." Meanwhile, cowboys reportedly often called them "soiled doves." You also had nicknames like "fallen angels," "scarlet ladies," "frail sisters," and "painted cats," just to name a few of them.

Olive Oatman reportedly suffered a ton of hardships in the Wild West

Life in the Wild West could be quite traumatic for some people. Olive Oatman was probably a person who understood that better than most. She allegedly suffered a great deal when she was alive, and it all stemmed back to when she and her family traveled to California. It seemed they were attacked by a Native American tribe en route.

Olive and two of her siblings were apparently the only survivors, with the girls reportedly being held captive for a year. The pair were then supposedly traded to the Mojave people, where a drought then claimed the life of Olive's sister. The only saving grace was that Oatman was apparently treated better by this tribe than when she was captured.

Chief John Smith was supposedly over 130 years old when he passed away

The problem with some of these Wild West facts is that it's sometimes hard to know what is actually the truth. It's been over a century since this era in American history, and things weren't always accurately documented. For instance, there are reports that Chief John Smith, also known as Kahbe Nagwi Wens, passed away at over 130 years old.

The Native American from the Chippewa tribe apparently lost his life to pneumonia in 1922. However, are the claims that he was between 132 and 138 when this happened really true? It doesn't seem so. It's apparently more likely that he was actually just under 100 when he passed away. That's still an impressive age in any era, though.

Camels were imported to Texas to help with transporting goods

When people think of animals that were around during this period, they generally think of horses and cattle. However, one of the lesser-known facts about the Wild West is that camels actually roamed around parts of the US at times. If you were in Texas during the 1850s, there was a decent chance that you'd see one.

That's because Jefferson Davis reportedly believed that camels would help to transport goods westward. So, in 1855, the government apparently imported 75 camels and brought them to Campe Verde in Texas. These were initially used to help with trips to San Antonio, but the onset of the Civil War pretty much saw their usage come to an end.

The Wild West had more African American cowboys than Hollywood lets on

When it comes to movie cowboys, actors that stand out include the likes of Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. However, were these men really accurate representations of cowboys on the big screen? If their films were more true to life, it's possible that some of their parts would have been given to actors of color.

Maybe one of the most surprising Wild West facts is that around a quarter of cowboys were allegedly black. The reason for this is apparently that plenty of American ranchers settled in places like Texas with slaves. These African Americans often had to look after the herds when the Civil War happened, so after slavery was abolished, they became cowboys.

Faro was apparently the game of choice for cowboys, not poker

Something that people often associate with this time in US history is poker. However, one of the little-known facts about the Wild West is that this wasn't actually that popular because of its slower pace. Instead, what many cowboys apparently liked to play back then was faro, which bears some resemblance but is a different game.

Faro's history extends further back than the Wild West, as it was apparently created in the 17th century. It was reportedly first conceived in France and requires several players, as well as a banker. It was supposedly a popular choice in the Wild West because it was easy to pick up and was generally more fast-paced.

Many people lost their lives in Delmar, Nevada, thanks to breathing in silicon dust

It's one of the most established Wild West facts that many people flocked to towns that had mines. After all, this often seemed to be where the money was. However, this could be quite dangerous work, especially if you lived in Delmar, Nevada. Here, you apparently didn't even need to be in the mines to put your life in peril.

A mill was established here in 1893, four years after gold was found in Monkey Wrench Gulch. Unfortunately, this mill - which was used to refine the gold - exposed those around it to silicon dust. Many people who breathed it in apparently suffered lung damage or even lost their lives, resulting in many widows. The mill was destroyed in 1909.

Spitting reportedly became outlawed at trains stations because of disease risks

Spitting is another of those things that seems to be synonymous with the Wild West. Back then, spittoons were common, and a lack of hygiene practices meant that people didn't really see the problem with spitting. It was usually covered up with sawdust, but that just made the problem worse because this stuff was a breeding ground for germs.

With diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis going around, this put a lot of people at risk. It actually reached the point where train stations reportedly started banning the practice, with threats of a fine or jail time. People were potentially looking at losing $500 or spending a year in prison simply for spitting, resulting in better hygiene practices.

Cowboys didn't actually wear 10-gallon hats as people assume

If you were to picture a cowboy right now, what would they look like? We imagine there would be some key features about them, particularly regarding their clothes. However, your idea of how cowboys dressed in the Wild West might not actually be accurate. For instance, they didn't wear 10-gallon hats like everyone thinks they do.

Flat-brimmed Stetsons, known as the "Boss of the Plains," were apparently the hats favored by cowboys and others during this era. The only reason that people assume 10-gallon hats were the headgear of choice is because of Hollywood. This look was apparently popularized in the 1920s, and viewers quickly took this depiction as gospel moving forward.

Meals in the Wild West were pretty different from what's available nowadays

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? There's a decent chance you wouldn't have been able to enjoy it 100 plus years ago, given how food and eating habits have changed over the years. Much of what the people in the Wild West enjoyed you rarely even hear about today.

For instance, boiled mutton, soused calves' feet, and calves' heads. These were all apparently typical dinner foods for families in the mid to late-1800s. They did also enjoy some more appetizing foods, such as boiled eggs, omelets, dried fruit, and canned beans. Generally, what people had to eat depended on what was available at that time of year.

Saloon girls weren't there to be intimate with men, as some might think

There were plenty of differences between the east and the west during this era. One thing that set one side of the Mississippi apart from the other was the presence of saloon girls. In the east, these were practically unheard of, but in the west, they were commonplace. What exactly were saloon girls back in those days, though?

While some might think they were all there to get paid for being intimate with patrons, that apparently wasn't the case. One of our interesting Wild West facts is that only those in the shabbiest saloons apparently did this. The rest were just there to entertain the men in the saloons and get them to keep spending money.

Millions of bison were hunted down during the Wild West era

One of the facts about the Wild West that people are probably very familiar with is that food was a lot harder to come by back then. While there were general stores that people could buy products from, plenty of hunting was in order. Bison were seemingly the meat of choice in those days, given how many lost their lives.

Apparently, there were somewhere between 10 and 30 million bison in America in the early 1800s. A century later, that figure was reportedly down to less than 1,000. It wasn't just food that prompted such a significant cull, though. It seems this was also a way to attack the Native Americans because they relied heavily on these animals.

Congress is reportedly the reason that bison weren't made extinct during the Wild West

We know that bison were hunted to try and deprive the Native American tribes of food. However, it's hard to comprehend just how many of these creatures lost their lives due to the conflict between the US and the natives. This is one of those Wild West photos that really puts it all into perspective.

It's only because of Congress that these creatures still exist today. When there were only hundreds of the animals left, the hunting of them was reportedly outlawed. At this point, there was only one herd left in Yellowstone National Park. Thankfully, this move helped to boost the population numbers over the years to a reportedly healthier 200,000.

Squirrel Tooth Alice was a dance hall girl who moved around a lot

There are all sorts of nicknames for the famous faces of the Wild West. Perhaps one of the more bizarre is Squirrel Tooth Alice. Her real name was Elizabeth Thompson - although she was apparently born Mary Elizabeth Haley - and she reportedly worked as a dance hall girl. This was a job she dabbled in all across Kansas.

After arriving in Abilene as a teenager, she married Texas Billy and moved around Kansas with him. After he accidentally ended the life of Ellsworth's sheriff, they fled to Dodge City and allegedly got to know Wyatt Earp. However, it was Sweetwater, Texas, where they eventually settled down, with Thomson running a brothel under the guise of a dance hall.

Laura Bullion was a notable female outlaw during the Wild West period

Some of the most interesting facts about the Wild West revolve around women. While most outlaws during this era were men, there were a few female criminals who made a name for themselves. Laura Bullion was one of them. Her father was apparently a bank robber, and it seems the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Known to associate with the likes of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, she helped to forge checks, steal goods, and more. Her robbing days reportedly came to an end in 1901, as this was when Laura was arrested for robbing a train. Following three years behind bars, Laura seemingly decided to turn over a new leaf.

Birthday parties were apparently more subdued in the Wild West

If you're someone that likes celebrating their birthday, you may well be partial to a party. Of course, if you were around over 100 years ago, that party would probably be quite a different experience from what you're used to now. This photograph apparently shows such a celebration in Minnesota in 1900, and you can really see the difference.

The atmosphere is definitely more reserved than you might find with more modern parties. There aren't people knocking back drinks and making faces at the camera. Instead, it's just a group of presumably friends and family members standing around a table looking content. We can only assume that they were all having a good time.

Fannie Porter was one of the Wild West's most notable madams

The options available to women in the US weren't as varied as they are nowadays. While many busied themselves with housework and looking after their partners, some opted to do something more risqué. Fannie Porter was one such person, as she made a name for herself in the Wild West period as a popular madam.

After moving to the US from the UK, she apparently began working as a madam at 15 and had her own business within several years. She reportedly achieved success because she was kind and caring, but also because Porter wasn't that fussed about who she spent time with. There are claims that she hung around with several wanted outlaws.

What happened to the Bandit Queen is a mystery that's never been solved

With a name like the Bandit Queen, you likely assume that this Wild West figure racked up quite a few crimes during her lifetime. It seems that was certainly the case for Belle Starr, who was reportedly known for rubbing shoulders with other outlaws during this era. She allegedly also married a few of them when it suited her.

It seems Starr supposedly liked using men to achieve certain goals before she suddenly passed away in 1889. No one knows quite what happened to the Bandit Queen. Some say that she lost her life to her own weapon; others claim that she was ambushed. Whatever happened, Starr was reportedly traveling home at the time but never made it back.

The Bender family reportedly wreaked havoc on Labette County in the 1870s

There were more than just outlaws that people had to be afraid of in the Wild West. Serial criminals were also apparently around too, with the Bender family being one of the most famous examples. They reportedly moved to Labette County, Kansas, from Germany in the early 1870s and took the lives of potentially a dozen people.

Stories claim that they would have their victims sit in front of a curtain, unaware that a member of the family was lurking behind it. This person would then apparently attack them with a hammer while another cut their throat with a knife. They would then allegedly be dropped into the basement as their seat was on a trapdoor.

Dust was apparently a significant issue in the Wild West days

The spread of germs wasn't the only thing that people had to worry about with their health in the Wild West. There was also dust to consider, too. It probably doesn't come as a huge surprise that this stuff was everywhere during this era. However, not everyone can grasp the extent of how problematic dust was at the time.

One passage in the historical book 'Daily Life on the Nineteenth Century American Frontier' talks of how people's faces were coated in the stuff after a day of walking. The dust also caused issues with vision, which wasn't ideal when traversing areas that weren't yet developed. Trying to pass through an empty landscape with this stuff everywhere was a nightmare.

Buffalo Bill's stagecoach became synonymous with the Wild West

There are plenty of notable names who made their mark in the Wild West era, and Buffalo Bill is one of them. While some might associate the name with the horror film 'Silence of the Lambs,' Buffalo Bill was a real person who apparently lived between 1846 and 1917. He was known for his iconic Wild West show.

Bill and his gang would put on shows across the United States, traveling from one town to another on their stagecoach. Much like these shows have become a staple of American history, so too has that vehicle. It was synonymous with Buffalo Bill, so it's maybe no great surprise that the stagecoach is still revered to this day.

Photographs of outlaws who'd passed away were used to scare potential criminals

Outlaws might have roamed around the US, striking fear into people's hearts, but that didn't mean they were free to do whatever they wanted. Law enforcement of the time did what they could to stop these criminals, with plenty captured and put on trial. Of course, some never made it that far, instead going out in a blaze of glory.

These people were apparently sometimes used as a warning to other potential lawbreakers. How? Through the use of photography. Once they were no longer alive, they'd be posed and have their photo taken before being buried somewhere. The pictures were presumably meant to strike fear into anyone who believed they could escape justice from the law.

Cowboys would supposedly rely on things like hot springs to keep clean

There are probably some facts about the Wild West that you're familiar with, like the fact that they didn't have the sort of plumbing systems we do nowadays. Things like indoor showers weren't really a thing back then, especially to the degree that they exist now. So, if cowboys wanted to stay clean, they apparently had to get quite creative.

Typically, they would reportedly bathe in pools of water because this was the best way to clean everywhere properly. Places like Colorado had hot springs, which were particularly useful for this, as it meant the cowboys didn't have to worry about washing themselves in cold water. Many of these hot springs are still around today.

Edward Green was allegedly responsible for the first armed bank robbery

One of the more interesting facts about the Wild West is that this era was when the first armed bank robbery occurred. Although the first bank robbery reportedly happened in 1831, there were apparently no weapons used at the time. Fast-forward just over 30 years, though, and Edward Green decided this would help him pull off the crime.

It reportedly occurred at Malden Bank in 1863 in Malden Massachusetts. 32-year-old Green had been drinking, was in debt, and figured robbing the bank was the solution. Although he was initially successful, making away with $5,000 (roughly $117,500 today) after shooting the sole employee in the head, he allegedly confessed to his crimes a month later.

Eleanor Dumont allegedly ended the life of Jack McKnight after he conned her

One of the little-known facts about the Wild West is that not everyone who committed a serious crime was a hardened outlaw. Sometimes, people were simply pushed to their limits and acted out just the once. That was supposedly what happened with Eleanor Dumont, who ended the life of Jack McKnight after tracking him down. 

Dumont wanted the man gone after he apparently conned her out of pretty much everything she had. So, she seemingly felt that he had it coming when she took a weapon to his head. Unfortunately, Eleanor's story didn't end particularly triumphantly. The woman allegedly took her own life one day after her debts became too much to handle.

Dentistry in the Wild West was seemingly the stuff of nightmares

It probably comes as a surprise to no one that hygiene in the Wild West wasn't like it is today. That extends to oral healthcare, with a trip to the dentist being something that no one wanted to do. Perhaps if toothbrushes and dental floss existed back then, people wouldn't have lost so many teeth to pliers.

One of the little-known facts about the Wild West is that this is the tool that people like blacksmiths and barbers used to remove a problematic tooth. There weren't actual dentists back then, so the job was done by people who knew how to use such tools. Even worse, they didn't offer any pain medication to make the extraction easier.

Weapon restrictions were reportedly tighter in the Wild West than modern day

Many people value the second amendment in the US constitution, something that's been questioned a lot in recent years. Many might argue that the current situation regarding weapon possession isn't as bad as it was a century or so ago, but they'd actually be wrong. This is one of the more unbelievable facts about the Wild West.

It appears there might actually have been stricter weapon restrictions back in the day, with laws apparently prohibiting non-residents from carrying them around towns like Abilene and Dodge City. If you had a weapon, you supposedly had to check it in with the local sheriff, who gave you a token in return. It was basically like a coat check.

The first US train robbery reportedly occurred in the Wild West era in 1866

It seems there were quite a few crime firsts during this era. Something many people don’t know is there'd supposedly never been a robbery on a moving train before 1866. This was when the Reno Gang pulled off one of the biggest heists in history by making away with $18,000 (roughly $335,200 today) in cash.

This money - along with the jewelry and other goods they reportedly stole - put the gang in a very good financial position. However, it also made them big targets for law enforcement. Two years after the train robbery, six of the members were reportedly hung up on a tree. Where it happened is apparently now known as Hangman Crossing.

The Homestead Act saw the westward movement of thousands of US citizens

The United States has had a presidency since 1789, meaning there were presidents throughout the Wild West era. One of the most notable of these was Abraham Lincoln. During his four years in office, Lincoln signed several acts, including the Homestead Act of 1862. This gave families the opportunity to have their own farms and make a living.

However, anyone who wanted to do this reportedly had to move to the west. This supposedly resulted in around 400,000 families moving their lives across the US between 1862 and 1900. The Homestead Act stuck around for quite a few decades but ultimately came to an end in 1934 with Franklin D. Roosevelt's Taylor Grazing Act.

James Marshall kickstarted the California Gold Rush but supposedly never intended to

Those familiar with the Wild West will likely know that gold was a big deal during this era. There were several gold rushes in this time period, including the one started by James Marshall. In 1848, he discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, which prompted hundreds of thousands of people to flock to this state.

Initially, Marshall and John Sutter - the mill's owner - didn't want word about the gold getting out. Unfortunately, it seems that Charles Bennett spilled the beans several times on the route to Monterey. It wasn't long before gold at Sutter's mill became a major talking point, and the men's hopes of quietly mining it all themselves went out the window.

Kit Carson is allegedly one of the men who helped to shape California

California is now one of the most popular states in the US. However, if it weren't for people like Christopher - or Kit - Carson, that might not be the case. He was an American frontiersman who lived between 1809 and 1868, and he reportedly helped to shape California while the state was still relatively undeveloped. Kit was hugely influential.

His significant impact on California wasn't the only notable thing about him, though. It appears that Carson was supposedly also illiterate and had his head turned by several women during his lifetime. He married three times, although he never spoke about the first two in his memoirs. Across all his marriages, Kit reportedly welcomed ten children into the world.

"Black Bart" was a prominent stagecoach robber who had a thing for poetry

One of the Wild West's most famous outlaws was Charles Boles, often known as "Black Bart." His style of criminal behavior revolved around holding up stagecoaches and robbing them, something that he was pretty successful at for a while. Between 1875 and 1883, he allegedly robbed more than two dozen of these vehicles without being apprehended.

Unlike some other outlaws, "Black Bart" apparently dressed and spoke pretty well, so he wasn't immediately obvious as a criminal. The man also allegedly had a thing for poetry, with the outlaw reportedly leaving his work behind at the crime scene for law enforcement to discover. When he was eventually caught, Charles spent six years in jail before he disappeared.

Doc Holliday was apparently a dentist before he fell ill with tuberculosis

If we're going to think about the Wild West, we have to talk about the many notable people who lived during this era. Doc Holliday is a deserving name on the list, given how well he could handle a weapon. In the Wild West days, this was something that made a person someone to admire - or fear.

Holliday was reportedly a close friend of Wyatt Earp and also played a role in the showdown at O.K. Corral. However, one of the more surprising facts about him is he was also apparently a dentist. Doc reportedly joined the profession when he was 20 and remained in it until he developed tuberculosis and made money in other ways.

Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt were involved in one of the first quick-draw duels

Something that people often associate with the Wild West is quick-draw duels. The image of two people walking away from one another before turning and shooting is something that's become quite popular in fictional media. However, when did this all start? Apparently, one of the first recorded instances was in 1865 between Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt.

The two were reportedly friends, but their relationship eventually turned sour, thanks to disagreements over certain debts. They ended up having a showdown in Springfield, Missouri, where both men took a shot at one another. Unfortunately for Tutt, he missed his mark, whereas Hickok's aim was more on point. Davis passed away, and Bill was later acquitted of the crime.

Cattle drives could apparently keep cowboys away from home for months

Being away from home was something that plenty of cowboys had to deal with back in the 1800s. Considering their modes of transport weren't as fast and efficient as modern-day vehicles, this is perhaps understandable. Cattle drives were apparently the worst offenders for keeping them away from home, as these could take as long as three months.

While doing these cattle drives, the cowboys would reportedly spend all day traveling before camping under the stars. It was hard, sweaty work, but these men would supposedly go for weeks without bathing. Perhaps it was a good thing they weren't going home to their loved ones then? Luckily, they seemingly bathed in the river once they finished a trail.

The efforts of Captain Wheeler and his team resulted in topographic maps of the US

Some incredibly notable expeditions went down during the Wild West period. One of the biggest was reportedly conducted by the Wheeler Survey group, who traveled across the Western US under the leadership of Captain George Montague Wheeler. It's seemingly thanks to the efforts of these men that we now have topographic maps of the United States.

However, this work supposedly wasn't quick to complete. One of these interesting Wild West facts is that the group was apparently on the road for a decade. They pretty much spent the 1870s traveling and putting this all together, though that time certainly paid off for Wheeler. Several places in the US are now named after this man.

Billy the Kid was one of the most notorious outlaws alive during the Wild West era

Some names immediately send people's minds back to the Wild West period. Billy the Kid is one of them. Most people are aware of the Wild West criminal, even if they're not too familiar with what he actually did when he was alive. The most important thing to know, though, is that Billy was a notorious criminal.

The outlaw allegedly ended the lives of eight people before law enforcement captured him and locked him up. Although he initially managed to escape his confines, Billy soon lost his life to Sheriff Pat Garrett. Then again, rumors claim that he survived this encounter. Regardless, only two pictures were apparently ever taken of Billy before this happened.

Dodge City apparently wasn't somewhere to live if you valued your life

Have you ever heard people talking about wanting to get out of Dodge? Well, it seems that they might be referencing the Wild West, whether they realize it or not. That's because Dodge City was one of the most notorious places around during this period, thanks to the level of violence that reportedly reigned here.

Apparently, if you were in Dodge City between 1876 and 1885, there was a 1 in 61 chance that you would lose your life. Those are statistics that probably wouldn't make you sleep comfortably at night if this was your home. Although scholars are adamant that the Wild West wasn't as dangerous as people think, this may suggest otherwise.

Maiman established himself as a guide, interpreter, and friend to Timothy H. O'Sullivan

One of the well-known facts about the Wild West is that tensions were rife between the Native Americans and others in the US. Throughout this period, there was plenty of unrest, although many Native Americans gradually surrendered as time went on. One of the Mojave natives who put up less of a fight was Maiman.

He apparently made a name for himself as an interpreter and guide for people in Colorado. His work allegedly resulted in a friendship between him and Timothy H. O'Sullivan, one of the most notable photographers of the time. With Maiman's help, the man was reportedly able to capture some excellent photos of Native Americans outside of the photo studio.

Rose Dunn was in love with an outlaw, and things didn't end well

Another of the most famous women from the Wild West was Rose Dunn. Like many of the biggest names at the time, Rose was linked to crime. However, it was more that she was in love with an outlaw rather than being a hardened criminal herself. She had eyes for George "Bittercreek" Newcomb, who ran with the Wild Bunch.

Unfortunately for Rose, her brothers were bounty hunters who were very much interested in the reward placed on Newcomb's head. They reportedly ended the man's life while he was attempting to visit their sister and allegedly received $5,000 (around $176,300 today) each. Rumors suggest Rose might have been tricking the outlaw, but these have never been substantiated.

Goldie Griffith was apparently one of the standouts of Buffalo Bill's traveling show

Not all women of the Wild West were out committing crimes or falling in love with outlaws. Some made a name for themselves through entertainment, such as Goldie Griffith. She was part of Buffalo Bill's traveling show, meaning she was a name on plenty of people's lips back in the day. There's a good reason, too.

Although most women who joined the show were restricted to the background, Goldie wasn't. As a talented boxer and wrestler, she reportedly ended up becoming one of the star attractions of the traveling show. She earned a decent amount of money and fame from the gig, though Goldie supposedly only did it because she liked giving people a pummeling.

Charging Thunder appeared in Buffalo Bill's show before leaving for the UK

While tensions might have been rife with some Native Americans during the Wild West period, that wasn't the case everywhere. In fact, plenty of natives got along with the settlers, with some apparently even appearing in Buffalo Bill's traveling show. Charging Thunder was one of them. The Lakota Chief reportedly signed up for the gig when he was 26.

Not only did the native spend months working with the show, but he also allegedly had his head turned by one of the horse trainers. Charging Thunder ended up working with animals himself once he moved to the UK and helped to train elephants for Belle Vue Circus. It seems that Charging Thunder lived quite a varied life.

Saloon owners reportedly worked hard to make themselves stand out from the crowd

As surprising Wild West facts go, the notion that saloons were a big deal during this period is hardly astonishing to many. However, just because many people associate the Wild West with saloons, that doesn't mean they know everything about them. These establishments reportedly got their start in Wyoming in 1822, and they allegedly became popular quite quickly.

As more and more popped up across the US, saloon owners took great care to ensure they stood out from the crowd. They'd apparently dedicate many hours to pouring drinks so people would choose to relax in their saloon rather than someone else's. Occasionally, it paid off, as word of their establishment would sometimes spread pretty far.

The Pony Express only lasted for 18 months in the Wild West era

Nowadays, most people receive communication via social media or email. Before these existed, though, stuff typically came via mail, something that's transformed quite significantly over the years. During part of the Wild West era, this communication was delivered via the Pony Express, which reportedly traveled 1,900 miles to send messages between St Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California.

Although this is considered a famous symbol of this era, one of the surprising facts about the Wild West is that the Pony Express only really lasted for 18 months. It started in 1860, not long before the telegraph was developed and made the exchanging of important news much quicker. This effectively left the original mail service obsolete.

Mining brought a ton of interest to places like Virginia City

Something that people commonly associate with the Wild West period is mining. That makes sense, given the gold rushes that occurred during this era. As new areas of the United States were properly explored, people naturally discovered that there was a lot of material that had yet to be mined. Virginia City was a good example of this.

Home to two mines, the place was apparently brimming with silver just waiting to be extracted. When news of this spread, many people came to the area, allegedly resulting in a population of around 25,000 at one point. Unfortunately, as time went on and the silver deposits diminished, interest in Virginia City also started to drop.

Price gouging was apparently common in California's mining towns

It's not hard to see why these mining areas became so popular. They promised work and the opportunity to come across something very valuable. However, the influx of people to these places wasn't always a good thing, especially for those who didn't have much money to their name. That's because mining towns allegedly saw a significant amount of price gouging.

For instance, a single egg in one of California's mining towns in 1851 might have cost $3, the equivalent of roughly $115 today. What's more, a pound of butter could have set someone back $20. Could you imagine spending over $750 for that today? It was typically more expensive to live in these towns than in modern-day Silicon Valley.

The discovery of borax in the Wild West came with one slight issue

Gold and silver weren't the only things that people discovered during the Wild West. Something else there proved to be plenty of back then was borax, which Aaron Winters reportedly discovered back in the day. He allegedly found the crystals in a dried-up lake, and he supposedly saw his opportunity to make quite a bit of money. 

Unfortunately, the location of this borax wasn't ideal, given it was in one of the hottest and driest parts of the United States. Nevertheless, Winters reportedly wasn't willing to just leave it there. So, he apparently enlisted 20 mules to help move the stuff across the arid region to the nearest train station, where it was then easier to transport.

Annie Oakley reportedly found success in Buffalo Bill's traveling show from a young age

The women of the Wild West established themselves just as successfully as the men. However, if there's one who really stood out from the crowd, it's Annie Oakley. Her talents with a weapon meant that many people couldn't forget her name even if they tried, and that's kept her legacy going for over a century now.

Oakley found success with Buffalo Bill's traveling show. One of the more interesting Wild West facts is that she was apparently only 15 when this happened, with age proving to be just a number. Establishing her talent so young only helped Oakley to stand out more, with Annie eventually earning more money in the show than anyone else.

Bob Saloon was apparently one of the most popular drinking spots in the Wild West

Saloons and the Wild West went hand in hand, but some of these establishments were more notable than others. The Bob Saloon, for instance, was apparently one of the more popular of these places. Unlike many other saloons, it wasn't a huge building, but it still reportedly attracted tons of people in Jordan, Montana, nonetheless.

It was allegedly around the turn of the 20th century that this location saw a lot of success with locals and visitors alike. Robert Leavitt was the man who ran it and was reportedly one of the first to settle in this area. The cowboy seemingly saw an opportunity to make money, and his efforts paid off.

John Eugene Osborne apparently made shoes out of a man's skin

One of the most surprising facts about the Wild West comes courtesy of John Eugene Osborne. The man did many notable things during his lifetime, including working as a physician, farmer, and a governor of Wyoming. However, it's what he did with the body of "Big Nose" George Parrott that really made him stand out.

It seems that Osborne examined the man's body after his execution and ended up doing something unusual with part of his skin. He seemingly used some of it as material to create a pair of boots. These were boots that Osborne apparently went on to wear for the inaugural ball when he was named governor in 1892.

Saloons were apparently popular with all sorts of people in the Wild West

Many people probably imagine that saloons were the favored place for cowboys to hang out in the Wild West era, and they'd apparently be right. However, these people weren't the only ones who reportedly enjoyed a few drinks in these spots. Another of our interesting Wild West facts is that all sorts of people apparently spent time here.

Travelers, lawyers, soldiers, gold diggers, and more also allegedly frequented saloons during this period. The fact that these establishments were generally open 24/7 made them quite appealing to a lot of people. Mainly, they were somewhere you could go to play games, have some beverages, and just relax after a busy day at work.

Alice Ivers Tubbs made her mark in the Wild West through gambling

Alice Ivers Tubbs is another notable name from the Wild West, although what made her stand out might not be what you'd expect. It seems the woman knew how to handle herself when it came to gambling. Although this was something that primarily only men were involved in back then, some women - like Alice - made their mark too.

Apparently, she made $250,000 in winnings throughout her life. She reportedly learned the tricks of the trade through her first husband and was not one to mess with. Stories claim that she once shot someone in the arm for threatening her future husband. Alice also allegedly ended a soldier's life after he started destroying her saloon.

Making it in Buffalo Bill's traveling show could set someone up for success

There were several ways to make big money in the Wild West. Finding unmined materials was one and robbing people was another. However, If you were looking to make a decent and regular income, performing in Buffalo Bill's traveling show was perhaps the way to go. After all, the success of this in the Wild West was seemingly unmatched.

Although charisma, uniqueness, and talent were typically needed for this show, if you managed to impress, you wouldn't have to worry about being out of work. Plus, the show catered to all sorts of performance styles, so there were plenty of ways to stand out. It's no wonder that Buffalo Bill's show was apparently advertised as having something for everyone.

Settlers and Native American tribes did allegedly get along in parts of the US

Relations between the settlers and the Native Americans varied quite significantly across the US in the Wild West. While many engaged in conflict that ultimately saw the former come out on top, others made more of an effort to get along. Some settlers accepted that the natives were here first and opted to work alongside them, and vice versa.

This resulted in some Native American tribes embracing the ways of the new arrivals by doing things like wearing their clothes. It was quite remarkable, especially given the tensions in other parts of the US. This was proof, though, that both sides could live in harmony and accept each other's cultures without resorting to violence.

Buffalo Bill's traveling show was apparently so bad that it was good

Considering how lauded Buffalo Bill's traveling show seemed to be, you might assume it was the most amazing show on Earth. However, one of the more surprising Wild West facts is that it was actually the opposite. Stories say that although they would apparently stage plays around things like buffalo hunts or famous robberies, the cast weren’t necessarily amazing actors.

Fortunately, it seems that the group was so bad that it ended up making the show enjoyable. They apparently never failed to get laughs out of the audience; it was just usually for the wrong reason. Things occasionally got out of hand, though, like the time that Bill Hickok reportedly took out a stage light with his weapon.

Some photos of the Wild West have been lost to history, while others have been salvaged

Photos of the Wild West aren't necessarily that easy to come by. After all, they didn't have smartphones back then, so it was only those who could afford cameras that were able to snap shots of life during that era. What's more, some of these photos have become lost to time because they only existed as physical copies.

This image is one that was almost lost to history until Phil Spangenberger found it in a Californian antique shop. The store was apparently located near the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which potentially acted as the backdrop to this image. Experts claim it was likely taken sometime around 1900, but they've no idea who is actually in the picture.

Jim Miller was apparently both an outlaw and devoted churchgoer in the Wild West

If you have assumptions that all outlaws were the same in the Wild West, you might want to reconsider. For instance, one of the little-known facts about the Wild West is that some of the most notorious criminals were actually quite religious. This might seem like a contradiction, but you only need to look at Jim Miller for proof.

Although he allegedly took the lives of a dozen people, he was also a regular at his church and never engaged in certain behaviors, such as drinking. That's why some apparently knew him as "Deacon Jim." Unfortunately for him, after he ended the life of a former deputy US marshal, the people fought back, and Jim’s life ended in 1909.

After Native Americans kidnapped a child, he allegedly didn't want to go home

It was one of the facts of the Wild West that kidnapping was something you always had to have your guard up for. With so many outlaws roaming around, this was always a risk, and Santiago "Jimmy" McKinn was one such victim. He was apparently taken by Geronimo and other Apache tribe members while on a walk.

Although they claimed his brother's life, they allowed the boy to live. McKinn ended up staying with them for six months, during which time he adjusted to their language and way of life. When General George Crook reportedly found the boy months later, he was allegedly reluctant to leave. It seems Jimmy viewed the tribe as his family now.

Bandanas seemingly served a bunch of different purposes in the Wild West

Cowboys might not have worn everything that many assumed, but there are parts of the stereotypical outfit that are historically accurate. Bandanas, for instance. Many people are probably accustomed to the image of these men wearing them around their necks. However, not everyone knows what purpose this served. Apparently, there were quite a few on the list.

It's one of the facts of the Wild West that bandanas had a ton of uses, from protecting cowboys from sunburn to acting as pot holders. They were probably most commonly used in cattle drives as they kept away all the dirt that the cattle kicked up. Of course, outlaws also got plenty of use out of them as disguises.

Tiburcio Vásquez apparently had a knack for evading justice in the Wild West

There were so many outlaws in the Wild West that it'd take a long time to talk about all of them. However, one that's definitely worth mentioning is Tiburcio Vásquez. While he might not be remembered as much as guys like Billy the Kid, he apparently stole thousands during his criminal career. He also held some prominent people for ransom.

Law enforcement frequently thought they'd gotten the upper hand on Tiburcio. However, he was a wily one and somehow always managed to get away, even when he was wounded. His downfall reportedly came when a woman turned him in, something that was perhaps bound to happen, given how often Tiburcio allegedly seduced the women around him.

Timothy H. O'Sullivan made his mark as one of the Wild West's greatest photographers

Given that photography was still in its early days during the Wild West period, there wasn't tons of competition in this field. Nevertheless, budding photographers still went out of their way to showcase their skills and capture incredible photos of the world around them. Out of all of these people, Timothy H. O'Sullivan was perhaps the most notable.

The man was responsible for capturing some of the most famous photos from the Wild West, so it's no wonder that his name lives on in history. Even though he only lived to his 40s and passed away in 1882, Timothy’s legacy continues more than a century later. His contributions to documenting life in this era will never be forgotten.

Wyatt Earp was a leading lawman with a remarkable talent for avoiding injury

The Earp family is pretty synonymous with the Wild West, but it's Wyatt Earp that made the biggest mark out of himself and his brothers. He was one of the most notable lawmen of this time period, taking out several cowboys during his lifetime. He was also one of the men involved in the O.K Corral showdown.

One of the most intriguing Wild West facts regarding Wyatt is that he was apparently never injured in any of the fights he was in. His brothers weren't so lucky, with one apparently being maimed and the other losing their life. Wyatt always seemed to emerge unscathed, though, which added to his legacy after he passed away.

Mary Katherine Horony is somehow one of the Wild West's most overlooked figures

While some figures from the Wild West have stood the test of time, others have largely been forgotten. That's not to say they didn't make their mark back then, though. Take Mary Katherine Horony, for instance. Sometimes known as "Big Nose Kate," she's a figure that many aren't familiar with, even though she was Doc Holliday's common-law wife.

If it wasn't for Kate, Holliday might never have gotten to know Wyatt Earp. What's more, the woman was apparently responsible for busting her partner out of prison when he had too much to drink one night. She allegedly set the place on fire so he could break out. Despite all this, though, Mary's not remembered as often as others.

Pearl Hart went from Canadian teenager to imprisoned robber in a matter of years

Pearl Hart is another of the Wild West's famous women, and it seems she lived quite a life. Although originally based in Canada, she reportedly eloped with Fredrick Hart when she was 17. After the relationship turned sour, she apparently left him and traveled to Arizona. It was there that Pearl crossed paths with Joe Boot.

When mining didn't provide them with the income they needed, the pair allegedly turned to robbery. Unfortunately, their efforts to steal from a stagecoach failed after they allegedly found themselves lost in the desert. The duo was captured, but Pearl was reportedly pardoned after 18 months. A lack of female accommodation in prison was apparently the reason.

Weaving was reportedly used by some tribes to benefit them and the settlers

There are plenty of surprising Wild West facts regarding Native Americans and the settlers that don't revolve around conflict. One example of this is the way that some tribes learned to take advantage of the newcomers to their land. They did this through activities like weaving, something that apparently ultimately proved beneficial for those on both sides.

Many people in these tribes became highly skilled in weaving and were able to create clothes, rugs, blankets, shelters, and other goods for those around them. They eventually offered some of their creations to the settlers in exchange for things like food and supplies. Everyone involved benefited from this, proving they could share the land without resorting to conflict.

Geronimo reportedly escaped from his reservation three times after being captured

Unfortunately, when people think of interesting Wild West facts regarding Native Americans in this time period, conflict is usually at the center. One person who was heavily involved in the major conflict between the Apache tribes and the settlers was Geronimo. He reportedly spent decades fighting against those who seemingly wanted to take the land from his people.

Ultimately, Geronimo was captured in 1877 and sent to a reservation in Arizona. However, he apparently wasn't willing to settle down quietly. Over the next decade, he reportedly escaped three times, doing so in 1878, 1881, and 1885. 5,000 soldiers allegedly spent over a year trying to track him down, with Geronimo then formally surrendering to the US.

The name for a hand in poker apparently relates to Bill Hickok's final moments

When it comes to games like poker, certain hands have names. The story behind these names is quite interesting and is where life in the Wild West comes into play. That's because the name for having two aces and two eights allegedly originated from the final moments of Wild Bill Hickok's life. Who would have thought?

The story goes that Jack McCall put his weapon to the back of the man's head and ended his life during a game. In Hickok's hand at the time were allegedly these cards, along with the queen of spades. Of course, there are varying stories regarding what was actually on the cards, so it's hard to know the exact truth.

Plenty of people in the Wild West grew accustomed to life on the road

In the Wild West, plenty of towns were getting their start and weren't the bustling places we're used to today. How quickly somewhere developed sometimes depended on what was in the area, with mines usually quite influential. People generally went wherever the work was, which meant a lot of traveling around during this time period.

As a result, it was apparently quite common for people to live on the road. Many supposedly adjusted to never being properly settled somewhere for long because they knew that labor demands could change quite quickly. For instance, a mine might have offered decent work, but once the materials were gone, it was time to start looking elsewhere.

Calamity Jane was allegedly buried next to Bill Hickok as a joke

Calamity Jane is one of those names that many people tend to know, even if they're not familiar with what she actually did. The woman was one of the Wild West's more colorful characters, with plenty of stories told about her. Of course, as with a lot of stuff like this, what's true and what isn't is up for debate.

One of the more surprising Wild West facts about Calamity Jane is that she was apparently buried next to Bill Hickok as a joke. The two were acquainted, but accounts differ as to whether Hicok cared for Jane or not. Some say that the man had "no use" for her, so she was buried beside him for the laughs.

The Navajo Nation has apparently been living on inhospitable land for a long time

Over the years, Native Americans lost a significant portion of land to the US. The places they call home are now smaller than they used to be, much like their numbers. However, they always manage to adapt and survive, despite what's thrown at them. That includes having to live on what many others would consider inhospitable land.

This is something that the Navajo Nation - the second-largest tribe in the US - has allegedly had to deal with for a long time now. When thousands of members of the tribe were captured in 1864, they were reportedly made to walk over 300 miles to reach this land. Unfortunately, a lot of Native Americans didn't survive this ordeal.

The Pacific Railroad was a major Wild West project that allegedly took six years

The Wild West covered a lot of years, so it perhaps makes sense that the nation saw some major developments during this time. One of these was advances in locomotive technology, with plans for the Pacific Railroad apparently being established during this period. Unfortunately, any hopes of this project being completed quickly went out the window before long.

A railway line running from California to Iowa was always going to take time, even with skilled workers putting it together. Many Chinese laborers were reportedly brought in to help complete the project, which entailed all manner of tasks. Some of these were quite dangerous, and the railroad apparently took six years to finish as a result.

Jesse James made his mark on the Wild West with his criminal activity

We can't talk about the biggest names in the Wild West and not touch on one that many people will be familiar with - Jesse James. The man firmly established his place in history through his criminal activities during this era. He was one of the most wanted men in the US, thanks to his series of robberies.

Of course, it wasn't just money and goods that Jesse James stole - it was also people's lives. He allegedly claimed at least 20 victims during his criminal reign of terror. Many were reportedly afraid of him, but few knew how to track him down. The Ford brothers were apparently the only people Jesse trusted, and they ultimately betrayed him.

Someone previously came forward claiming to be the "real" Jesse James

There are plenty of interesting Wild West facts regarding Jesse James, but one of the most surprising is the notion that someone else claimed to be him. In Granbury, Texas, there's a body of a man who claimed to be Jesse James. That man was J. Frank Dalton, who lived to be over 100 before he passed.

In 1948, Dalton apparently came forward and confessed to being the "real" Jesse James. It's unclear what prompted him to make the claim and if he did actually have any connection to the criminal. However, he was allegedly lying about his identity because DNA reportedly proves that the actual Jesse James is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kearney.

Jesse James had an older brother who was also an outlaw in the Wild West

Jesse James is such an iconic figure of the Wild West that people sometimes forget about those who were around him. That includes the man's older brother, who outlived him by quite a few decades. Born in 1843, Frank James was a Confederate soldier for one part of his life and an outlaw for another.

Frank wasn't as infamous as his brother, but he did partake in at least four robberies, some of which involved the loss of innocent lives. Five months after Jesse passed away, his brother reportedly surrendered to Governor Thomas Crittenden. However, he was never convicted of anything and reportedly lived out the rest of his days doing things like selling shoes.

John Wesley Hardin was one of the most violent outlaws of the Wild West

It's hard to find an outlaw who really compares to someone as infamous as Jesse James. However, there were a few who made quite a mark during the Wild West, particularly John Wesley Hardin. This man from Bonham, Texas, began his criminal career as a teenager, reportedly attacking one student with a knife and ending the lives of three soldiers.

According to his autobiography, he was responsible for the loss of 44 lives, although there isn't necessarily evidence to support this. One person who Hardin supposedly claimed the life of was a man who snored too loud in the hotel room next to him. Hardin had been drinking and, in his agitation, pulled out his weapon and ended his life.

Charles Kennedy was a serial criminal who ended many lives in the Wild West

Serial criminals tend to be masters of deception who keep their crimes in the shadows. This might not seem to match with a lot of what went on in the Wild West. However, that doesn't mean such criminals weren't at work here. Take Charles Kennedy, for example. He allegedly ended the lives of several people between 1865 and 1871.

He was ultimately caught after his son mentioned a body being under the floor to a visiting traveler. Although Kennedy ended the life of both the man and his son, his wife ultimately escaped his clutches and fled to Elizabethtown, 15 miles away. She told people in the local saloon that the remains of twenty men were on their property.

The O.K. Corral showdown apparently only lasted around 30 seconds

There were plenty of epic showdowns in the Wild West. However, perhaps the most famous of all of these was the one at O.K. Corral. So, it might surprise you to know that one of the most interesting facts about the Wild West revolves around how short this showdown was. Apparently, it was all over in 30 seconds.

It was still a monumental fight, with the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday facing off against the likes of Billy Clanton and Tom McLaury. Three people passed away that day, and another three were injured. Although the Earps and Holliday were tried for their actions during the showdown, the men were ultimately acquitted of any wrongdoing.

Elmer McCurdy's body went on quite a journey after he passed away

Most of the people from the Wild West made a name for themselves while they were still alive. Not Elmer McCurdy, though. During his lifetime, he apparently conducted a series of botched robberies that ended with a train robbery in Oklahoma in 1911. After his passing, his remains were apparently sold to a carnival owner to be mummified.

McCurdy's body reportedly spent years on display in a traveling sideshow before ending up in a warehouse. He remained here until 1968. Then, he was sold to the Hollywood Wax Museum, under the assumption he was a prop, and again later to a California amusement park. Elmer was finally discovered by a production crew in 1976 and properly buried.

One of Jesse James' Wild West robberies caused a train to derail

Jesse James was known for pulling off a ton of robberies in the Wild West. Perhaps one of the most famous of these occurred in July 1873, when he and his crew managed to derail a train. They'd loosened part of the track near Adrian, Iowa, with some rope, causing the vehicle to end up in a ditch.

Not everyone survived this robbery, with the driver reportedly losing his life in the crash. What was it all for? Around $2,000, apparently. That translates to almost $50,000 today, which is still a lot of money, but it wasn't the stockpile of gold that James had been expecting. Still, the robbery put his name on the map.

Butch Cassidy fled from the Wild West but still passed in the same way as other outlaws

When it comes to famous names from the Wild West, Butch Cassidy is another one that people often think about. His real name was Robert Parker, and he formed part of the Wild Bunch during this era in the US. Cassidy's criminal life reportedly began around 1880 with some minor theft and continued until the end of his life.

Unlike plenty of the Wild West's biggest outlaws, Butch didn't actually pass away on North American soil. He fled the US with Harry Longbaugh, his companion known famously as the Sundance Kid. However, while he might not have lost his life in the US, he still allegedly went out the same way as many other outlaws - in a shootout.

Billy the Kid achieved so much in a short space of time

One of the most surprising Wild West facts is just how young Billy the Kid was when he reportedly passed away. While plenty of outlaws didn't make it to old age during this era, Billy lost his life when he was only 21. Despite being so young, though, he still managed to do so much with his time.

The outlaw's life of crime allegedly began when he was 16, and over the next five years, he stole from people, ended lives, and evaded arrest. At one point, he was involved in the Lincoln County War of 1878, and later on, he managed to escape jail after being convicted of someone's passing. It seems he was a busy man.

Bass Reeves went from a lifelong slave to the Wild West's first black deputy US marshal

The abolishment of slavery in the US played a huge role in the Wild West and helped plenty of black people to achieve great things during their lifetime. Bass Reeves is a perfect example of this. To those who aren't familiar with the name, Reeves was the first black person to become a deputy US marshal in the west.

This prominent role followed years of slavery, something that Bass had apparently been born into. In his role as a deputy US marshal, he reportedly made more than 3,000 arrests. Although Reeves was allegedly more interested in bringing people in alive so they could face trial, he did reportedly end the lives of 14 people in self-defense.

Buffalo Bill had quite a life before he set up his famous traveling show

We know that Buffalo Bill's traveling show was huge in the Wild West. However, who was William Frederick Cody, aka Buffalo Bill, before he was dazzling the western United States with these performances? The man started work early at the age of 11, following the loss of his father. One of his earliest jobs was with the Pony Express.

Following involvement in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars, he made his stage debut and never looked back. Perhaps one of the more surprising Wild West facts is that critics weren't the biggest fan of Buffalo Bill. However, the audience apparently couldn't have felt more different, allowing him to gradually establish his traveling show and become a star.

Alta was originally a mining town that was largely destroyed in the Wild West

If you were to visit Alta in Salt Lake County, Utah, nowadays, you'd have a very different experience from some 150 years ago. The town was founded in 1865 as a place for miners working in the surrounding area to live. The place was once rich in silver ore, but as with many mines, this was eventually exhausted.

Most of the original town was actually destroyed in the following decades by a fire and an avalanche. There was apparently only one person left by the 1930s, who eventually donated his land to the US Forest Service for it to become a ski area. Thanks to this, the site is now famous for this activity rather than mining.

"Seam squirrels" were apparently an issue caused by a lack of clean bedding

A good night's sleep is something that pretty much everyone can appreciate. However, it was something that typically wasn't guaranteed in the wild west. Many of the beds back then were made using straw and hay, materials that weren't always that comfortable. This wasn't necessarily the biggest issue, though. It was the creatures infesting the bedding that were the problem.

It's probably not one of the most surprising Wild West facts that bedding wasn't changed that often during this era. Unfortunately, that poor hygiene led to the infestation of "seam squirrels," or lice. Joining them were mosquitoes, which often flocked in poorly insulated buildings, and flies that took great interest in people's outhouses. These bugs could make sleeping very difficult.

Chinese laborers were vital in the completion of railroads in the Wild West

The railway network in the US probably wouldn't look the way it does today if it weren't for the help of foreign laborers. During the construction of the nation's first transcontinental railroad, many Chinese workers were brought on board to help. Many of them were eager to escape the issues at home and provide for their families.

These workers quickly proved themselves as manual laborers, with plenty reportedly being upgraded to jobs as tracklayers, masons, and even foremen. They completed a significant bulk of the work, yet at the end of the day, their efforts were often overlooked. It's continued to be a cause of great controversy many years after the Wild West era ended.

Anti-Asian violence was a serious issue during the Wild West era

Unfortunately, while Chinese laborers might have been pivotal in the development of the rail network, their contributions were more than just overlooked. Offensiveness toward Asian people was reportedly rife during this era, to the point that serious acts of violence were committed against them. That includes the 1871 Los Angeles lynching when over a dozen Asian people lost their lives.

The anger towards this population was allegedly driven by a fear that the Chinese workers were putting the livelihoods of white men at risk. Countless acts of anti-Asian violence occurred, with this lynching being just one example. To this day, it's one of the largest mass lynchings in the nation's history, as over 500 people stormed LA's Chinese quarter.

The development of railroads didn't come without its share of problems

The development of the railway network during the Wild West brought great change to the US, especially with the development of the transcontinental railroad. However, there were times when it seemed like these railways were more trouble than they were worth. For one, the settlements that appeared to house railroad workers were often rife with corruption, outlaws, and excessive drinking.

What's more, the increase in trains moving across the west provided criminals with more opportunities to steal for their own gain. Plenty of the biggest robberies during the Wild West were committed on trains, such as the Iowa train robbery in 1873 and the Wilcox train robbery in 1899. Thankfully, the west isn't so wild anymore.

People reportedly moved to the west during this era for plenty of reasons

The west is now home to some of the most populated states in the US. However, this likely wouldn't be the case if there hadn't been mass movement in this direction during the Wild West era. What prompted so many people to abandon the east? For some, it meant escaping what were, at the time, very crowded cities.

There was a ton of land up for grabs in the west back in those days, and it could be purchased for a relatively low price. With the soil also apparently being great for farming, this land could prove to be an excellent investment. Plus, there was the possibility of finding gold in the west, which attracted many people too.

Black widow spider bites weren't necessarily uncommon in the Wild West

Nothing will make you more grateful for modern-day privileges quite like hearing how people used the bathroom in the Wild West. Back in those days, toilets were typically outhouses that were built near people's homes. They were basically just a hole in the ground with a small wooden structure on top, so at least people got their privacy.

Aside from having a terrible smell, these outhouses attracted plenty of pests, including black widow spiders. It wasn't uncommon for these arachnids to make their cobwebs in the hole in the ground and bite once someone sat down. We have to wonder how many people - men, in particular - passed away from this during those Wild West days.

Tombstone was home to more than just one of the Wild West's biggest conflicts

When it comes to famous areas founded during the Wild West era, Tombstone is probably one of the biggest. The Arizona city reportedly got its start in 1877 with prospector Ed Schieffelin. The place was notable for being the site of the O.K. Corral conflict between the Earps and The Cowboys, but that was just one of many dramas.

Thanks to the city's proximity to the US and Mexico border, it wasn't uncommon for Tombstone to be a hotspot for smugglers. What's more, the area became increasingly isolated after plans to build a railroad into Tombstone fell through. Then, several fires in the early 1800s destroyed dozens of businesses thanks to poor building practices and a lack of protection.

The historic town of Orleans Flat was once home to some controversial body snatching

Orleans Flat probably isn't a destination that many people are too familiar with nowadays. Back in the Wild West, though, it was a mining town on the San Juan Ridge that saw some surprising activity. One example of this is what went down with Dr. Kittredge. It seems that he once dug up the buried body of a young child.

Apparently, his reason for doing this was for scientific inspection, but the townspeople weren't happy. They allegedly wanted to lynch Kittredge but decided against it on the basis that he return the body unharmed. Sadly, that didn't mean they could forgive and forget what happened. Kittredge was shunned by the locals and reportedly left Orleans Flat for good.

The first robbery in the Wild West was allegedly committed in Orleans Flat

This incident with Dr. Kittredge wasn't the only notable thing to reportedly happen in Orleans Flat. One of the more interesting Wild West facts about this California town is that it was allegedly the home of the first robbery in the west. This was reportedly committed by Richard Curtis, who worked at the bank of Marks & Co., which he robbed.

Curtis apparently stole around $3,000, which translates to over $100,000 today. His actions in 1860 likely came as a surprise, given he'd apparently been a trusted employee at the bank for a while. What's more, it seems he got away with his crime because there was never a follow-up story after the robbery was committed.

Calico was one of California's biggest suppliers of silver until the 1890s

The west is full of ghost towns that used to be booming during the days of the Wild West. California is home to quite a few of them, including Calico in San Bernardino County. The town was founded in 1881 and soon became one of the state's biggest suppliers of silver over the next decade.

Unfortunately, Calico wasn't destined to be a hub of activity for very long, and that was all down to the Silver Purchase Act of 1890. After this brought the price of silver down significantly, it was only a matter of years before Calico's mines stopped being economically viable. Once these closed down, the place fell apart and was eventually abandoned.

The Dalton Gang met their end after a double bank robbery went wrong

The Wild West era saw many outlaw gangs make their mark on the US. Although these gangs managed to pull off many impressive crimes, most of them lost their lives relatively young. The Dalton Gang, which consisted of brothers Grat, Bill, Bob, and Emmett, was one example of that. They met their end in the 1892 Coffeyville bank robberies.

The gang decided to rob two banks simultaneously, but someone recognized them and spread word around the town before they could pull the heists off. When the criminals emerged from the banks, the townspeople were ready and opened fire. Although some innocent men were caught in the crossfire, Emmett was the gang's only survivor and spent years in jail afterward.

The gold rush pushed forward the development of many industries in the Wild West

While many things prompted people to move west in the 1800s, there's no denying that the prospect of finding gold contributed massively. The gold rush shaped the nation significantly, helping to push development in areas like communication and transportation. After all, those that moved westward to mine for this stuff wanted to keep in touch with those back home.

Another industry that benefited significantly from the gold rush was manufacturing, thanks to the need for mining machinery and hydraulic equipment. There was also a need for more lumber, clothing, and agriculture, with developments in these areas also becoming more rapid. It's hard to imagine an industry that didn't benefit from the gold rush in the west.

Sourcing clean water was often easier said than done in those days

Life in the Wild West might have been very different from what it is today. However, there were things people relied on then that are still just as important now. This includes water. Unfortunately, due to problematic hygiene practices and a lack of technology that could purify water, this stuff wasn't always as beneficial as it should have been.

There were often issues with outhouses contaminating water supplies, not that everyone was aware of this until it was too late. Moreover, stagnant water attracted bugs that could also contaminate the supply. Fortunately, people in the Wild West did find ways to try and reduce their issues. However, it meant things like only bathing weekly and not washing clothes.

Portsmouth Square was a hub of activity, thanks to the California Gold Rush

Another place of note in California during the Wild West was Portsmouth Square. Although it was founded before this era, many historical events didn't start happening here until later on. This included a notable funeral in 1859, one that was reportedly attended by 30,000 people. The funeral was for senator David C. Broderick who'd passed away in a duel.

One of the benefits of Portsmouth Square was that it was ideally located for the gold rush that brought so much attention to California. The population of this area surged at the end of the 1840s, and it remained a hub of activity for many years into the Wild West era. Nowadays, it's considered the "heart" of Chinatown.

Cattle drives were one of the Wild West's most significant forms of economic activity

People often think of cattle drives as being synonymous with the Wild West because they were. They were a major form of economic activity throughout this era as animals were sent hundreds of miles across the United States. The reason these drives often took so long was that the cattle would lose too much weight if they traveled faster.

The purpose of cattle drives was primarily to provide for places in the east that needed meat while making money in the process. However, efforts to achieve this weren't always successful. For instance, the first large-scale effort to get cattle from Texas to Chicago reportedly failed due to farmers threatening any cattlemen on their lands.

Gertrude Käsebier photographed the Native Americans in Buffalo Bill's traveling show

The Wild West saw a ton of conflict between Native Americans and US citizens. However, one place where there seemingly wasn't bad blood was in Buffalo Bill's traveling show. He had plenty of natives among his performers, and this seemingly attracted the attention of Gertrude Käsebier. Gertrude was a New York photographer who wanted to celebrate the Native American people.

Käsebier apparently wrote to Buffalo Bill, asking him if she could photograph the Sioux Indians who performed in his show, as well as their families. He apparently agreed, and from 1898 onward, she spent years snapping shots and building friendships with these people. Iron White Man was just one of the many that Käsebier photographed during this period.

Diamondfield Jack avoided being hanged after a last-minute appeal saved his life

The Wild West was full of intriguing people, Diamondfield Jack being one of them. He seemed to work many different jobs throughout his lifetime, from being a miner to a cowboy. However, one of the things he was best known for was narrowly avoiding being hanged after the loss of two sheepmen was reportedly blamed on him.

The jury was apparently quick to find Jack guilty, but his lawyers were adamant about appealing the ruling. Two men ended up confessing to the crime over a year after he was sentenced, but their confessions were apparently thrown out. Fortunately, they turned public opinion in Jack's favor, eventually resulting in an appeal that saved him hours before his hanging.

Chris Blair's first robbery allegedly didn't go to plan in Virginia City

Virginia City saw significant popularity throughout the Wild West, with its population reportedly peaking in the mid-1870s. That's thanks to the discovery of silver deposits attracting many miners to the area. Someone else who was attracted to this part of the US was Chris Blair, but it wasn't mining opportunities he was after. He was more interested in the banks.

Blair's first robbery was reportedly in Virginia City in the late 1860s, and it didn't go entirely to plan. He and his friends ended up leaving with nothing, with one of them even allegedly shooting himself in the foot. What's more, they were later caught, although there supposedly wasn't enough evidence to convict Blair, leaving him free to continue robbing.

The Oklahoma Land Rush in 1889 attracted 50,000 hopeful settlers

Nowadays, it might be hard to imagine a time when large swathes of land were there for the taking. Things were different during the Wild West, though, which is why there were things like the Oklahoma Land Rush. This was a day in April 1889 when 50,000 settlers all raced to stake their claim on land in the state.

The US government had made sections of affordable land available for white settlers, which many saw as holding agricultural and ranching promise. President Benjamin Harrison decreed that the land would become available to the people at precisely noon on April 22. Settlers were available to claim 160 acres of land, with immigrants and women also eligible to participate.

Roy Bean's reputation as a hanging judge apparently isn't that accurate

The Wild West is known as such because it was a particularly unruly era in American history, where obeying the law wasn't always commonplace. That doesn't mean the west was without law and order, though. There were sheriffs trying to keep everyone in order and judges ready to potentially sentence a criminal to meet their maker.

One such judge was Roy Bean, whose court was reportedly held in a saloon in a southwestern Texas desert. Despite what modern media adaptations may say about him, the man apparently only ever sentenced two people to be hanged. What's more, one of these men allegedly escaped before he could lose his life. The other guy wasn't so lucky.

Communal towels in drinking establishments helped the spread of disease

It seems there was no shortage of ways for people to spread germs in the Wild West. Something else that proved problematic for hygiene in this era was the use of communal towels in drinking establishments. It seems that the purpose of these was for patrons to wipe any foam from their mouths after drinking.

With these towels so readily available, it wasn't hard for germs to be transferred to them and then passed around by anyone who used them. Eventually, the realization of how problematic these towels could be resulted in them being removed from such establishments. Still, this was after many people had gotten sick by wiping their mouths with them.

Bull Chief was a Native American chief who lived quite an adventurous life

Bull Chief was the kind of man who liked to do things differently. Part of the Apsaroke tribe, he was never particularly successful with war parties when he was younger. However, after climbing Cloud Peak and spending half a week fasting in the snow, his luck turned around. From then on, he became a great warrior against the US Army.

Bull Chief was a prominent figure in the war against the US and raided many white settlements throughout the 1870s. He survived the conflict, reportedly living until 1914, well into his 80s. It seems that Bull Chief was not one to stay devoted to one woman during his life, as he apparently had 15 wives over the years.

Gold Hill is no longer the prosperous town that it was in the Wild West

For several decades, Gold Hill in Nevada was a good place to be. From the late-1860s to the late-1880s, there was a lot of prosperity here. This was primarily because of the Comstock Lode, a major deposit of gold and silver ore. The various mines in this area brought millions to the town, but this couldn't last forever.

Nowadays, Gold Hill looks much sparser than it was in the Wild West era when at least 8,000 people reportedly lived there. Some remnants of buildings from those days still remain, including the former Bank of California building and the Gold Hill Hotel. The latter was reportedly erected in 1861, making it the oldest hotel in the state.

Trappers could be considered the unsung heroes of the Wild West

In the Wild West, people did what they could to earn money and survive. For some, that meant becoming trappers. Apparently, many men who did this were illiterate and owned little outside of their weapons and traps. They spent years in the wilderness and apparently weren't accustomed to the more civilized life of people in the surrounding towns.

These were some of the hardiest men in the Wild West, and they played a vital role in creating paths through the west. In later years, some of them went on to lead expeditions because of their knowledge of where to go and how to survive. After all, these men repeatedly put their lives on the line as their job.

The San Juan Mountains were apparently full of silver but treacherous to explore

Once the California Gold Rush had people excited about mining, many sought opportunities to find precious materials all over the western US. Somewhere that apparently attracted people's interest was the Rocky Mountains, with Colorado gaining popularity as a result. The San Juan Mountains pictured here were one of the places where miners saw the potential to earn a living.

It's maybe no wonder why, given that these mountains were apparently loaded with silver. Of course, with these areas being so remote and undeveloped, this was easier said than done. What's more, they weren't the safest places to explore, with shafts reportedly collapsing, flooding, or poisoning miners with toxic gasses at the drop of a hat.

Calamity Jane was apparently a woman of many sides and abilities

Outside of her alleged burial alongside Wild Bill Hickok, there's a lot worth knowing about Martha Jane Cannary, aka Calamity Jane. For one, she was allegedly quite a compassionate woman and would reportedly tend to those who were sick or in need when she could. This was quite a contrast to the other side of her character.

Calamity Jane was also apparently a daredevil who wasn't afraid to get into a fight with the Native tribes. She was a woman of experience, too, racking up all sorts of jobs during her lifetime. Over the years, she reportedly worked as a dance hall girl, nurse, cook, dishwasher, waitress, and more. She could seemingly do everything.

Santa Fe has come a long way from how it was in the Wild West

It's perhaps no surprise that the US looks vastly different now than how it did in the Wild West. However, seeing the comparison can still be quite eye-opening. The next of these Wild West photos show what Santa Fe looked like during this era compared to now, with the former being far sparser than the modern-day counterpart.

Santa Fe is actually the oldest European community on this side of the Mississippi and was founded centuries before the Wild West. It was also put at risk during the western development of the railroad after plans to build a network through the city never happened. This led to an economic decline into the 20th century that fortunately turned around.

The Bisbee massacre was the result of a poorly-timed general store robbery

One of the clear facts about the Wild West is that this was a time of great violence. That sometimes resulted in massacres, like the one that occurred in Bisbee, Arizona, in December 1883. This was when a group of six outlaws tried to rob a general store, and things didn't go entirely to plan for them.

Apparently, the group timed their robbery incorrectly and only made off with a fraction of what they'd expected. During the commotion, four innocent people reportedly lost their lives, including a pregnant woman. John Heath, who supposedly organized the robbery, was later forcibly removed from jail by a lynch mob and hanged. The following month, the other men were also hanged.

Celebration for the completion of the first transcontinental railroad failed to acknowledge Asian contributions

After years of working on the first transcontinental railroad, it was finally completed in 1869. The end came on May 10 when a ceremonial 17.6-karat golden spike was driven in to connect the Central Pacific Railroad and the Pacific Railroad. The celebration was marked with a picture that now stands as one of the most famous Wild West photos.

Something notable about the image is that no Asian men are actually featured in it, despite their contributions to the railroad. It further goes to show how overlooked their efforts were, with many reenactments of this photo continuing the trend out of supposed accuracy to the original picture. That's despite many women appearing in newer versions.

Wyatt Earp might have been a lawman, but he allegedly wasn't the cleanest character

There was a lot more to Wyatt Earp's life than his involvement in the O.K. Corral conflict and his surprising ability to avoid injury. Although he was a law enforcement officer, Earp faced several claims that he ended the lives of outlaws who were trying to surrender. However, none of these charges against the man held up.

Although he's best known for his work taking down criminals, it seems that Wyatt did more with his life than simply catching outlaws. He even allegedly ended up on the wrong side of the law himself sometimes. Earp was reportedly accused of real estate fraud in Eagle City, Idaho, while in Nome, Alaska, he supposedly ran a brothel.

There were many reasons why women sold their bodies in the Wild West

It wasn't uncommon for some unmarried women to make their living selling their bodies in the Wild West. What pushed someone to do this as their job back in those days, though? Well, women didn't have much in the way of career options back then, so if they wanted money and didn't have a man, this was sometimes the answer.

For those who'd lost their husband or been abandoned by him, it was hard for them to get the attention of other men without this work. What's more, those who were the daughters of such women were already considered tainted and seemingly doomed from the start. Another reason was that they simply didn't have any other skills to support themselves.

Buffalo Bill reportedly did what he could to spread the good word about Native Americans

The Wild West was a major era of conflict for Native Americans as land was taken from them, and efforts to decrease their number were taken to the extreme. However, they seemingly had a safe space with Buffalo Bill, who reportedly went to great efforts to prove to people that these men and women were also human.

Bill reportedly encouraged the families of Iron White Man, Good Fox, Plain Owl, and other Natives in his show to travel with them. He also apparently asked them to pitch their homes near where they put on performances so that others could see and appreciate these people. That's despite how his traveling show sometimes portrayed these men and women.

Jesse James' reputation as a Wild West Robin Hood might not be that accurate

There are some who view Jesse James as a Robin Hood figure of the Wild West. However, was that really the case? The evidence apparently suggests no. His reputation as a Robin Hood figure may have come from the fact that he reportedly never stole money from passengers when robbing trains. His sole focus was on the safes.

However, the man also reportedly ended the lives of multiple people. What's more, there's allegedly no evidence that anything he stole from those robberies went to benefit people outside of his gang. While Robin Hood was reportedly all about stealing from the rich to give to the poor, Jesse was apparently about stealing from the rich to give to himself.

Black Jack Ketchum's years of train robbing ended with a grisly twist

The story of Black Jack Ketchum is the story of a man who apparently didn't know when to give up. Starting out as a cowboy for hire, he reportedly turned to robbing trains as part of a gang. During the 1890s, these men allegedly robbed several trains and made off with thousands every time they did so.

Unfortunately for Ketchum, members of the gang apparently started to drop like flies until he was the only one left. Rather than stop, though, he decided to rob one final train. However, his efforts were unsuccessful, and Jack was ultimately sentenced to hang. When the time came, the rope was apparently too long and sliced his head clean off.

Goldie Williams is responsible for one of the most unusual mugshots in history

One of the most interesting facts about the Wild West is just how easily someone could be arrested because of vagrancy laws. The breadth and ambiguity of these laws meant that it was easy for the police to accuse someone of breaking them. This resulted in a ton of arrests during the Wild West, including that of Goldie Williams.

Her mugshot is probably one of the most unusual Wild West photos, thanks to the face she's pulling in it. Goldie reportedly refused to unfold her arms and stop making this expression after she was arrested, hence why her mugshot doesn't look like what you might expect. It's unclear what happened to Williams after her arrest.

Wild Bill Hickok reportedly had vision problems during his final years

Towards the end of Wild Bill Hickok's life, the man was reportedly plagued by vision problems. While this isn't uncommon for those of a senior age, Hickok passed away when he was only 39. What was responsible for the problems? Some say that it could have been a venereal disease, while others blame it on poor hygiene.

The problems allegedly got so bad that he had to leave Buffalo Bill's traveling show because "the lights affected his eyes." That's according to Doc Howard, anyway. It's possible that he might have been photophobic, with sensitivity to light being what left him with an inability to always see things clearly. Unfortunately, the answer may well be buried forever now.