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Ever wondered how the rowdy buffalo hunters and cowboys of the Wild West spent their leisure time? Well, saddle up partner, because we're taking you back to the gambling halls of frontier towns like Dodge City, where poker and ferro ruled. From the Persian origins of poker to the intricacies of a ferro table, we're dealing you in on the high-stakes world of Wild West gambling. You'll get to know the legendary figures like professional gambler Richard Dick Clark and discover how this risk-filled environment influenced the destinies of many.

Now, imagine being at a poker table in Dodge City, where disputes over the game could even lead to shootings. Get ready to meet quick-shooting gamblers like Bat Masterson and relive infamous games that involved folks like ex-governor Thomas Carney. We'll also let you in on the secrets of the Spanish Monty, a game adored by Texas cowboys. By the end of our journey, you'll not just know the history of these games but also the unique roles of the dealer and casekeeper in a ferro game, and why every bet placed in the Wild West was more than just a game.

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The Wild West podcast proudly presents The Great Bullfight of 1884. This unique American celebration occurred in Dodge City, Kansas, on July 4, 1884. The story, written and produced by Mike King, relays the facts behind the first Spanish bullfight ever held on American soil. Hundreds of visitors came from the East to witness a fight between man and beast. On this magical day, the town was crowded with sightseers from all over the West. Narrator Brad Smalley describes the scene at the Dodge City fairgrounds where men and women are crowded about the stands. The bullfighters from Mexico provided a most explicit display of bravery, entering the arena accompanied by citizens in joyous laughter, all drinking and enjoying the sport of bullfighting. This is a time when, once again, Dodge City excelled in all of her notorieties, holding an event long to be remembered in this country.

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Embark on a journey to the year 1867, where the grasses of the Plains whispered tales of imminent turmoil. Our episode chronicles the audacious maneuvers of Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, as he brandishes the might of the military in a perilous dance with the Plains tribes. We peel back the layers of the government's attempts at peace—efforts that were doomed to fail against the tribes' pressing need for their ancestral grazing lands. The narrative escalates as we trace the footsteps of scouts, the critical intelligence they gathered, and the armed escorts who became the lifeline of wagon trains venturing into the fertile prairies of spring.

As the tension mounts, we find ourselves amidst the politically charged atmosphere of General Hancock's Indian Council Meeting. Listen closely as we recount the tales of Edward Wynkoop and "Wild Bill" Hickok, whose roles in this complex web of frontier relations were fraught with the push and pull of military strategies and diplomatic endeavors. Their stories unveil the intricate dynamics of cultural misunderstandings and political aspirations that brewed beneath the surface of this historic gathering, and the lingering effects that would shape the landscape of the American West.

Finally, we delve into the relentless pursuit led by General Custer, painting a picture of a landscape where every move and countermove edged the U.S. military and Native tribes closer to the specter of war. From the controversial burning of a Cheyenne village to Custer’s personal trials amidst these relentless chases, we leave no stone unturned. Through stirring anecdotes and strategic analyses, we offer a raw glimpse into the heart of the American frontier, a time of conflict and conquest that would forever alter the course of history. Join us as we bring to life the echoes of the past in this gripping episode.

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Return of the Great Hunters
Cattle Drives Website
Legends of Dodge City Website
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