Cowboys & Outlaws

Although the American frontier era ended around 1890, the Wild West remains a fascinating but often misunderstood topic. Cowboys & Outlaws, which aired on the History Channel, aims to separate fact from fiction with a collection of six hour-long documentaries. One examines an epic trail drive that set the standard for adventure and formed the basis for the Lonesome Dove saga (viewers learn that cattle drives were quiet affairs, as cowboys were concerned that sudden movements and loud noises could set off a stampede). Another entry explores the rise and fall of the railhead at the end of the Chisholm Trail in Abilene, KS, where contrary to myth, gun control was often observed, particularly in the saloons. Other episodes describe the life and times of Billy the Kid (a hardscrabble youth from the East), lawman Wyatt Earp, and Tom Horn, a cowboy and bounty hunter who went over to the dark side, becoming a frontier “hit man” for the cattle barons. Large-ranch bosses also figure in an hour devoted to the bloody Wyoming range war between cattlemen and homesteaders. Ultimately, both the barons and men like Horn were doomed by the changing times and encroaching civilization. Drawing on sources that include recovered letters, journals, and forensic evidence, Cowboys & Outlaws offers a pleasing mix of dramatic re-creations, colorful scenery, scholarly commentary, and little-known facts sure to be appreciated by fans of the Old West. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)