Ranking ‘76:The American West: Recent Episodes
Matt and Eric
Inspired by Rex Factor and Totalus Rankium
A light hearted, not-so-serious chat and ranking of the most infamous American West figures!
New Episodes every other Tuesday!
Our first couple! How sweet! Marcus and Narcissa travel from New York to The Pacific Northwest on a mission to turn the indigenous peoples there convert to Christianity! What could possibly go wrong?
Sourcing
Murder at the Mission: A Frontier Killing, Its Legacy of Lies, and the Taking of the American West by Blaine Harden
The Letters and Journals of Narcissa Whitman 1836-1847
New Women in the Old West: From Settlers to Suffragists, an Untold American StoryBrave Hearted: The Women of the American West
Brave Hearted: The Women of the American West
Geronimo was just arrested. How will he respond? Retire? Farm? lets find out shall we?
Social Media
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Sourcing
Geronimo by Robert Utley
Cochise: Chiricahua Apache Chief by Edwin R Sweeney
The Apache Wars by Paul Andrew Hutton
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
The Three-Cornered War by Megan Kate Nelson
Geronimo, a name that stuck fear into anyone in his path but how did he become a legend? in the episode we talk about his early life and what leads him to become the face of Apache resistance!
Social Media
To review the scores and the teams, visit our website site HERE
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Sourcing
Geronimo by Robert Utley
Cochise: Chiricahua Apache Chief by Edwin R Sweeney
The Apache Wars by Paul Andrew Hutton
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
The Three-Cornered War by Megan Kate Nelson
We begin part 2 after The Bascom Affair. How will Cochise respond? if there is anything we learned from episode one...it won't be peacefully.
Social Media
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Sourcing
Cochise: Chiricahua Apache Chief by Edwin R Sweeney
The Apache Wars by Paul Andrew Hutton
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
Geronimo by Robert Utley
And we are back, with a giant of a man that you may not have heard of, as we introduce Cochise and we ask ourselves, just how much is TOO MUCH raiding?!
Sourcing
Cochise: Chiricahua Apache Chief by Edwin R Sweeney
The Apache Wars by Paul Andrew Hutton
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
Geronimo by Robert Utley
No new episode this week but we did want to provide everyone with what has been going on with the schedule and also give you all something to listen too. We were fortunate enough to part of Battle Royale's Bastille Day celebration back in July 2022 where we discuss what a RexyPod is and what it means to us to do a show.
to check out Battle Royale, listen to their show HERE
To know more about Tudoriforus, listen their show HERE
We could not be more excited to FINALLY Launch our YouTube Channel and what better way to do with a couple games with a few friends! Join us as we find out who is the best of the RexyPod class of 2021
To check out the video go to our YouTube channel here
Dentist, shootist, gambler.....huckleberry? Doc Holliday is a big name, but does he deserve the hype? How this simple dentist from Georgia become one of the biggest names in the West? join as we discuss and rank Mr. John Henry Holliday.
Sourcing
Doc Holiday: Life and Legend by Gary L Roberts
Tombstone: The Earp Brothers, Doc Holliday, and the Vendetta Ride from Hell
Tombstone. The Ok Corral, and Huckleberries? In this episode, we introduce Tombstone and if you squint talk a little bit about John Ringo!
Sources
John Ringo, King of the Cowboys: His Life and Times from the Hoo Doo War to Tombstone by David Johnson
Doc Holiday: Life and Legend by Gary L Roberts
https://www.amazon.com/Tombstone-Earp-Brothers-Holliday-Vendetta/dp/1250214602/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1664850267&sr=1-1
This is the end. 5 total episodes, over 8 hours of the Corp of Discovery, so what else could we possibly cover? Well, it turns out William Clark did MUCH more than the trip to the Pacific. How will he fair compare to Sacagawea and Lewis?
Sourcing
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen Ambrose
William Clark Shaping the West Landon Y. Jones
We continue with the Corp of Discovery, this time from the perspective of a 16-year-old new mother. What does she do? how important was she on the trip and was Charboneau a fool or misunderstood?
Sourcing
Interpreters with Lewis and Clark: The Story of Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau by W. Dale Nelson
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen Ambrose
Lewis and Clark among the Indians by James P. Rhonda
The Lewis and Clark Journals by M. Lewis and W. Clark, edited by Gary E. Moulton
After 3 episodes, we conclude the EPIC journey that was the Corp of Discovery. How do we think Lewis did? Listener discretion as we do discuss suicide near the end of the episode
Sources
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen Ambrose
Lewis and Clark among the Indians by James P. Rhonda
The Lewis and Clark Journals by M. Lewis and W. Clark, edited by Gary E. Moulton
We left the Corp of Discovery and their pointy river sticks on a sad note after the passing of Sgt. Floyd. How will Matt's prediction of 8 deaths fare out in the end?
Sources
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen Ambrose
Lewis and Clark among the Indians by James P. Rhonda
The Lewis and Clark Journals by M. Lewis and W. Clark, edited by Gary E. Moulton
Today we head off into the wilderness on a journal as good as any ever written. As we approach the anniversary of The Corp of Discovery's return, we begin our coverage and ERIC COULDN'T BE MORE OF A NERD ABOUT IT!
*Slight warning the audio does have some distortion, Eric recorded in a hotel room and the audio isn't quite up to our normal standard. this does fix itself in the next 2 episodes *
Sources
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen Ambrose
Lewis and Clark among the Indians by James P. Rhonda
The Lewis and Clark Journals by M. Lewis and W. Clark, edited by Gary E. Moulton
No Ranking on this off week we discuss the previous ten episodes. if you have missed an episode this is a good quick review!
HI HO SILVER! join us as we cover the possible inspiration for the Lone Ranger, Bass Reeves. We talk about his incredible 32-year career as a lawman
Social Media
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Sources
Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves by Art T Burton
Bass Reeves - The Real Lone Ranger Documentary
"Little Sure Shot" is the best shootist we will likely cover. Born to a destitute family in Ohio, Annie Oakley becomes a nationwide celebrity and secret heartthrob of thousands of men who watched her.
Social Media
To review the scores and the teams, visit our website site HERE
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Sourcing
Annie Oakley by Shirl Kasper
Annie Oakley, Woman At Arms: A Biography by Courtney Ryley Cooper
we have reached the man who gets credit for killing Custer at the Little Big Horn. How did he reach that point, how did his life change after? Join as us we talk.... Sitting Bull!
Social Media
To review the scores and the teams, visit our website site HERE
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Sourcing
Sitting Bull by Bill Yenne
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
The Heart of Everything That Is by Tom Clavin and Bob Drury
The Journey of Crazy Horse by Joseph M Marshall III
Crazy Horse is a giant in American West history but other than the name, the monument or that he was at the Little Big Horn he is a hard man to track down and talk about. He is our 2nd figure we are covering as we march toward The Battle of the Little Big Horn on June 25th.
Sourcing
- The Journey of Crazy Horse by Joseph M. Marshall III
- The First Sioux War: The Grattan Fight and Blue Water Creek, 1854-1856 by Paul Norman Beck
- THE BATTLE OF BLUE WATER
- Crazy Horse, Ta-sunko-witko
- The Heart of Everything That Is by Bob Drury & Tom Clavin
- Gratten Massacre Article
So, it turns out you can only rush into so many fights before you pay the price. Custer is fresh off the Civil War and has no place to put all his ego. What could go wrong?
Visit us on our website: Ranking the Heroes and Villains of the American West (wordpress.com)
Sourcing
Custer's Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America by TJ Stiles
Crazy Horse and Custer: The Parallel Lives of Two American Warriors
The Civil War: An Illustrated History by Geoffrey C. Ward , Ric Burns and Ken Burns
"The Long-Haired Hero of the Shenandoah" certainly stayed busy for the first 25 years of his life. Listen and see just how far the combination of luck and fortitude can take a man. We also introduce Jimmy!
Sourcing
Custer's Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America by TJ Stiles
Crazy Horse and Custer: The Parallel Lives of Two American Warriors
The Civil War: An Illustrated History by Geoffrey C. Ward , Ric Burns and Ken Burns
Tom Horn is one of the most divisive men we will cover. A respectable military career and a..... not so respectful job after his military days. his fate rests in the hands of a murder of a 14-year-old and a power struggle between the state of Wyoming and wealthy cattle ranchers who dominate the state.
Visit us on our website: Ranking the Heroes and Villains of the American West (wordpress.com)
Sourcing
Tom Horn in Life and Legend by Larry D. Ball
Tom Horn: Last of the Bad Men by Jay Monaghan
Life of Tom Horn: Government Scout and Interpreter by Himself
History.net Article
Listener Discretion Advised
Born in Illinois and moving with her family to California to help her ailing mother, Sarah Graves fates meets the Donner Party and after taking bad directions struggle to survive. Join us as we review and rank the Donner Party!
Sourcing
The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of the Donner Party by Daniel James Brown
Desperate Passage: The Donner Party's Perilous Journey West by Ethan Rarick
PBS Documentary - Donner Party- 1992
Forlorn Hope Expedition-Finding the lost trail of the Donner Party
Hell on Wheel fans will recognize her right away. Eva Oakes is based on Olive Oatman. The blue tattoo was Olive's most identifiable feature but there are loads of questions on how she got it, how she felt about it and just who controlled her life. She has a story different from any other we will cover, join us as we discuss Olive's life.
Visit our WordPress site HERE to stay up to date
Sourcing
The Blue Tattoo by Margot Mifflin
Olive Oatman: Captivity of the Oatman Girls
California Historical Society Quarterly Vol. 41, No. 4 (DECEMBER 1962)
If you have not heard the name John Wesley Hardin, you will not forget him after this! He has been described as the "Worst in the West" and "Was easily the deadliest gunfighter of all time.” what did he do that was so bad?
Visit our WordPress Site HERE
Sourcing
A Lawless Breed: John Wesley Hardin, Texas Reconstruction, and Violence in the Wild West
The Life of John Wesley Hardin by Himself
Stutton-Taylor Feud
Killing of Charlie Webb
Newspaper reporter “W. A. F.”, of the Galveston Weekly.
We react and review an life altering treaty for the Sioux and tribes on The Great Plains. What's in it and just how much do the Americans want the tribes to farm?
To view maps, Review the teams and see the scorecards visit our WordPress site: https://ranking76.wordpress.com
Red Cloud was a force on the Great Plains through the 1850 and 1860, thought the US Government didn't have him listed as a leader. He then forced The US to do something no other Native leader was able to do.
To view maps, Review the teams and see the scorecards visit our Wordpress site: https://ranking76.wordpress.com
Sources
Chief Red Cloud 1822-1909 by Judy Monroe Peterson
The Heart of Everything That Is by Bob Drury & Tom Clavin
Oglala Lakota Chief Red Cloud by William Sanford
The Encyclopedia of the Great Plains
Gratten Massacre
Red Cloud's War
Fetterman Fight
Surprise! On this off week, we are taking a some time to talk about what stuck out to us from the last 10 episodes and plus our brand new Wordpress site! you can visit it here!
We have reached the Alamo and are talking about the man in charge. He enters a 26 year old rising star and is expected to hold the makeshift garrison against the Mexican Army with 2 more famous names. How does he do?
Sourcing:
Three Roads to the Alamo by William C Davis
Anahuac Disturbances
Travis's involvement
James Bowie is not someone you want to get in a fight with. He is the 2nd of the big 3 defenders of the Alamo we are covering, and he comes will a really big knife.... Listen as we cower from James Bowie.
Sourcing:
Three Roads to the Alamo by William C Davis
Internet Articles
Feud with Norris Wright- Bowie Knife Fighters. blogspot.com
Sandbar Fight- Legends of America
The San Saba Mine- TSHA Online
James Bowie- TSHA Online
As we approach the siege of the Alamo ending on March 6th, we cover probably the most famous name to enter the missionary.... a place he may not have known the name of. What made his name famous in the Jacksonian Era? Does he live up to his grand 1950's theme song?
Sourcing:
Three Roads to the Alamo by William C. Davis
David Crockett: Lion of the West by Michael Wallis
An Autobiography of Davy Crockett
Hundreds of written and film works have used Jesse James as the ultimate outlaw. Does he live up to the hype as we discuss (and cower from) Jesse James.
Sourcing
Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War by TJ Stiles
Jesse James: Legendary Rebel and Outlaw by J Dennis Robinson
True West Article : Jesse James: The Birth of a Killer
Centralia Massacre By Claire Wolnisty
True West Artile Jesse James Vs Joseph Witcher
We are using this off week to read Calamity Jane's (very) short autobiography. The link to the LibriVox recording is here
If you are interested in more Free Public domain audiobooks, you can find them in your phone's store or visit them at LibriVox | free public domain audiobooks
She wore a lot of hats, couldn't stay in one place and was a lot of fun to be around but who was Martha Cannary AKA "Calamity Jane"
Sourcing
Calamity Jane: The Woman and the Legend by James D. McLaird
The Autobiography of Calamity Jane by Herself
Legends of American Article
Black Hills visitor Article
Spearfish Area Historical Society Article
Our first Indigenous Person and is the first of 2 episodes because these two are impossible to talk about without talking about the other. How does he do in the shadow of his older brother, Tecumseh?
Sourcing
Tecumseh: A Life by John Sugden
Tecumseh and the Prophet By Peter Cozzens
http://www.fantasy-epublications.com/shawnee-traditions/Genealogy/Tecumseh_Family/Lineage.html
Thinking and Believing: Nativism and Unity in the Ages of Pontiac and Tecumseh
PBS "We Shall Remain" episode "Tecumseh's Vision"
We just reviewed his brother. Does Tecumseh live up the hype? Does he outscore his brother?
Sourcing
Tecumseh: A Life by John Sugden
Tecumseh and the Prophet By Peter Cozzens
Thinking and Believing: Nativism and Unity in the Ages of Pontiac and Tecumseh
PBS "We Shall Remain" episode "Tecumseh's Vision"
Daniel Boone was a man. YES A BIG MAN and one of the O.G.'s of opening The West. Where does he stack up against Billy and Wild Bill?
Sorry, not sorry getting that song stuck in you head. You're welcome!
Sourcing:
Daniel Boone: The Life and Legend of an American Pioneer by John Mack Faragher
Blood and Treasure: Daniel Boone and the Fight for America's First Frontier by Bob Drury, Tom Clavin
The Taking of Jemima Boone: Colonial Settlers, Tribal Nations, and the Kidnap That Shaped America By Mathew Pearl
He was a Jayhawk, a spy, a lawman, a showman and a gambler. What didn't this man do but more importantly, where does he rank?
Sourcing
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Wild Bill: The True Story of the American Frontier's First Gunfighter by Tom Clavin
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Wild Bill Hickok: The Man and His Myth by Joseph Rosa
Documentaries Watched
Gunslingers AHC- Marksman... Marked Man
Biography number one starts with one of the biggest names in The West! spoiler....that beer went unfinished...
Sourcing
Main Source- Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride by Michael Wallis
Secondary source- The West of Billy the Kid by Frederick Nolan
Documentaries
Watch Billy the Kid | American Experience | Official Site | PBS
Gunslingers (AHC) Episode 2. Billy the Kid - The Phantom of Lincoln County
Billy the Kid - Legend of the Wild West - YouTube
We explained the rounds but what is The West? Do you not remember what your middle school teacher told you (probably) over a decade ago. This episode, we discuss a very brief 30min history what shaped the west. From the Pilgrims to the post Civil War.
Launch Day is here and our first ranking is 2 weeks away! In this episode, we go through and explain our rounds we will use to rank.
- Biography- "Are You Satisfied?!"
- Character- "Be sure you are right, then go ahead."
- Crazy or sly- " To Hell with the Consequences!"
- How would we do in a duel?- "DRAW"
- Legacy- well......what is thier legacy?
Bonus Rounds
- Confirmed-ish body count- Counting Coop
- Cool death bro....?