Books in the Legends of the West series

How much of what we know about the history of the Old West is true? In this new book, author Michael Rutter looks at the legend and lore behind such notorious figures as Billy the Kid and Calamity Jane and the stories of famous gun fights and battles, telling what really happened. Truth may be stranger than fiction, but these 12 legends stand up to scrutiny, and this book will be a must-read for all western history buffs.

Part of our new and growing Myths, Mysteries and Legends series, Myths, Mysteries and Legends of New Mexico explores unusual phenomena, strange events, and mysteries in the Land of Enchantment''s history. Each episode included in the book is a story unto itself, and the tone and style of the book is lively and easy to read for a general audience interested in New Mexico history. Stories include the mysterious disappearance of lawyer and civic leader Albert J. FountainΓÇöa man known both for defending Billy the Kid and for taking on cattle rustlersΓÇöand his little boy, Henry; the near discovery of when humans first came to America by George McJunkin, a black cowboy, born a slave; and the unsolved murders of an old mining town that lies at the depths of Bonito Lake.

Tales of intrigue in this book include unusual unsolved crimes, legends of lost treasure, spine-tingling ghost stories, well-documented sea creature sightings, and more. Based on historic accounts from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, author L.E. Bragg recounts seventeen myths and mysteries from Washington''s past, verifying some tales from multiple accounts and exposing some stories for what may have really occurred. Readers will be riveted by the detailed descriptions of Puget Sound''s demon of the deep, Northwest gold fever may strike again after readers learn the details of Captain Ingalls''s lost treasure, and believers will be surprised to learn that strange sightings over Mount Rainier predate the famous Roswell event. Enjoy these tales and more from Washington''s suspicious past.

From a haunted prison in Red Lodge to persistent rumors of bigfoot, from whispered descriptions of the "tommyknockers" who help miners in trouble to a famous union organizer found lynched from a bridge in Butte, this selection of fourteen stories from Montana's past explores some of the Treasure State's most compelling mysteries and debunks some of its most famous myths.

From the Anasazi cliff dwellings to tales of Buffalo Bill's bravado, and from an unsolved bank robbery in Denver to the murder of Jon Benet Ramsey, Colorado Myths and Legends examines a fascinating array of puzzling events, unsolved mysteries, and tragic crimes in the often troubled (but always compelling!) history of the Centennial State.

From the mysterious disappearance of hijacker D.B. Cooper to persistent rumors of bigfoot, this selection of fourteen stories from Oregon's past explores some of the Beaver State's most compelling mysteries and debunks some of its most famous myths.

Each episode included in this book explores unusual phenomena, strange events, and mysteries in Yellowstone National Park's history. From ghosts in Old Faithful Inn to Bigfoot sightings, Myths and Legends of Yellowstone makes history fun and pulls back the curtain on some of this national treasure's most fascinating and compelling stories.