Trail Cook — David Michaelson

The fascination with the American Wild West lasted a pitiful 20 years. In that time, gold and silver were discovered, cattle were driven great distances and cowboys ruled the land. Gunfights became common. So did hangings and stabbings. Trains and stages were held up by desperate robbers. Wagon trains crawled across the prairies, often terrorized by hostile Indians. Gambing, drinking and wenching was often the only entertainment some towns had. Bounty hunters, crooked sheriffs, company controlled constables and distant US Marshals all distributed their own brand of Western justice. Town mayors and councilmembers often wielded their political muscle in intimidating ways. Undertakers were everywhere and busy.