Uno Behind The Hoosegow And How Do You Turn This Train Around?

 March 25, 2026

   Woke up with a couple of realizations. The first is how wonderful my friends are who read this blog and contribute their advice so freely—and so boldly! ha. You don't hold back and that is why I love you all. See, below.

Early Morning Uno

Uno sitting among the flowering agaves

behind the pumphouse which is disguised as a Mexican Juzgado, or, in American slang, Hoosegow

(jailhouse).

   Here are just a few of the responses I have been getting on how to make sure the magazine survives beyond the reign of the 66 Kids.

The History of Our Future, Part II

The Searchers article was excellent (March-April, 2026). It was the first article I read in that issue. I would love to see more Making Of stories concerning classic westerns. With the below picture being shared 250,000 times I think those are numbers you can't ignore. 

—Mark (True West Maniac #235), Phoenix, Arizona

The Searchers Cast & Crew at Monument Valley

(Yes, Mark is correct. This photo was shared 250,000 times on Facebook)

Too Much Billy the Kid?

   In my opinion, True West needs to stop this nonsense of every few issues being about Billy the Kid.  Enough.  EVERY SINGLE ISSUE SHOULD BE ABOUT BILLY THE KID.  Let’s be real…who cares about the Earps?  They had a shootout in a corral—big deal!  Doc Holliday?  Just a dentist with tuberculosis.  As for Jesse James…unless we’re talking about the time he and Billy met…yawn.  And don’t get me started on John Wesley Hardin, the Daltons, the Youngers, Black Jack Ketchum….  Nah.  The Kid is obviously the star of Old West history and deserves ALL of the attention.

—Lori Goodloe, President Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang, Phoenix, Arizona

Preserve Or Die But Please Increase The Type Size

   If we don't start preserving the West, there won't

be much left to write about so I would like to see a bit more coverage on the victories in that line.  Also keep covering unique controversial material like the Mormon story of recent vintage; and those tragic yet dramatic tales of the Mexican Revolution and the Indian Wars.  Those folks had a lot of sand. 

   On the other hand you simply have to increase your type size. I have had several friends let their subscriptions go because they can't read the small type.

—Lynda A. Sánchez, Lincoln, New Mexico

Go Younger Old Man

True West needs to focus on more cutting-edge articles with genuinely fresher subject matter. Getting rid of the pointless Classic West feature would create more room. There is a whole younger generation of historians out there digging up new stories and details on a frequent basis. Some of the boomers need to start taking a backseat to their fresher work. The magazine also needs to keep a sharp eye on pop-culture and cash in on any successful new Westerns that make waves like we did with American Primeval. The reality is that much of the boomer readership is dying out (Chuck Norris just checked out) and TW needs to get a little hipper to start appealing to a younger variety of readers—no more of this Jamie Foxx (Django) and Johnny Depp (Dead Man) are "too hip for the room" bullshit.

                                                  — James B. Mills, Dapto, Australia 

Editor’s Note: Dapto is Aboriginal and means “plenty water”

"How about the age-old strategy of: write sh*t your readers want to read? And if you do a good job, they pay you."

—Jeff Lawson, new owner of The Onion which he and a partner rescued from the grips of private equity

A Wild Heart And The Shirts Off Their Backs

 March 24, 2026

   One of my favorite true stories about hats involves two legendary Mojave In-dins, Irataba and Cairook.

Daily Whip Out:

"Four Hats On The Horizon"

   The Whipple Expedition (1853-54) needed guides to take them from the Mojave villages on the Colorado River to Los Angeles. Irataba and another Mojave, Cairook, volunteered. This is rough, arid country and if you've ever traveled from the Needles area across to Barstow and on to San Bernadino,  you know exactly what I'm talking about. When the expedition reached the settlements, many of Whipple's men literally gave the shirts off their backs to their Mojave guides. Three or four men gave their hats in a token of appreciation for a job well done. The artist on the expedition,  H.B. Mollhausen,  described the scene this way: "Every one had been eager to bestow on the guides who had served us so faithfully whatever article he could spare from his wardrobe, and they had immediately donned it with stoical composure, so that they now look like wandering bundles of old clothes." The two Mojaves then walked back to the Colorado River, which inspired the above painting. I believe this would make a great opening scene in a movie, with four hats, stacked high, rippling in the heatwaves of the Mojave Desert. Slowly, a head and shoulders appear and then we see two tall Mojaves walking towards us, loaded down with multiple hats and layers of clothing. As they reached their villages along the Colorado they most assuredly gifted an item, or two, to friends and family and then walked on to gift the next item until all the bounty was distributed to their tribe.

   Meanwhile, one of the captive Oatman girls was in one of those riverside villages when the Whipple Expedition came through and her name was Olive and by this time she was an excellent swimmer and she often dove deep into the surging waters of the mighty Colorado.

"Olive Dives Deep"

   When she was finally liberated—some say, recaptured—she traveled to California where she stayed briefly with Susan Thompson in Monte, California. Susan had been on the ill-fated Oatman wagon train with Olive and her family.

Susan Thompson 

   So, what really happened on the Colorado River during Olive's three years of captivity there? I believe that story has never been honestly told.

"Midnight On The Colorado"

Olive And Her Children?

   A very famous Prescott historian knew the true story but chose to demure on the side of discretion. Why?

Sharlot In Red

   To the end, they both lived out their lives with a troubling secret.

"Olive In Shadow"

(she was a captive for five years,

three with the Mojave)

"We could not erase the wild from her heart."

—Susan Thompson 

Looking Back With A Sense of Yuma

 March 23, 2026

   I got this nice note from one of the folks at the Cave Creek Museum where I spoke last Saturday.

   "I love your stories! During your talk, you handed out a card with a picture of Wyatt Earp and a quote. I inadvertently forgot it afterwards and wanted to share the quote as the opening thought in my next Toastmasters meeting. I cannot find that same quote anywhere online, including on your blog.

—Nikki Stein 

   Well, first of all it wasn't Wyatt Earp, it was this quote from Studs:

Our Shared Responsibility

   When people talk to me about stepping down from my responsibilities at True West they all seem to have good intentions but the tone and especially the look they give me is definitely, "What in the hell will you do with yourself?!"

   Ha. Do not worry about me. I've got enough ideas to last me at least five more decades. As for projects, I've got a couple dozen of those lined up as well. One of blessings I have received is having more things I want to do than there is time to do them.

Looking Back

  Also, to be honest, from time to time I will just have to remind you—and myself—of the things we accomplished and some of those we did not. This is one of the latter.

A Favorite Cover We Never Ran

Maybe next time around?

   Speaking of a good sense of Yuma. . .

   So proud of this one. Dan The Man made it pop.

And, For The Record, This Is My Kind of Yuma

From the Onion, of Course!

   I have a pet termite. His name is Clint. Clint Eatswood.

   From the pages of Escaranuza Charra, we get primo Mujeriegas.

Daily Whip Out: "Oh, Mamacita Behave!

   At the end of the day, I think Uno has the right outlook on life. . .

"Every day is Christmas Day to a dog."

—Old Vaquero Saying

The History of Our Future

 March 22, 2026

   I watched a classic Western last night and one line really stayed with me.

   Sometimes I wonder if that is our problem at True West. If true, it would sure be awful ironic considering the entire magazine is predicated on courage under fire—people with sand! That realization led me to this challenge.

The History of Our Future

   When I step down in December, I want to run two pages of prognosticating comments from the likes of you. People who are passionate about our history and not shy about expostulating on where you think the magazine needs to go to survive for the next 25 years. If you have the time, write me up 100 words on what you believe the magazine needs to stop doing and what it needs to start doing to get people's attention. Here's one hypothetical version to whet your appetite:

"True West has been a joke for far too long. Nobody respects it because the owner puts his finger paints everywhere instead of going to art school and learning how to actually paint. How about starting with running my groundbreaking booklets on the cover? At least that would be a positive step towards regaining some respect."

—Jerry Weddle, Tucson, Arizona

   Somewhere in that zone. Send your cogent comments to me at:

bozebell@twmag.com

    Be sure to include your city and state. Thank you.

   Oh, and the classic Western film referenced above is "Ride The High Country" and that is Joel McCrae delivering his line about kids today having plenty of gall but no sand (guts).

"The only thing new in this world is the history you don't know."

—Harry Truman

Light Travels Fast But History Bends Light

 March 21, 2026

   Today I spoke in a church at the Cave Creek Museum about the glories of growing up on Route 66. I must say my mother would be so proud of me because she always wanted me to be a minister.

Grandma Cady with Deena

October 26, 1981

(the reason I remember the date so well is this is the date I drove to Tucson and dropped off Deena with her grandmother so I could be in the O.K. Corral on the centennial of the gunfight.)

      So, yes, that was kind of a religious moment to me. Sorry, I got my snark genes from this guy.

Allen P. Bell Air Corp Mechanic

Kingman Air Base, circa 1944

Too Much of A Good Thing Is A Bad Thing

Today's topic at the church was technically on the glories of growing up on Route 66, but it is our job as historians to take the noise of the present and place it against the echoes of the past.

Daily Whip Outs: "Past Glories Galore"

   We don't need relief as much as we need steadiness and more than anything we need a calm tone in our lives right now. Which you will rarely find on that device in your pocket.

"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak."

—Alan Dundes

The Many Views of Old Vaqueros And The Long View of Camelback Mountain

 March 20, 2026

   As you may have noticed, I have been on a tear with the Old Vaqueros.

   I just love 'em and this is just a small portion of the many views and angles I have been having a ball with recently. Of course, everyone needs a palate cleanser from time to time. That's why I whipped this out:

Daily Whip Out: "Middle-Aged Vaquero"

   On my daily walks with Uno, we truck on up towards Morning Star and turn around at the gate of the Missing Gentry. According to my iWatch it's about a 1.3 mile run, or, more accurately, a brisk trek for an old man. Coming down off the ridge, this is our view.

Camelback In The Distance

(with Uno waiting up ahead)

Camelback On The Horizon

(now do you see it?)

The Neck of The Camelback

And, here's a better view up close. . .

A closer view from 1950

“Fine clothes do not hide the clown.”

—Middle-Aged Vaquero Saying

Jugs Iced Free For You And For Me!

 March 19, 2026

   Dan The Man has created a wonderful art piece out of a couple disparate images we published in The 66 Kids book and he has artfully combined them into a fantastic Route 66 Fantasy image:

"Jugs Iced Free For You And For Me"

   Makes me proud to know the guy. I am nominating this image for an upcoming art show on the centennial of Route 66 as the signature piece. And our own Rooster Rob has written a rockin' road tune to go with it. Strap in baby, we're puttin' the pedal to the metal when we premiere the song at this event.

May 2nd in Prescott—Be There!

Another Nomination for the 66 Art Show:

   I also love this BozeCard designed by Dan The Man but I think it could use a stronger—read that funnier—tagline? Perhaps:

• Yes, the wind blows 24/7 but it's a dry wind.

• Where the only thing stronger than our constant wind is the lonely desperation. 

• It may be constantly windy, but at least there's nothing to do.

(a Mad Coyote Joe line)

   Okay, what you got?

Daily Whip Out: "Picture This"

Dad Humor:

   I ate a kid's meal at McDonalds yesterday. His mother was furious.

And In The End. . .

“If you blame others it’s going to be a long journey. If you blame yourself you are halfway there. If you blame no one, you have arrived.”

—Old Vaquero Saying

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers Rock Out, New Drone Warfare Plus Chuck Usmar Remembered

 March 18, 2026

   Roger Clyne has officially released his new album and I must commend him on the cover art:

"Hell to Breakfast" Live!

   Meanwhile, my favorite little Aussie Bastard pays homage to his mentor:

Remembering Chuck Usmar

   In the age of drone warfare it's tempting to make a broader swipe at the term.

Old Drone Warfare

   We men are experts at droning on and on. . .

"The secret to being a bore is to tell everything."

—Old Vaquero Saying

Daily Whip Out: "Paisano Bore"

The Night Man On Old 66

 March 17, 2026

   I'm always on the lookout for a good story. When Rooster Rob and I were cruising through Truxton a couple months ago, I found a good one. Or, it's probably more accurate to say, the story found me.

The Night Man

   He saw some strange sh*t on the night shift nobody in their right mind would ever believe. And then, dead people started showing up.

Western Narrative Mashup #22

Dead Man Driving

   He heard it coming before he could see it. westbound in the darkness, just beyond Truxton Canyon, the Night Man could see sparks flying as if someone was dragging a barge-full of metal on the two-lane blacktop. He looked around to see if his scrawny visitor was still eating out of the dog bowl, but he had already headed for the hills. The Night Man heard the downshifting of a huge semi-tractor trailer and then he saw the twin stacks belching flame as the monstrosity pulled off Route 66 and headed straight for the station. Whatever the driver was dragging kicked up a rooster tail of dust in the darkness and before he could join the stray canine in the safety of the ridges, the monster truck came to a swirling dust stop and he finally saw what it was pulling and what was making those sparks: an Arizona Highway Patrol car with the top sheared clean off.

  She was with a couple of hippie dudes in a Volkswagen bus and traveling at night to avoid the heat. She told him with a smile they were on their way to Disneyland, and had he ever been there before? No, he said smiling as he washed the bug strewn windshield. A grasshopper plague. Too much rain. He told her it has been crazy wet this year. She had on cutoffs which rode up her long legs and exposed a very long scar. He had a feeling she would be back and he was not mistaken.

"Sometimes you will find yourself in the middle of nowhere and sometimes in the middle of nowhere you will find yourself."

—Old Vaquero Saying

Stepping Down vs. Retiring, Part IX

 March 16, 2025

   Here's another take on last weekend's ceremony:

Russell True Is Honored as 2026 True Westerner

   Meanwhile, I had a very nice sit down talk with James Townsend recently and here is that gabfest:

What We Love About The West

   Here's a little sketch from this morning that I like because it's so loosy goosie:

Daily Mini-Whip Out: "Gunfighter Goosie"

Stepping Down vs. Retiring

   I had at least five people come up to me last Saturday night and ask me what I am going to do in December "when I retire." To repeat, I am not retiring. I am simply stepping down as executive editor of True West magazine. I will still be one of the primary owners of this storied publication and I want it to survive and thrive with new blood. Here's a former president who agrees with me:

"It's fair to say that 80% of the world's problems involve old men hanging on and who are afraid of death and insignificance, and they won't let go."

—Barack Obama

   Well, not only do I want to let go of the editorial product, I intend to be seriously involved in the stewardship of the magazine. I want to hand the reins to someone who knows how to ride a very frisky horse. Speaking of aging out, I just got a call from my step-father Lou Cady, Jr. who is turning 105 this coming October. I told him I was going to catch up with him and he laughed and told me he wanted to buy a subscription for his music teacher. He's threatening to start a musical career and I suggested perhaps we start a band. He laughed and told me he's heard my drumming and needs someone with a little more maturity. 

"Hey, Grandpa, get off the stage!"

—Another old Kingman Guy who is as old as me but crankier

A True Ranching Experience

 March 15, 2026

   Back from a fun run down to the White Stallion Guest Ranch near Marana, Arizona for our thirteenth annual True Westerner Award presentation to this guy.

Russell True and BBB

   Russell is one of my heroes because I watched him single-handedly buck the system to create the a more commercial version of the venerable dude ranching experience. The entire ceremony was video taped by this guy.

Ken Amorosano at White Stallion

(video to follow soon)

Ay Yi Ai!

   It was bound to happen sooner or later, one of my drawings has been labeled Ai by a skeptical observer. Details and a rebuttal tomorrow.

“Serve a great man and you’ll know what sorrow is.”

—Old Vaquero Saying

Our 14th Annual True Westerner Award Presentation Is Tonight

 March 14, 2026

   Seems like a couple weeks ago we were getting ready for our first True Westerner Award presentation down in Tucson. And here is one of the receipients of that first award giving his take on the signature event:

Mr. Lonseome Dove Hisself Tells The Tale

   We have had a dozen more since then and at 6:30 tonight we are honoring this guy:

       Yes, an ironic name to go with his iconic prize, this year's True Westerner, ahem, truly, deserves it.

   But, is there another more selfish reason for this award? Details tomorrow.

Stubborn As A Mule Man

"Sometimes you have to jump off the cliff and figure it out on the way down."

—Old Vaquero Saying

Wild Bill Finally Satisfied & The 66 Kids Road Show Returns

 March 13, 2026

   If you'll remember in the James Butler Hickok story, at the conclusion of his very first gunfight on the public square in Springfield, Missouri, he turned and taunted the gawkers gathered there.

      So, it just kind of stands to reason there would be an answer to that.

Daily Whip Out: "Wild Bill Satisfied" 

Road Worthy

  As long as I can remember I have been on a certain road. True, I took some wrong turns here and there but I have always come back to the highway that's the best.

We Will Kick Out The Jams!

Shining A Light On History

   When we are first starting out, we see our research into history as discovering a past scene in relative pristine order, you know, like this:

   But when you actually get out to historic sites, they look more like this:

Good luck finding anything in there!

(based on a photo by Rooster Rob Mathiasch)

   We think there are going to be ledgers still on the tables and diaries in the desk drawers but the rubble seldom retains anything like that.

“It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you don’t care who gets the credit.”

—Old Vaquero Saying

Steve Young's Seven Bridges Road & The Snide Patrol Gets All Whippersnappy

 March 12, 2026

   As much as I love the Eagles' version, I have to say, the original is just as good, if not better:

Steve Young Does The Original "Seven Bridges Road"

Seven Saguaros On Ratcliff Ridge

   Cool beans.

The Snide Patrol Gets All Whippersnappy

   When I asked for opinions on whether to continue running Classic True West in the magazine I received an outpouring of passionate voices supporting it, while one young punk insisted it has been a total waste of space. Here is how his  young, Whippersnapper crowd summarized the support I ran on this blog back on March 6: "Alas, the 'Classic True West' feature remains thanks to the opinions of the soon-to-be-in-assisted living generation."

   And if you are curious who the little punk naysayer is, it should be pretty obvious:

All Yays And One Nay

The History of Whippersnappers
   The word whippersnapper describes a specific kind of bratty, know-it-all kid, and it's only used by an older person who is talking about a younger person. It's a fairly old-fashioned word, having been around since the late-1600s, when it apparently arose out of "whip-snapper," which implied a general sense of lots of noise and very little importance. Around the same time, the word "whipperginnie" was a derogatory term for a woman.

"Yes, I was a whipperginnie for many years, but I grew out of it."

—Honkytonk Sue