If you remember Gus and Pea Eye's fight with Indians in Lonesome Dove...

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

...you'll probably find something that sounds familiar in this site:

http://www.texiancowboy.com/articles/loving.htm

[Standpat Steve]

Does have a kind of familiar ring to it . . .

Good reference though, and interesting to read the two men's versions side by side.

Thanks

[Ol Gabe]

Interesting articles. One thing that I found curious was the nomenclature used for one of the revolvers W. J. Wilson describes, he states: "The Indians at this time made a desperate charge, and after I had emptied my five-shooting Yarger, I picked up Mr. Loving's gun and continued firing." Do you suppose this a term of endearment for his own personnal 5 shot Pocket Pistol/revolver such as 'Old Faithful' or is it indeed the name of a real manufactured revolver? The Jaeger rifle or Jaeger-style musket was used by many Hessian troops during the Rev War and later during the Civil War by many Southern forces, but I don't recall ever reading anything much about German revolvers of that make or name used in the American West. Of course if I'm wrong we'll read about it fast!
The term 'Yager' was used by many Southern troops to describe the rifles name during the early C.W. years, a derivation of the manufacturers name 'Jaeger'. Later it was changed to the more popular 'Mississippi Rifle'. No revolvers appear to have been made by Jaeger, only cut-down versions of the rifle issued to Artillery Crews and Police Guards. They also made large 'horse pistols' and many of these were probably available as were other large bore caplocks of the era. Perhaps Wilson had a brace/pair of them and thusly his comment on the 'Yargers' follows through as the cattle crew may have been 'issued' large caplocks to be carried on/in a cantle holster during a long cattle drive.
This should make for an interesting discovery of info!
Best regards and thanks for sharing!
'Ol Gabe

[litl rooster]

I'm sure Mc Murtry took libertys of many such documents in writing all of the Lonesome Dove Novel's, A Texas Ranger was the first to drive Cattle up the Bozeman Trail to Montana, as another instant... Still a good read  and  a great movie.


My horse is called Pea Eye because he doesn't care to chase Buffalo

[Second Creek Sam]

Yep.

Good article.

It always appeared top me that Lonesome Dove was a cross between The Goodnight-Loving story and Nelson Story's 1866 cattle drive to Montana.

More on Nelson Story:

http://www.sgrl.f2s.com/nelson.html

[Uncle Eph]

S C Sam, I think you hit it right on the nailhead, of course my favorite part of the Nelson Story saga is that he bought his cowboys the then new Remington Rolling Block, impressed the hell out of anyone shootin' at them.

[Col. Riddles]

McMurtry took more than liberties with Lonesome Dove. The book was loosely based on Goodnight & Loving. He just made some minor changes in the life events of these two men. The role of Josh Deets (played by Danny Glover) was based upon a former slave named Bose Ikard who cowboyed for Goodnight. Charles Goodnight trusted Icard so much that he had Ikard carry the bankroll needed for the drive. He said that if they were set upon by outlaws nobody would suspect a black man of having any money & they wouldn't search him or his belongings. Ikard was buried in Greenwood Cemetery Weatherford Tx. in 1928 where he had lived most of his life. Goodnight had a monument erected on his grave that reads "Stayed with me four years on the Goodnight Loving Trail, never shirked a duty or disobeyed an order, rode with me in many stampedes, participated in three engagements with Comanches......Splendid behavior--------C. Goodnight."  Gus gave a very similar eulogy at Josh's grave in the show. There is also a Tx. state historical marker at his grave. There are still decendants of Ikard living in Weatherford.

The Horsehead Crossing area where the attack on Loving (Gus) & Willson (PI) took place is about 75 miles southeast of where I live. Been through the area many many times. Any of yall ever get out here & wanna see it I'll take you down there. Bring a metal detector. You can still find arrow heads, horse shoes, cavalry uniform buttons & other artifacts in the area. 

[RRio]

Ya beat me to it, Col. !!       

[litl rooster]

C. Goodnight." Gus gave a very similar eulogy at Josh's grave in the show. There is also a Tx. state historical marker at his grave. There are still decendants of Ikard living in Weatherford.

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Recently bought the DVD version  (I am a little behind on technology) with the interview of McMurtry I was not impressed  with him>>> I am glad he can put a book together better than he can be interviewed. I am sure he has never hearded cattle. Col., Gus, just read the marker that Woodrow crarved out. Being most of the fellows couldn't read. Still a good adventure