Western Magazine Digest

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Geronimo: The Last Words of a Once Proud and Glorious American Indian

The art of playing 'Cowboys and Indians' hinges on the following items:

Cowboys: They must have at least one cap gun each (two is better) with a nice, leather holster; a cowboy hat; and a pair of slick cowboy boots.
Indians: They must have a least one bow (without an arrow please), an Indian headdress with a least one feather in it, some red paint (NOT), and a pair of leather moccasins.

Well, after playing Cowboys and Indians a few hundred times as a kid, I grew up, grew out (literally), and eventually became interested in the historic aspects of the Cowboys and Indians issues. My interest grew and finally, here we are, writing and reading the Western Magazine Digest!

One of my things on the political level has always been the bad deal dealt to the American Indian as the white man expanded from east to west. The Apache's fought the Spaniards before the nation they called home ever became America. After the Revolutionary War was over and a new nation was borne, Geronimo and his warriors faced off with North Americans.

Perhaps one of the most compelling stories to come out of the old west was that of Goyathlay Geronimo, leader of the Bedancoa Apache Indian tribe. He was born in 1829 in a place called No-Doyohn Canyon, Mexico. He died of Pneumonia in 1909 in captivity at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He's interned there in Beef Creek Apache Cemetery.

I ran across Geronimo's last words in a book, and I knew it was necessary to share them with you, our Western Magazine Digest Cowboys, Cowgirls, and American Indian readers! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on his life and his passing, a man who was denied the privilege of spending his last moments on the land of his choosing. Please email me at WMD@usa.com.

Geronimo!
Click to read
We are now held on Comanche and Kiowa lands, which are not suited to our needs … There is no climate or soil which, to my mind, is equal to that of Arizona. We could have plenty of good cultivating land, plenty of grass, plenty of timber and plenty of minerals in that land which the Almighty created for the Apaches. It is my land, my home, my fathers' land, to which I now ask to be allowed to return. I want to spend my last days there, and be buried among those mountains. If this could be I might die in peace, feeling that my people, placed in their native homes, would increase in numbers, rather than diminish as at present, and that our name would not become extinct.
I know that if my people were placed in that mountainous region lying around the head waters of the Gila River they would live in peace and act according to the will of the President. They would be prosperous and happy in tilling the soil and learning the civilization of the white men, whom they now respect. Could I but see this accomplished, I think I could forget all the wrongs that I have ever received, and die a contented and happy old man. Source: Geronimo His own story, American History

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I personally find it sad that Geronimo was not granted his last request. His above words were written by this great medicine man and warrior in his autobiography in 1907, two years before his death when he was 79 years of age. Tell you what, here's the link to a web page where you can read all of Geronimo's heartfelt thoughts and much more: https://bit.ly/2VEab1q

Editor's Note: Be sure to tune in next weekend, Sunday morning at 8 a.m., when Timothy England presents his research on Walter Brennan. Don't miss it! --By Al Colombo

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Sunday, April 19, 2020

Hopalong Cassidy: One of the Best in the West

By Christopher Robinson

Source: Wikipedia

An Iconic phenomenon of film and television, Hopalong Cassidy was based on the western character created by novelist Clarence E. Mulford during the turn of the century. It subsequently became a cultural mainstay of the 1930s, remaining successful into the next two decades.

“Hoppy” was played exclusively by Ohio-born actor William Boyd, who grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before becoming a bit player in the early days of Hollywood (Definition of bit player is 'a person who performs a very small role in a play or movie).

Boyd worked steadily in film, even being cast, on occasion, by famed director Cecil B. DeMille, but RKO Pictures eventually dumped Boyd from their contract when another actor, named William Boyd, was arrested for a prohibition-era alcohol possession charge. A judge recommended the latter use the name ‘William “Stage” Boyd’ but after starring in the atrocious 12-chapter science fiction serial, The Lost City, “Stage” Boyd passed away.

Stick To Your Guns (1941) Hopalong Cassidy played by William Boyd

Not long after, Boyd won the lead role in the first Hopalong Cassidy B-western for Paramount Pictures.

Source: Kay David on Pinterest.

Drastically altered from Mulford’s salty scoundrel character, “Hoppy” was re-imagined as a dapper, clean-living hero who set fine examples while saving the day. Decked out in all-black and brandishing two single-action revolvers on his trusty white stallion, Topper, Boyd’s Hoppy persona featured a distinctive look, thanks to his prematurely gray hair.

Cassidy and his fellow hands worked for the Bar 20 ranch and helped the cause of justice wherever danger threatened it. In that capacity, they solved murders, saved damsels, settled land disputes and even tamed frontier towns as deputized lawmen.

Source: Kay David on Pinterest.

Cassidy also benefited from the additional luxury of having two sidekicks to share in his adventures. There was, of course, the obligatory companion of the seasoned rascally cutup variety. Windy Halliday was portrayed by none other than Gabby Hayes who began in the series as other characters in a few of the earlier films. Later on, Britt Wood joined as Speedy and finally, Andy Clyde stepped in to play a character named “California” Carson.

A younger compadre rounded out the team who, at various times, would be named Johnny, Jimmy or Lucky. Often this resident greenhorn took care of the story’s love interest, allowing Cassidy more freedom in his ensuing heroics.

Source: Kay David on Pinterest.

The series soon became immensely popular thanks to Boyd’s charm and natural approach to the role of a good-natured hero who met trouble head on and righted wrongs wherever they were found. The 'Hoppy' craze led to a comic strip, a radio series, an amusement park, and a diverse line of merchandising, including Cassidy’s distinction of being the first character on a lunch box (there’s a good trivia bit for ya).

Boyd produced the final Hoppy films himself and allegedly put all his investments into the acquisition of the Hopalong Cassidy trademark. This later enabled him to recoup his losses by releasing the films to the NBC television network. The Hoppy features were condensed for TV and Boyd soon began producing new episodes, gaining an even larger audience and kickstarting the subgenre of the TV western.

The rest, of course, is history. Not bad, pardner!

About the Author

Christopher Robinson WMD Author

Christopher Robinson is a writer, filmmaker and musician in New Jersey who has contributed to several magazines and websites.

Robinson also worked as a cameraman, videographer, cable access TV host, teacher and producer. He scripted and produced commercial videos as well as cable television programs for local consumption.

For more info about Christopher, click here.