Wise About Texas

The Texas History Podcast

Rank #1: Episode 50: The Texas Rangers–The Beginning..
Texas Ranger.  Two words that strike fear in the heart of the lawbreaker and hope in the heart of the law abiding. Since before there was a Texas, there were Rangers.  How this elite force officially began is the subject of some controversy.  There is no doubt that Stephen F. Austin realized the need to take the fight to the hostile Indians he encountered in his new colony.  In this episode, you hear Austin's own words describe his ideas to defend his new colony and his personal funding of a group of rangers.  I also discuss the various rangers that are often considered the first and why such men were even necessary.  I also cover the first battle between Texas Rangers and comanches, beginning a war that would last decades.  Hear about the origins of the most famous law enforcement organization in history--the legendary Texas Rangers.

Rank #2: Ep. 46: The Great Comanche War Trail.
Every fall, the most feared cavalry the world has ever known, the Comanche Indians, would leave their home on the great plains and raid deep into Mexico taking horses, and humans, back with them.  They followed an ancient trail that came to be known as the Great Comanche war trail.  The Comanche were not prosperous until the Spanish introduced the horse which turned around the fortunes of an entire people.  The Comanche Indians managed to convince the Spanish to help them defeat the Apache, which then opened up unfettered access to Mexico via the war trail.  From the panhandle to the Rio Grande, the raiders followed a well-defined trail almost a mile wide at points.  Famous springs and river crossings were used for centuries.  Even today, you can drive the same trail used by traders, Indians, stagecoaches and travelers.  The Great Comanche War Trail.Your host standing on a remnant of the great Comanche war trail near Persimmon Gap.The low spot is a remnant of the great Comanche war trail near Persimmon Gap.Spot along the great Comanche war trailView along the great Comanche war trail.

A New History of Old Texas

Explore the history of early Texas as you’ve never heard it before, using new research and recently uncovered documents.Season 1 traces the identity of modern-day Texas to the first 160 years or so of San Antonio's history, from its founding in 1718 until the arrival of the railroad in 1877.Season 2 covers the Battle of Medina, the largest, bloodiest battle in Texas history...and the narrowing search for the battlefield itself, which has eluded searchers for more than a century now!-- As seen on the Rivard Report, KSAT12, GreatDaySA, and the San Antonio Business Journal! --

Rank #1: Founding San Antonio.
On June 13, 1691, Spanish explorers gave a name to the spring-fed river whose banks they crossed on that feast day of St. Anthony de Padua - San Antonio. It would take twenty-seven more years of political intrigue, religious zeal, and French incursions before they would be able to plant a permanent settlement there, seeding it with a hardy mix of soldiers, missionaries, and frontiersmen.

Rank #2: The Battle of the Alamo.
The Battle of the Alamo as you've never heard it before.

Dr. History's Tales of the Old West

Dr. History's audio stories of the Old West. Stories of Cowboys, Indians, Mountain men, pioneers, the Oregon Trail, miners, cattle drives, stagecoach and bank robbers, the cavalry, outlaws and lawmen, some famous and some you have never heard of. From the Custer Battlefield to the Klondike to Indian battles to buried treasure and lost mines to the early explorers. I love telling true stories that shaped the old west.

Rank #1: Bigfoot.
Was there really a "Bigfoot"? Yes, not a myth, he was a very large man who was jilted by a girl and turned bad. His days ended in a gun battle. Also, a short story about a stagecoach that ended up at the bottom of the Snake River. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rank #2: Kit Carson.
Mountain man, scout, guide and war hero, his name was enough to prevent Indians from attacking. He fought with and against the Indians while traveling the entire west. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We Will Not Be Tamed

Texas Parks and Wildlife Podcast: Bringing you the latest about efforts to conserve the wild things and wild places of Texas

Rank #1: Episode 46: Alvin Dedeaux, Thomas Flemons & Tim Birdsong.
Walking the talk is something We Will Not Be Tamed Ambassador Alvin Dedeaux tries to do every day. A couple of years ago, Alvin spent his birthday picking up trash on the Colorado River. That sparked an idea for a bigger event, and the LoCo Trash Bash was born. We caught up with Alvin, Thomas Flemons and Tim Birdsong next to a very full dumpster in Austin as the second annual LoCo Trash Bash wrapped up.The post Episode 46: Alvin Dedeaux, Thomas Flemons & Tim Birdsong appeared first on Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

Rank #2: Episode 45: Debbie Richardson & Pam LeBlanc Post Water Safari.
“It was intense, horrible, incredible, wonderful, humbling and brutal.” That’s how first-time Texas Water Safari finisher Pam Le Blanc described the 260-mile odyssey from the headwaters of the San Marcos River to Seadrift in the “world’s toughest canoe race.” We Will Not Be Tamed ambassador and now 12-time Texas Water Safari finisher Debbie Richardson encouraged Pam every step of the way. Listen in on our latest podcast as the two reflect on the grueling adventure.The post Episode 45: Debbie Richardson & Pam LeBlanc Post Water Safari appeared first on Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

Texas Standard » Stories from Texas

Stories from Texas are written for and recorded for the Texas Standard radio program. They’re written by W.F Strong and edited for broadcast by Texas Standard producers.

Rank #1: Lingo for Gringos: Ten Spanish Words All Anglos Should Know.
I call this commentary “Lingo for Gringos” mostly because it rhymes, but it should really be called “Ten Spanish Words all Texans Should Know.”I’m not talking about the easy words like cerveza, vino, tortilla, taco and baño. And I’m not talking about the common words you say every day that are actually Spanish words – patio, plaza, armadillo, mosquito, etc. I’ve chosen 10 words that are important for their social significance. If you know very little Spanish but at least know these words, you will have a clue as to what is going on around you. Listos? Ready? Here we go.Aguas means “watch out” or “be careful.” My wife uses it often when children are in danger: “Aguas, aguas,” she says with the same tone of impending doom, whether they are really about to walk off a cliff or could just get gently bumped by the fridge door. The expression has its roots in the cities of long ago when water used to be tossed out the second story windows and walkers below would warn their companions by yelling “aguas.”Guácala is a slang word, popular throughout Latin America. It means “gross” or “disgusting.” It is also fun to say. It has an onomatopoeic quality that makes the word sound like what it describes. It animates the moment. Guácala, for all that disgusts you. And a true grammarian who just heard me torture the pronunciation of the adjective form for onomatopoeia probably just said it.Ni modo is two words, but always sounds like one to me. I love this expression. It means “What can you do?” Or “It is out of our hands.” Or “Whatever will be will be.” Ni modo. Someone says, “They’ve changed the computer system at work again.” Ni modo.N’ombre is not the meaning for “name,” but a word with an apostrophe that is short for “no, hombre.” N’ombre. “No way.” It has many nuances of meanings, but for the most part it expresses surprise, disbelief, or even shock. “Did you know Lisa and Chuy eloped?” N’ombre!Güey means dude. N’ombre, güey! “It can’t be, dude!” The Big Lebowski would be the ultimate güey. “El Güey aguanta.” “The Dude abides.”Chisme is gossip or rumor. Good, juicy stories. “Tienes chisme?” “Got any good gossip?” When Facebook was new, I would hear people say, “Facebook es puro chisme,” meaning that private information could easily slip out and travel to all the last places you would want it to go.Naca or naco. Don’t confuse this with narcos – those who work for cartels. A naca is a girl or a woman who sports unsophisticated tastes or at least less sophisticated than you. She is often, like true rednecks, proud of being authentic. If Jeff Foxworthy spoke Spanish he might do this routine: “If you think Sharpie eyebrows are high-fashion, you might be a naca. And if you think mullets are in – hate to say it – ‘N’ombre, que naco!’”Sin vergüenza means without shame, or without embarrassment. It is used when someone stuffs her purse with buffet food at the reception. We say, “sin vergüenza.”Resaca is a hangover. It is a common word in the Rio Grande Valley. It is another name for the oxbow lakes so common there. Just as the oxbow lake is a leftover or hangover from the Rio Grande, resaca is the name for a hangover from the tequila of the night before. “Tengo una resaca horrible.” “I have a horrible hangover.”Órale is famous for having about 40 different meanings achieved by variations in vocal inflection and situation. Some linguists say it has 820 meanings depending on the tone, time of day, style of hair and what shoes you’re wearing. It is used for enthusiastic affirmation. Someone says “vámonos por una cerveza” and you say, “órale.” It means, “Let’s go ahead,” “absolutely,” “let’s do it,” “hurry up,” “wow,” and dozens of other things. One Texas English equivalent for órale is simply, “there you go.”So there you have the 10 words that will be helpful to you. I want to say gracias to my gorgeous wife Lupita who has taught me these words and many others I cannot share on radio. But these 10 will serve you well in our increasingly multilingual world.Soy W. F. Fuerte. Estos son Cuentos de Tejas. Algunos son ciertos.I’m W.F. Strong. These are Stories From Texas. Some of them are true.

Rank #2: Samuel Walker: The Real Walker, Texas Ranger.
One of the most fascinating Texas Rangers of all time was Samuel Hamilton Walker — no relation, we should say right off the bat, to Chuck Norris’ fictional character Cordell Walker. Many Ranger aficionados rate Sam Walker the second-most-important Texas Ranger of all time, behind Jack Coffee Hays, with whom Walker rangered. Now that’s a dream team.Samuel Walker arrived in Texas six years after Texas had won its independence. In five more years, in 1847, he would be dead. But in those five years he would defend San Antonio from Mexican forces, invade Mexico four times, escape from a Mexican prison and help design one of the most famous guns in history, the Colt Walker six-shooter.Walker’s first foray into Mexico was part of the ill-fated Mier expedition, which was for the purpose of punishing Mexico for its illegal incursions into San Antonio. Walker was not yet a Texas Ranger. He was with a group of men who believed they would repay Mexico for their illegal incursions into Texas. His group was attacked by a much larger army of Mexican troops who engaged them in defense of the Mier. 180 Texans were taken as prisoners.Santa Anna ordered them all shot, but cooler heads in the Mexican government prevailed and a decimation instead: one in 10 would die. The Texans were ordered to draw a bean from a pot. Among the 159 white beans were 17 black ones. Those who got a black bean would be executed on the spot; those who drew white beans would live. Sam Walker got a white bean.The prisoners were marched 800 miles across Mexico’s brutal deserts. Walker mentioned in his journal of the Mier Expedition that he would not trade Texas for 100 Mexicos. He was however, impressed with the fine architecture he encountered in the churches of San Miguel de Allende, which remains true for the many expatriate Texans who live there today.Once in the capital, some of the prisoners, including Walker, was imprisoned at Tacubaya, suburb of Mexico City, and some were marched another 100 miles and incarcerated in the infamous Perote Prison. Walker’s group was forced to do road work, including building a road from Mexico City to Santa Anna´s summer villa, which further enraged Walker. This amounted to a lot of salt in a deep wound, and he nurtured his loathing for Santa Anna — indeed, for all Mexicans — all his life, so much so that his friends called him “mad Walker.”There is a much-shared myth about Walker’s time imprisoned in Mexico. The story goes that he was ordered to dig a hole for a flagpole and raise the Mexican flag. According to one version of the legend, he put a dime at the bottom of the hole and vowed to return one day, reclaim the dime, and raise the Texas flag. Several years later, the story goes, he retrieved his dime when he returned with American forces to occupy Mexico City. It’s a good story, but probably not true. Walker never mentioned it in his journals. Also, the flagpole in the various versions of the myth is always in Perote Prison, in the state of Vera Cruz, and Walker was never incarcerated there. He was, however, part of Winfield Scott’s invasion force that sacked the prison in 1847, and that may well be where the legend has its origins.Walker eventually escaped from the Tacubaya prison — a story that would make a good novel in itself — and made it back to Texas. He joined up with Jack Hays and the Texas Rangers in 1844 and fought in many of the most famous Indian battles.When General Zachary Taylor sent out a call in 1845 for volunteers to scout for his federal troops, Walker immediately signed up. He ran messages through the Mexican lines to keep Fort Texas (soon to be Fort Brown) aware of Taylor´s plans for invading Mexico. Walker led the charge in the battle for Monterrey. It was after Taylor’s forces had secured Monterrey, in 1846, that Walker took a brief furlough and traveled back east. There he gave Samuel Colt some ideas for improving Colt’s earlier model of his revolver called the Paterson pistol. Colt, in gratitude, named a special, very heavy model of his new six-shooter after Walker.Walker next joined up with General Winfield Scott’s campaign to pacify Mexico City. Though he was officially made a U.S. soldier, everybody still thought of him as a Texas Ranger and called him Ranger Walker. Scott’s army invaded Mexico at Vera Cruz and advanced from there toward Mexico City. On the way, they sacked Perot Prison, released the prisoners and turned it into a fort for the American forces.But Walker would not live to make it back to Texas. He was to die a few months later, fighting the army of his old nemesis, Santa Anna, at the town of Huamantla, where Santa Anna had positioned his forces to stop the U.S. troops’ march to rescue the American garrison under siege at Puebla. Walker led his company, which was ahead of the main U.S. force, into battle there. His men fought fiercely until the main force arrived to defeat Santa Anna, but Walker didn´t get to enjoy the victory. He lay dead; his prized Colt Walkers at his side. He was 32. In retaliation, his men went on a wild rampage, sacking, looting and pillaging the town.Walker’s body was returned to San Antonio; eventually it was interred in the Odd Fellows Cemetery next to the unidentified remains of the defenders of the Alamo.It’s said that Walker was not a man you would much notice in everyday life. He was of average size, and quiet. But in battle he was a lion. In his Notes of the Mexican War 1846-1848, J. Jacob Oswandel observed of Walker that ‘’war was his element, the bivouac his delight, and the battlefield his playground.”Walker lived more in his short life than your average ten men live in their long lives combined. He is the Walker, Texas Ranger, that should be most remembered.

Wild West Podcast

Welcome to Wild West podcast where fact and legend merge. The Wild West Podcast presents the true accounts of individuals, who settled in a town built out of hunger for money, regulated by fast guns, who walked on both sides of the law, patrolling, investing in and regulating the brothels, saloons and gambling houses. These are stories of the men who made the history of the Old West come alive - bringing with them the birth of legends, brought to order by a six-gun and laid to rest with their boots on. Join us now as we take you back in history, to the legends of the Wild West.

Rank #1: Battle of the Plaza, April 16, 1881 .
The Wild West podcast presents the Battle of the Plaza the retelling of the gunfight between Bat Masterson, A.J.Peacock, and Al Updegraff. The story begins on April 15, 1881, after Bat Masterson living in Arizona is telegraphed by an unknown informer, notifying Bat that his brother Jim was about to be assassinated by the co-owner of the Lady Gay, Jim Masterson's partner. Purchase the book A Man in a Black Derby Hat at Amazon. Bat takes a train to Dodge City and arrives on the April 16 noon train but decides to get off early suspecting he might encounter resistance at the train depot. The Battle of the Plaza written and produced by Mike King takes the listener deep into the conflict surrounding the feud between Jim Masterson and A.J. Peacock over the Lady Gay Saloon. The story narrated by Brad Smalley gives a first-person account as the gunfight begins to unfold the night before at the Long Branch Saloon when George a local cowboy inquires about the ongoing conflict between Jim Masterson and A.J. Peacock. During the twenty-minute podcast, many legends of the old west are revealed to include the characterization of Bat Masterson, A.B. Webster, Tom Nixon, Pat Sughrue, Fred Singer, A. B. Webster, and Jim Masterson.

Rank #2: Hell Cats of the American West .
To our listeners around the world to include England, Australia, Japan, Canada, Sweden, Ireland, Brazil, Finland and the United States of America the Wild West Podcast proudly presents Hell Cat Maggie and Whiskey and Westerns on Wednesday’s. Join us as we explore the Hell Cats of the American West retold from Dodge City Kansas during the time when It was known as the Wickedest City in the West.

Legends of the Old West

Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, and Butch and Sundance. Lakota, Comanche and Apache. Wars, gunfights and robberies. This show covers the toughest lawmen, the wildest outlaws, and the deadliest towns — all the people and events that shaped the American West.

Rank #1: The Coffeyville Raid.
On October 5th, 1892, the Dalton Gang attempted one of the most daring robberies in the history of the West. Armed with Winchester rifles, they tried to rob two banks at the same time in broad daylight in Coffeyville, Kansas. The result was a running gun battle with the townsfolk that has become legend. Special guest discussion with Bob Boze Bell, Executive Editor of True West Magazine.

Rank #2: TOMBSTONE | All That Glitters.
Wyatt Earp earns a reputation as a peace officer in the tough cowtowns of Kansas before his brother Virgil entices him to move west. Doc Holliday begins a promising career as a dentist in Georgia before tuberculosis, and possibly darker troubles, drive him out of the South. Holliday and the Earps converge on a mining camp called Tombstone in the Arizona desert with dreams of making their fortunes. Sound Effects: https://www.freesfx.co.uk/ Pond 5 Music: Original sound and music by Robb Vallier "Theme" by The Mighty Orq "Swamp Ghost" by Brian Wayy courtesy of Pond 5 "Across The Mountains" by Brian Wayy courtesy of Pond 5 "Shine On" by Brian Wayy courtesy of Pond 5 "Outlaws" by Brian Wayy courtesy of Pond 5 "Lonely Traveller" by Brian Wayy courtesy of Pond 5 "Iminhor Drone" by Chris Jacobs courtesy of Pond 5

American West History and Lore

There is still, and always will be, so much more to explore in the American West.

Rank #1: 19-Butch Cassidy and the Fort Worth Five Photograph.
On this episode we talk about a couple different variations concerning the infamous Wild Bunch photograph known as the Fort Worth Five

Rank #2: 18-Bodie, California.
Bodie is probably one of the most widely known ghost towns of the American west with its colorful towns folk and haunted history Tune in to hear about it all

Drift & Ramble Podcast

A podcast about the histories, mysteries and folklore of the old west. Stories about outlaws and bandits, lawmen and American Indians. Campfire tales and few ghost stories, too. So saddle up or settle in for the Drift & Ramble Podcast. New episodes every second Sunday!

Rank #1: Drift and Ramble Podcast EP 14 Doc Holliday.
The gunfight at the OK corral only lasted 30 seconds but two men associated with that battle would become the most widely recognized gunfighters of the wild west. So why did it take 50 years for the the story to become legend and just who was this man we think we know named "Doc Holliday?"

Rank #2: Drift and Ramble Podcast EP 15 Wyatt Earp.
The true story of Wyatt Earp isn't you're probably familiar with. Thanks to Hollywood, Josephine Marcus and an author named Stuart Lake, what we think we know is that this famous lawman made his bones with the gunfight at the OK corral. But what really made Wyatt Earp famous may surprise you. It had nothing to do with gun play. Still, the true story of this American icon is no less fascinating. Wyatt Earp is featured in Episode 15.

Talk Like a Texan

Talk Like a Texan – Host John Nova Lomax delves into the quirks and idiosyncrasies of the Texas lexicon.

Rank #1: This One's For All Y'all.
John Nova Lomax discusses the proper usages of Y'all with UT Associate Professor of English and Linguistics Lars Hinrichs.

Rank #2: Talk Like a Texan: Let's Chaw the Rag.
Howdy, y'all, why don't you put on your sitting britches, and let's chaw the rag, as this episode of Talk Like a Texan is all about our pithy and colorful sayings

tales of the texas rangers

Joel McCrea stars as Texas Ranger Jace Pearson in this thirty minute western adventure series. The shows are all reenactments of incidents from Texas Ranger history. The Texas lawman and his trusty steed, Charcoal, would track a criminal, often a killer, throughout the vast 260,000 square miles of Texas. With Joel McCrea lending star power, Tales of the Texas Rangers debuted over the NBC radio network on July 8, 1950. The thirty-minute show, sponsored by Wheaties, ran on Saturday nights at 930 for three months. In October, the show switched to Sunday evenings, eventually settling into the six oclock time slot. The weekly adventures were set during the past two decades in order that the show have a modern slant. Ranger Jace Pearson drove an automobile, but he had a horse trailer and often galloped astride his horse Charcoal into the backcountry in pursuit of lawbreakers. First Broadcast date July 8, 1950. Last Broadcast date September 14th 1952

Rank #1: travesty 06/15/1952.
A deputy is under suspicion of tire theft. Based on events of February 12, 1951.

Rank #2: ice man 02/24/1952.
The Rangers break up a stolen car ring and catch a boy who is too good with a knife.

Civil War Talk Radio

CWTR is a weekly, hour long, intenet-based talk radio show hosted by Gerry Prokopowicz of East Carolina University. Each week, Gerry interviews leading historians, authors, enthusiasts, etc. on all things Civil War related.

Rank #1: 704-James W. Loewen-The Confederate and Neo-Confederate Reader: The 'Great Truth' about the 'Lost Cause'.
James W. Loewen, author of 'The Confederate and Neo-Confederate Reader: The 'Great Truth' about the 'Lost Cause''

Rank #2: 1022-Robert I. Girardi-The Civil War Generals: Comrades, Peers, Rivals-In Their Own Words.
Robert I. Girardi, author of "The Civil War Generals: Comrades, Peers, Rivals-In Their Own Words."

Portraits of Blue & Grey: The Biographical Civil War Podcast

Portraits of Blue & Grey, hosted by Christopher Moore, is a biographical Civil War podcast that examines the lives of the most prominent, interesting, and influential figures of the United States Civil War Era.

Rank #1: Episode 1: Robert E. Lee, Part 1.
 Despite his initial misgivings about secession, Robert E. Lee would come to be the figure most commonly associated with the Confederacy.  Part 1 of our portrait of Lee looks at the general's family history, childhood and education, service in the United States Army, thoughts about slavery, and decision to join the Southern rebellion.   Email us with any questions or comments about the show at BlueAndGreyPodcast@gmail.com.  Or visit the show's webpage at PortraitsOfBlueAndGrey.podbean.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rank #2: Stonewall Jackson: Part 1.
Portraits of Blue & Grey: The Biographical Civil War Podcast examines the lives of the most prominent, interesting, and influential figures of the United States Civil War Era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The National Podcast of Texas

Hosted by Andy Langer, the National Podcast of Texas features weekly interviews with prominent Texas thinkers, leaders, and newsmakers.

Rank #1: Jimbo Fisher: “Whatever I tell you, you can take it to the bank”.
Andy Langer speaks with Texas A&M’s new head football coach about pressure, leadership and the culture of Aggieland.

Rank #2: National Podcast of Texas: The Lance Armstrong Interview.
Andy Langer talks to Armstrong about how cycling in Texas has changed, covering the Tour de France as a podcaster, and the one thing he would change from the past.

Stories, A History of Appalachia

One story at a time

Rank #1: A Fugitive Returns.
Connolly Fields lived with his wife in Scott County, Virginia, in the 1880s.  All was well, until he, his wife, his brother in law William and his associates all got into a fight over trespassing on the Fields’ land.  That resulted in Connally going on the run for 16 years.  Today we tell his story. The Stories podcast is found on RadioPublic, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn, Player FM and on most other podcast apps. Thanks for listening and thanks for sharing our stories with your friends.

Rank #2: Encore: Christmas Stories.
This week Rod and Steve are away from the podcasting microphones so they can spend time with family, so this week we present an encore of our first Christmas podcast, from 2015. It’s only four days til Christmas…or is it sixteen? This week, Steve lets you know which when he tells the story of Old Christmas in the mountains. Then Rod tells you about the Santa Train, which runs from Kentucky, through Virginia, and into Tennessee every year, passing out food, candy, toys and clothing to those families in need in this part of Appalachia. You can subscribe to the Stories podcast at RadioPublic, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, IHeart Radio, Spotify and on many other podcast apps. Thanks for listening. Merry Christmas!!