The Hoodoo Brown Story
George W. (Hoodoo) Brown was born on March 20, 1847, in Newton County, Missouri. His family left Missouri for Illinois after his father was threatened for being pro-North. In December 1863, Brown enlisted the Illinois Cavalry to fight for the North. Towards the close of the Civil War, he opposed Indians in the Dakotas. Brown mustered out in Minnesota in October 1865. In 1866, he began his westward journey. One of his first jobs was in Abilene, Kansas working for the famous Joseph G. McCoy. He also ran ox teams, herded cattle into Colorado, served as an Army scout, and cut timber for railroad ties before hunting buffalo. In the meantime, Brown married Sallie Lemon in 1867. In 1872, Brown and his business partner, Charley Stewart, built the second permanent building on the site of Dodge City, a 14-square foot saloon from lumber hauled from Russell, Kansas. It had a dirt floor and sat south of the railroad tracks. Whiskey cost them $2 per gallon, and they sold it for 25 cents a drink. By 1873, Brown was back at the buffalo hide business, one which he followed until the end of the buffalo herds, killing his last buffalo in the year 1885. It was around 1874 when the Jones & Plummer trail was established between Ft. Dodge, Kansas, and Ft. Elliott, Texas. This trail was named for the Jones & Plummer Cattle Co., which brought its cattle from the Texas Panhandle on the Canadian River to Dodge City. The trail was used as a freight and stagecoach route until the railroad's coming forced its closure in 1887. |
In the winter of 1877, Hoodoo Brown and another freighter spent a bitterly cold night on a high, rounded, windswept hill just east of where the town of Meade now stands. As the two shivered beside their freight wagons in their buffalo robes, the other freighter pondered why no one had thought to build a road ranch at this spot on the trail. There was no other road ranch closer than Jim Lane's place on the river at Beaver City to the south. Brown thought the matter over in the night, and by morning he had decided to start up such a road ranch. He would have been thirty years old at the time.
Hoodoo Brown erected a sod cabin to serve as his store. He built a second sod building to house his family, wife, Sarah, and three children, Nellie, Sonny, and Grace. The soddies he located at "The Wells," as they were called, or artesian springs. A half-mile downstream, he erected strong corrals to hold the freighters' ox teams and mule teams. In a nearby meadow, he cut hay for winter feed. At this location, Brown dispensed flour, meal, bacon, dried fruits, gunpowder and guns, rope, harness, saddles, ox yokes, canned foods, spices, tobacco, sugar, tea, and the many items used by the people on the frontier. His customers were the freighters from Mobeetie and Fort Elliott, plying between there and Dodge, and the cattlemen who brought their herds to Dodge for shipment.
Brown operated his road ranch until the closing of the trail in 1887, at which time he moved to Meade and worked a hotel with a partner, Charles Edwards. In 1887, his daughter, Grace, for whom Graceland Cemetery was named, her brother and a sister of Mrs. Brown, died of scarlet fever. They were buried on the Brown homestead. On September 15, 1888, the Browns deeded 40 acres of their homestead to the Graceland Cemetery Association.
It would have been shortly after this that the Browns left Meade, for Hoodoo is reported to have made the rush into Oklahoma in 1889. Still later, he was reported living on a good farm near the town of Henrietta, Oklahoma.
Hoodoo Brown erected a sod cabin to serve as his store. He built a second sod building to house his family, wife, Sarah, and three children, Nellie, Sonny, and Grace. The soddies he located at "The Wells," as they were called, or artesian springs. A half-mile downstream, he erected strong corrals to hold the freighters' ox teams and mule teams. In a nearby meadow, he cut hay for winter feed. At this location, Brown dispensed flour, meal, bacon, dried fruits, gunpowder and guns, rope, harness, saddles, ox yokes, canned foods, spices, tobacco, sugar, tea, and the many items used by the people on the frontier. His customers were the freighters from Mobeetie and Fort Elliott, plying between there and Dodge, and the cattlemen who brought their herds to Dodge for shipment.
Brown operated his road ranch until the closing of the trail in 1887, at which time he moved to Meade and worked a hotel with a partner, Charles Edwards. In 1887, his daughter, Grace, for whom Graceland Cemetery was named, her brother and a sister of Mrs. Brown, died of scarlet fever. They were buried on the Brown homestead. On September 15, 1888, the Browns deeded 40 acres of their homestead to the Graceland Cemetery Association.
It would have been shortly after this that the Browns left Meade, for Hoodoo is reported to have made the rush into Oklahoma in 1889. Still later, he was reported living on a good farm near the town of Henrietta, Oklahoma.
Thrills and Tales from the Frontier: George 'Hoodoo' Brown's Exciting Exploits and Jack Stilwell's Gripping War Experience
In this riveting episode, we traverse the wild frontier through the lens of George W Brown, also known as Hoodoo Brown, and Jack Stilwell. Born under the Missouri skies in 1847, George Brown's tale is one filled with excitement, danger, and the raw reality of frontier life. He brings us along on his perilous journey, from fighting in the Union Army to life as a bullwacker, hauling wood for the government.
His recollections are teeming with gritty detail, painting a vivid picture of the wild Texas steers he dodged and the treacherous wagon trips he navigated. Through his stories, we get a glimpse into the dangers of carrying large sums of money on the trail and the necessity of a practical and robust trail boss like Owen M Smith, who taught Brown invaluable skills as a cowboy.
The second half of our journey introduces us to Jack Stilwell, a scout handpicked by Colonel George A Forsythe for a special operations unit. His experiences take us from being recruited at Fort Hays to the throes of intense battles, with every tale making your heart pound and mind spin. One of the most gripping accounts is his recollection of the Battle at Beecher's Island, a stark reminder of the life-threatening situations these scouts often found themselves in.
We also get to know about Stilwell's clandestine mission with French scout Pierre Trudeau, adding a layer of mystery and intrigue to his already gripping chronicles. The impact of these events on the troops and the eventual outcome provide an insight into the strategies and outcomes of these frontier skirmishes.
As we venture back to George Brown, we find him joining forces with the legendary Buffalo Bill and other scouts on a mission to clear the Republican region of Indians. The skirmishes and interactions with the native tribes offer a different perspective on the frontier life and the struggles faced by these intrepid explorers.
These tales from the wild west, filled with danger, excitement, and a relentless pursuit of survival, paint a vivid picture of the frontier life. From the wide-open plains to the echo of cattle drives in the distance, this episode transports you back in time, immersing you in the wild, untamed world of George Brown and Jack Stillwell. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys a good adventure, these unforgettable chronicles from the frontier are sure to captivate your imagination.
His recollections are teeming with gritty detail, painting a vivid picture of the wild Texas steers he dodged and the treacherous wagon trips he navigated. Through his stories, we get a glimpse into the dangers of carrying large sums of money on the trail and the necessity of a practical and robust trail boss like Owen M Smith, who taught Brown invaluable skills as a cowboy.
The second half of our journey introduces us to Jack Stilwell, a scout handpicked by Colonel George A Forsythe for a special operations unit. His experiences take us from being recruited at Fort Hays to the throes of intense battles, with every tale making your heart pound and mind spin. One of the most gripping accounts is his recollection of the Battle at Beecher's Island, a stark reminder of the life-threatening situations these scouts often found themselves in.
We also get to know about Stilwell's clandestine mission with French scout Pierre Trudeau, adding a layer of mystery and intrigue to his already gripping chronicles. The impact of these events on the troops and the eventual outcome provide an insight into the strategies and outcomes of these frontier skirmishes.
As we venture back to George Brown, we find him joining forces with the legendary Buffalo Bill and other scouts on a mission to clear the Republican region of Indians. The skirmishes and interactions with the native tribes offer a different perspective on the frontier life and the struggles faced by these intrepid explorers.
These tales from the wild west, filled with danger, excitement, and a relentless pursuit of survival, paint a vivid picture of the frontier life. From the wide-open plains to the echo of cattle drives in the distance, this episode transports you back in time, immersing you in the wild, untamed world of George Brown and Jack Stillwell. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys a good adventure, these unforgettable chronicles from the frontier are sure to captivate your imagination.
Buffalo Hunt and Whiskey Busts: The Wild Exploits of George W Brown, Prairie Dog Morrow, and a Tumultuous Night at Buffalo City
Imagine the thrill of a buffalo hunt in the Great Plains during the 1870s. Imagine the excitement and the fear, the anticipation and the adrenaline. Now imagine reliving these experiences from the comfort of your own home, through the captivating narratives of two audacious characters - George W Brown and Prairie Dog Morrow. This is the experience offered by our latest podcast episode.
In the episode, we delve into the lives of these two men, exploring their thrilling adventures from the Dakotas to Montana. Their mastery of buffalo hunting is detailed, as well as Prairie Dog's unique prairie dog catching technique - an unexpected skill that proves to be quite useful on the frontier. This segment gives an unparalleled insight into the life of a buffalo hunter and the rapidly changing landscape of the Great Plains in the 1870s.
But our journey doesn't stop at hunting. We introduce the saga of whiskey at Fort Dodge, an unexpected twist that adds an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to our narrative. The episode explores why a liquor ban was implemented, how it stirred chaos, and how it led to the birth of a new underground business just outside the fort’s walls. These rogue whiskey sellers turned the frontier into the wild west we all know.
The episode doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of the era. We share the chilling story of a young man named Langford, whose life took a fateful turn after a perilous night of drinking. The aftermath of a drunken brawl sees him grapple with five gunshot wounds and a grueling recovery. Through this narrative, we explore the dire repercussions of alcohol use, the role of friendship, and the extraordinary resilience of the human body.
The episode is not just a history lesson; it's an adventure, a cautionary tale, and a celebration of the human spirit. The narratives of George W Brown, Prairie Dog Morrow, and Langford weave together to form a riveting tapestry of the 1870s frontier. From the exhilaration of a buffalo hunt to the drama of the whiskey saga at Fort Dodge, this podcast episode offers an engaging and immersive exploration of a pivotal era in American history.
In conclusion, whether you're a history enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or just someone looking for an engaging podcast to pass the time, this episode is a must-listen. So, grab your headphones, settle in, and let us transport you back to the wild and tumultuous Great Plains of the 1870s.
In the episode, we delve into the lives of these two men, exploring their thrilling adventures from the Dakotas to Montana. Their mastery of buffalo hunting is detailed, as well as Prairie Dog's unique prairie dog catching technique - an unexpected skill that proves to be quite useful on the frontier. This segment gives an unparalleled insight into the life of a buffalo hunter and the rapidly changing landscape of the Great Plains in the 1870s.
But our journey doesn't stop at hunting. We introduce the saga of whiskey at Fort Dodge, an unexpected twist that adds an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to our narrative. The episode explores why a liquor ban was implemented, how it stirred chaos, and how it led to the birth of a new underground business just outside the fort’s walls. These rogue whiskey sellers turned the frontier into the wild west we all know.
The episode doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of the era. We share the chilling story of a young man named Langford, whose life took a fateful turn after a perilous night of drinking. The aftermath of a drunken brawl sees him grapple with five gunshot wounds and a grueling recovery. Through this narrative, we explore the dire repercussions of alcohol use, the role of friendship, and the extraordinary resilience of the human body.
The episode is not just a history lesson; it's an adventure, a cautionary tale, and a celebration of the human spirit. The narratives of George W Brown, Prairie Dog Morrow, and Langford weave together to form a riveting tapestry of the 1870s frontier. From the exhilaration of a buffalo hunt to the drama of the whiskey saga at Fort Dodge, this podcast episode offers an engaging and immersive exploration of a pivotal era in American history.
In conclusion, whether you're a history enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or just someone looking for an engaging podcast to pass the time, this episode is a must-listen. So, grab your headphones, settle in, and let us transport you back to the wild and tumultuous Great Plains of the 1870s.
Part One: How Prairie Dog Morrow Got His Name
We begin our story in early June of 1872 two hunters are tracking a large herd of buffalo along the Smoky Hill River and its tributaries between Fort Hays and Fort Wallace. The region was well known by experienced hunters as the special hunting grounds for the Cheyenne Indians. As hunters Hoo Doo Brown and Dave Morrow travel south to the Arkansas River, Morrow, an adventures fellow, begins to tell how he became an entrepreneur by raising prairie dogs – thus giving him his nickname Prairie Dog Morrow.
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Part Two: A Man Named Nixon
In part two of the story Hoo Doo Brown travels further up the old Santa Fe freight road and meets up with a dark haired man stacking hay. The man named Thomas Nixon along with another man by the name of Masterson had killed over 204 buffalo in one day. What Hoo Doo Brown did not know at the time, was the place he was having a conversation with Nixon was soon to become a boomtown called Dodge City. The story narrated by Brad Smalley and written/produced by Mike King is the first introduction of Thomas Clayton Nixon. He was one of the first pioneers of Dodge City and by the 1870’s he was a successful buffalo hunter, as well as a ranch owner.
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Part Three: All Dried Up
In part three Hoo Doo Brown without the company of Dave Morrow decides to find the nearest whiskey establishment. He travels to Fort Dodge only to find out the new commander of the post has stopped the sale of whiskey. To Brown’s surprise the blame for the halt of whiskey sales on the premises is due to a lieutenant Turner who had knocked Colonel Dodge to the floor. The story narrated by Brad Smalley and written/produced by Mike King is a part of a historical series about the early buffalo hunters in Kansas.
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Part Four: Whiskey on a Plank
In part four Brown meets George Hoover who has setup a make shift whiskey bar in the middle of the plains. He explains to Brown how he had an obligation to feel the needs of railroad worker and buffalo hunters by opening up a bar. Opening a bar was simple process, he only needed two things: a place to sell it and the barrels to supply it. He convinces Brown to go into the whiskey business by opening a bar next to his tent. Hoover then describes how he settled on the location of his makeshift bar, "The western border of the reservation was five miles from the Fort itself. So I decided to mark off five miles from the Fort. To take a true measurement of the distance traveled, I tied a rag to a wheel on my wagon.
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Part Five: Bad Whiskey Business
Part five takes you into the streets of Dodge City, then named Buffalo City - at the first look of crude framed buildings, half wood, and half dugout. The streets were populated with freighters, hunters, and soldiers. Brown describes how he becomes the second saloon owner by constructing a fourteen-foot wood structure. It only took a week for entertainment to reach the small makeshift town. The gamblers and women started to arrive in big bowed, mule-driven wagons. What comes next from those wagons begins to play out as bad whisky business - as one of the first gunfights erupts in the street between gambler Moorehouse and ruffian by the name of Langford.
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