True West Guidelines

[Sam Talley]

Jeff Smith was discussing something that I have pondered the short time I've been here. What time period was this organization formed to talk about? What's West? And is it geared toward the Southwest or do  the Oregon Trail settlers to the Pacific Northwest also get included? Are there any written guidelines to help new members know what is wanted from organization members?

[Gold Lady]

It's certainly not just the Southwest.  If you read the magazine, you'll see articles about the entire west.  Jeff Smith is an expert on his great-grandfather, Soapy Smith, who lived in Alaska.  He's written a book about him and quite a few blogs here about him and Alaska.  The Pacific Northwest is definitely included.  

[Sam Talley]

All my offered info is from relatives' knowledge and experiences going back to the 1800s when they came to the Pac. NW. The food, heating, transportation, travel, industry, etc. were so much different than southern life. There are so many 'little' things that are quickly being forgotten, like using pickaroons (firewood handling tools), that I feel they must be mentioned so people are aware of them, even though they have no monumental significance.

[anthony martin]

 Sam,

   At various times in American history the west was the land that was being settled by hardy pioneers,so the west of 1820-30 was rather different from the perception of 1885 for instance.I tend to be interested in the whole story of westward expansion but focus mostly on ca.1850 gold rush to around 1900 or so.Ask ten different folks about this and one is likely to get just as many answers and all have legitimacy.

[Dave McGowan]

I've studied and read history through out the world and from the 8th century to today. However, 80% of my focus has been west of the Mississippi and Hudson's Bay and from Texas to Alaska. That area is what I think of as 'the west'. What I think of as a time period for 'the west' is US Civil War to WWI. However, I also believe it's all relative; in 2085 it will probably be thought that 1990 folks lived in pioneer days.

I concentrate primarily on the Canadian 'old west' since very few have done so and those few that have didn't cover very much. I could go to our local library and probably find 10 books - novels and non-fiction - about the 'cattle wars' in Wyoming or the vigilante action in Virginia City, MO. but there will be none about the granger/cattleman troubles in what is now Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Sorry, I get into this subject and I can't shut up.

I'll stop now.

[anthony martin]

  Dave,

    Why shut up?The story of Canadian expansion and development is fascinating and partakes of the same hardy,pioneering spirit

[Dave McGowan]

Thankyou. One of the things I discovered is the AB to WY or MO travel but also the Dakota, WY, MO, to AB, SA, and BC. Or earlier on, from the US Territories to the Nort West Territories and the Colony of BC.

But I wasn't talking about shutting up about those many inter-connected subjects. I meant stop going on about what upsetts me and/or makes me happy.

As for the Canadian West and 19th cent. interaction between the two countries I could probably write a theses on that but it would interfere with my novels which is what I want to do. And I'm working on one right now that I'm very happy with; I think it might even be better than my first three.

[Eric James]

In its earliest configuration, the West was Kentucky & West Virginia. The Southwest was Tennessee & the Carolinas. The Northwest was Ohio, Indiana, & Illinois. After the Louisiana Purchase, the West became the lands west of the Mississippi - Missouri, Kansas and the Indian Territory that is now Oklahoma. The Southwest became Texas, New Mexico, & Arizona. The Northwest quickly by-passed Wisconsin & Minnesota for the Dakotas, Nebraska & the lands adjacent to the Oregon Trail & trail of Lewis & Clark.

What is considered the West today is all a virtual latecomer in American history. If we're to be factual today, Hawaii is America's West, Alaska our Northwest, and Guam our Wild West. You can still sport a gun in Guam. 

[Sam Talley]

Thank Eric. You have just clearly explained what this Ol' dummy was thinking, but couldn't get it out so it'd make any sense. When this society started though, there must have been some objectives and perimeters written down. No?

[Gold Lady]

Eric, you can still sport a gun here in Arizona, too.  And now you don't need a permit to carry it concealed either. 

[Dave McGowan]

That's something for everyone to keep in mind. We have much stricter gun laws up here and no one but peace officers can legally carry, but still, "Any nut case can have a concealed weapon".