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Foreword: 1847 - 1890

When the beginning and end of the "Old West" took place is debatable from an historical standpoint. Many historians believe it began after the conclusion of the Civil War. However, by that time the Indian Wars had been well established west of the Mississippi River. Pioneers had the misfortune of fatal encounters with Indians throughout the western territories prior to the start of the Civil War while seeking gold and other fortunes as far west as California.

I have begun the era of the Old West with 1847 when Samuel Colt invented his Colt revolver and sold it to the U.S. government. I have chosen 1890 as the end date as it was in December, 1890 when the Battle at Wounded Knee took place thus ending the war against the Indians. Most historians agree that by the 1890's the "Wild West" had been tamed and the frontier had been, for all intents and purposes, explored.

- Robert Vollmer

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