by RadioNemo
On this episode of Beyond the Bushwhackers on Road Gang Radio, host Jimmy Mac welcomes back historian Matthew Hulbert, Elliott Associate Professor of History at Hampden-Sydney College and series editor of American Wars and Popular Culture at LSU Press, for a deep dive into the real history behind pistols, gunfighters, and the mythology of the Wild West. The conversation explores how firearms moved from everyday tools to romanticized symbols of identity after the Civil War, and how war experience, frontier life, and early marketing shaped America’s gun culture. Hulbert breaks down what people actually carried, how gunfights really worked, and why Hollywood got so much of it wrong. Topics include: Why guns were considered normal tools in early America How the Civil War changed attitudes toward violence and firearms The psychological impact of combat on veterans moving west Cap-and-ball revolvers vs. metallic cartridges Popular pistols of the Old West: Colt Navy, Remington Army, Colt Peacemaker, and the Smith & Wesson No. 3 Why quick-draw duels are mostly a Hollywood invention Accuracy, restraint, and calm under pressure in real gunfights Gun belts, cross-draw holsters, and period-correct carry styles Misfires, chain fires, and why Colt earned a reputation for reliability How firearm companies used early influencer-style marketing When guns became accessories—not just necessities Jimmy Mac and Matthew Hulbert also unpack how figures like Wild Bill Hickok, Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and Doc Holliday became legends, and how pop culture—from classic Westerns to Unforgiven—shaped modern perceptions of frontier violence. This is Part One of a longer conversation, with more to come as the series continues beyond the bushwhackers. Learn more about Matthew Hulbert’s work: https://matthewchristopherhulbert.com Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows and segments anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen live on YouTube, Facebook, iHeart, and RadioNemo.com!
On this edition of Beyond the Bushwhackers on Road Gang Radio, hosts Jimmy Mac and Lindsay Lawler welcome Dr. Matthew Hulbert, Elliott Associate Professor of History at Hampden-Sydney College and Series Editor of American Wars and Popular Culture at LSU Press. Matthew brings his deep expertise in 19th-century America to uncover the origins of Boot Hill cemeteries and the colorful, often deadly, tales of guerrillas, gunfighters, and outlaws who shaped the mythology of the American frontier. From the true stories behind legendary shootouts to how “Boot Hill” became an enduring symbol of the Wild West, this conversation explores how fact and folklore collide in America’s frontier memory. Learn more about Matthew Hulbert and his work: https://www.matthewchristopherhulbert.com/ Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows and segments anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen live on YouTube, Facebook, iHeart, and RadioNemo.com!
In this episode of Beyond the Bushwhackers on Road Gang Radio, hosts Jimmy Mac and Lindsay Lawler sit down with Matthew Hulbert, Elliott Associate Professor of History at Hampden-Sydney College and Series Editor of American Wars and Popular Culture at LSU Press. Matthew’s research focuses on 19th-century America, guerrilla warfare in the western borderlands, and how the Civil War is remembered in culture and film. In this conversation, he explores the life and legacy of Jim Lane—a controversial Civil War figure who played a major role on the Kansas-Missouri border. Learn more about Matthew Hulbert: https://www.matthewchristopherhulbert... Jim Lane in the Civil War Encyclopedia: https://civilwaronthewesternborder.or... Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen on iHeartRadio using the links below. Nemo Nation: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ne... Road Gang Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ro... We Should Write: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-we... Trucking with OOIDA: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-tr...
Step into the Old West with this edition of Beyond the Bushwhackers, hosted by Jimmy Mac and Lindsay Lawler. Historian Matthew Hulbert joins the show to dive deep into the life, myths, and legacy of Wild Bill Hickok, one of America’s most famous gunslingers, lawmen, and gamblers. Was Hickok really as fearless as legend says? How did his reputation grow, and what role did dime novels play? What truths lie beyond the tall tales of the Wild West? Join us as we separate fact from fiction and uncover the man behind the myth. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Beyond the Bushwhackers episodes exploring the legends and lore of American history. Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen on iHeartRadio using the links below. Nemo Nation: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ne... Road Gang Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ro... We Should Write: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-we... Trucking with OOIDA: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-tr...
In this episode of Beyond the Bushwhackers on Road Gang Radio, hosts Jimmy Mac and Lindsay Lawler are joined by Matthew Hulbert, Elliott Associate Professor of History at Hampden-Sydney College and Series Editor of American Wars and Popular Culture at LSU Press. Together, they dig into the controversial life and legacy of Pat Garrett — the Old West lawman best known for killing the legendary outlaw Billy the Kid. Was Pat Garrett a hero, a hired gun, or something in between? Matthew Hulbert brings a historian’s eye and a storyteller’s voice to unpack the facts, myths, and movies that have shaped this Wild West narrative for over a century.
On this edition of Beyond the Bushwhackers, Jimmy Mac and Lindsay Lawler are joined by Dr. Matthew Hulbert, Elliott Associate Professor of History at Hampden-Sydney College and Series Editor of American Wars and Popular Culture at LSU Press, to explore one of the most controversial—and misunderstood—figures of the American West: Tom Horn. Was Tom Horn a hired gun, a government scout, a misunderstood scapegoat—or all of the above? Dr. Hulbert brings expert insight to the story of this former Pinkerton detective and range enforcer, whose legend has been shaped as much by popular culture as by historical record. In This Segment: – The real Tom Horn vs. the Hollywood version – Horn’s role in the violent world of range wars and frontier justice – How Horn’s trial and execution cemented his myth – What his story tells us about the blurred line between lawmen and outlaws in the Old West Step beyond the myth and into the historical gray area of a man who became a symbol of a wilder America.