ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions The Scary Life That was "Normal" in The Wild West
Howdy, partner! Have you ever imagined yourself in the Wild West, wearing cowboy boots and pretending to be a gunslinger? The Wild West was a time full of adventure and mystery that has fascinated people for years. But did you know that it was also a time of strange happenings? Let’s dive into some of the unusual things that were considered normal back then.
In 1872, in Labette County, Texas, the Bender family settled down and seemed like a normal family. Kate Bender, known as a psychic and spiritual healer, was popular in town. The family ran an inn where travelers often stayed. However, when guests started disappearing, people began to talk.
Many early settlers in Labette County were spiritualists, people with unique beliefs. Kate convinced many that she could talk to the dead, which made her famous. Her relationship with the rest of the Bender family was unclear; some thought she was their daughter, while others believed she was married to their son, John. John was considered odd, but Kate used his behavior to support her psychic claims.
Sadly, many guests who visited the inn never left. When Colonel York investigated after his brother vanished, he discovered a trap door in the inn’s basement, leading to a mass grave with 11 bodies. The Bender family disappeared, and despite a manhunt, they were never found.
In the Wild West, bounty hunters were tasked with capturing outlaws. After a crime, outlaws would hide, but bounty hunters tracked them down. The invention of the camera helped bounty hunters prove their captures, sometimes adding dramatic flair to photos of the captured outlaws.
One famous case was Elmer McCurdy, whose body was used as a prop in an amusement park for 66 years before being identified and properly buried. McCurdy had a troubled life and turned to crime after several failed jobs.
Women also played significant roles in the Wild West. Annie Oakley became famous for her incredible shooting skills, performing in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. Pearl Hart gained notoriety as the second woman to rob a stagecoach and the first to survive the experience.
Some women, like Alice Ivers, known as “Poker Alice,” made a living playing cards. Contrary to popular belief, most women in the Wild West were not involved in the oldest profession; many were business owners, medical practitioners, and more.
Life in the Wild West was tough. In Nevada, the town of Del Mar suffered due to a gold refinery that released harmful dust, causing many deaths and earning the town the nickname “the Widow Maker.” Eventually, the town was abandoned.
Do you know any more strange facts about the Wild West? Share them with your friends, and keep exploring the fascinating history of this adventurous era!
Imagine you are a journalist in the Wild West. Write a newspaper article about one of the events or people mentioned in the article, such as the Bender family or Annie Oakley. Include illustrations or “photographs” to make your article more engaging. Share your newspaper with the class and discuss the different perspectives on these historical events.
Divide into groups and create a role-playing game where some students are bounty hunters and others are outlaws. Use clues and maps to track down the outlaws, just like in the Wild West. Discuss the strategies used by bounty hunters and the challenges they faced in capturing outlaws.
Research common myths about the Wild West and compare them to historical facts. Hold a debate in class where one side argues for the myths and the other for the facts. Discuss how popular culture has shaped our understanding of the Wild West and what the reality was like.
Create a board game that incorporates elements of the Wild West, such as bounty hunting, stagecoach robberies, or life in a frontier town. Include rules and objectives that reflect the challenges and adventures of the era. Play the game with your classmates and see who can best navigate the Wild West.
Choose a woman from the Wild West, like Annie Oakley or Pearl Hart, and research her life and contributions. Create a presentation or poster to share your findings with the class. Highlight the diverse roles women played during this time and how they challenged societal norms.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
Howdy, partner! We all have dabbled in fantasizing about wearing spur-studded boots and pulling out a make-believe six-shooter from our sides at least once or twice in our lives. The age of the Wild West was an adventurous and unpredictable time in history that has captured our imaginations. But did you know that it was not just wild but also strange? Despite being described as a cowboy shooting era, there were some bizarre happenings that took place.
Welcome to Nutty History! Today, let’s explore some of the unusual things that were considered normal in the Wild West. Viewer discretion is advised, as some content may be sensitive or disturbing. We, the makers of this video, do not support or condone the actions of the subjects featured.
The year was 1872, and the place was Labette County, Texas. Among many families that purchased land in the newly formed county were the Bender family. For a year, this German family was respected by everyone in town, thanks to Kate Bender, who was known as a psychic and spiritual healer. The family also operated an inn, which became a central hub for visitors and residents alike. However, when guests stopped returning, rumors began to circulate.
Despite their reputation, whispers about the family started from the moment they arrived. Records show that many early settlers in Labette County were spiritualists, known for their unorthodox beliefs. Kate quickly gained popularity in the community, convincing many that she could communicate with the dead. Interestingly, her relationship with the rest of the Bender family is unclear; some believe she was their daughter, while others argue she was the wife of their son, John.
While Kate gained fame, John was viewed as odd, often laughing aimlessly and behaving erratically, earning him the title of the town’s “half-wit.” However, Kate was able to spin John’s behavior into her psychic narrative. Unfortunately, many guests who visited the inn never left, and the bodies found buried in a mass grave suggested that the Benders’ motives were financial, as the victims were stripped of their valuables.
Colonel York began investigating the Bender family after his brother went missing following a visit to their inn. When he gathered enough evidence, he returned to confront them, only to find the house deserted. A subsequent investigation revealed a trap door in the basement, leading to the discovery of 11 bodies. A manhunt was launched for the Bender family, but they were never found, and it is believed they may have escaped into the Wild West.
In the Wild West, bounty hunters often had to prove their kills. After committing a crime, outlaws would hide in remote areas, but bounty hunters would track them down. The invention of the camera allowed bounty hunters to provide evidence of their captures, and sometimes they would even add flair to the photographs of the deceased outlaws.
One infamous case was that of Elmer McCurdy, whose body was displayed as a prop in an amusement park for 66 years before being identified and returned for burial. McCurdy had a troubled life, turning to crime after various failed careers.
Women in the Wild West also made their mark, with figures like Annie Oakley becoming renowned for their marksmanship. Oakley was a major attraction in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show and amazed audiences with her shooting skills. On the other hand, Pearl Hart became known as the second woman to rob a stagecoach and was the first to survive the experience.
Some women, like Alice Ivers, known as “Poker Alice,” made significant earnings playing cards. Contrary to popular belief, most women in the Wild West were not involved in the oldest profession; many held various roles, from business owners to medical practitioners.
However, life in the Wild West was not without its challenges. In Nevada, the town of Del Mar faced hardships due to a gold refinery that exposed residents to harmful dust, leading to numerous deaths and earning the town the nickname “the Widow Maker.” Eventually, the town was abandoned.
Do you have any more weird facts to share about the Wild West? Share them in the comments, and don’t forget to like and share the video. Thanks for watching another Nutty History video!
—
This version maintains the essence of the original content while ensuring it is appropriate for all audiences.
Wild West – The term used to describe the western United States during the late 19th century, known for its lawlessness and frontier life. – Many stories about cowboys and gunfights come from the Wild West era.
Bender – A term used to describe a spree or period of excessive behavior, often related to drinking or violence, in historical contexts. – During the Wild West, some outlaws would go on a bender after a successful heist.
Family – A group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption, often considered the basic unit of society. – Many families traveled together in covered wagons to settle in the western territories.
Bounty – A reward offered for the capture of a person or animal, often used in the context of law enforcement in history. – In the Wild West, bounty hunters were often hired to capture outlaws for a reward.
Hunters – Individuals who pursue and capture or kill animals for food, sport, or trade, often playing a significant role in frontier life. – Hunters in the 1800s provided food and fur for settlers in the western territories.
Outlaws – People who have broken the law and are living outside of legal authority, often romanticized in stories of the Wild West. – Jesse James was one of the most famous outlaws of the Wild West.
Women – Female individuals who played crucial roles in history, including in family life, social movements, and pioneering efforts. – Women in the Wild West often worked alongside men to build homes and communities.
Challenges – Difficulties or obstacles that people face, often requiring effort and determination to overcome. – Settlers faced many challenges, such as harsh weather and scarce resources, when moving westward.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, and the understanding of how they shape the present and future. – Learning about the history of the Wild West helps us understand the development of the United States.
Settlers – People who move to a new area to establish a community, often in previously uninhabited or sparsely populated regions. – Settlers traveled across the country in search of land and new opportunities in the West.
