False Summits: A History Podcast about the American West

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In Part 2 of our two-part deep dive, we follow Tom Horn in the final violent years of his life—the killing of 14-year-old Willie Nickell and the subsequent trial that sealed Horn’s fate. Was he truly guilty, or the victim of a setup fueled by fear, politics, and the powerful cattle barons he once served? We examine facts, the confessions, and the myths that still spark debate over a century later. This epi...

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In Part 1 of this two-part deep dive, we explore the early years of Tom Horn—a man whose life straddled the fine line between legend and infamy. From his humble beginnings in Missouri to his roles as a scout, interpreter, cowboy, and Pinkerton detective, this episode lays the foundation for understanding how Tom Horn became both feared and respected across the American West.

#TomHorn #TrueCrimeHistory #OldW...

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In this episode, Marcelo and the gang uncover the remarkable story of Saint Patrick’s Battalion, a group of mostly Irish, catholic immigrants who fought for Mexico during the Mexican American War (1846–1848). Led by John Riley, these soldiers switched sides, driven by religious persecution, mistreatment, and solidarity with fellow Catholics. We explore their motivations, battles, and ultimate fate, sheddin...

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In this episode, Marcelo leads gang to explore the exploits of Samuel E. Chamberlain’s tell all book My Confession: Chamberlain’s vivid, violent, and horrific memoir of his time as a soldier and drifter on the Texas-Mexico border provided historical details and characters—most notably the enigmatic Judge Holden. Chamberlains accounts would have an influence author Cormac McCarthy’s brutal philosophical mas...

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 In this episode, Marcelo tells the tale of Joaquín Murrieta, a Mexican-born 49er who became a symbol of resistance during the California Gold Rush. Dive in with us as we try to separate fact and folklore by examining his early life, the injustices he faced, and his transformation into a legendary outlaw. Was he a ruthless bandit or a folk hero fighting for the oppressed? Did he ever exist? Take a listen a...

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In this episode, Mason tells the fascinating story of Charles Hatfield, a man who claimed to have the ability to make it rain. Known as the “moisture accelerator,” Hatfield’s alleged rain-making abilities had been sought after by a western communities desperate for water in the early 1900s.  According to him, his  secret chemical compounds and techniques could bring rain to drought-stricken areas. One of h...

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Mexican Repatriation Part II

In this episode, Marcelo brings us the second part of his story on the US’s immigration policy of in early 20th Century and the effects it had on individuals, populations and the economy in both the US and Mexico then and now.

Content warning: This podcast contains depictions of state-sanctioned violence.

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 Decade of Betrayal by Francisco E. Balderrama & Raym...

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In this episode, Marcelo takes the lead and shares the heartbreaking story of the US's Mexican Repatriation policies . Amid the Great Depression, lawmakers desperate to assign blame enacted harsh, exclusionary policies. Between the 1929 and  1939, somewhere between 300,000 and 1 million people—up to 60% of whom were U.S. citizens or legal residents—were forcibly expelled, many of them children.

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In this episode, the gang follows up on one of the subjects of our first episode and explores the fascinating story of Leonard Knight and his creation of Salvation Mountain, a vibrant, handmade monument found in slab city California. Knight’s vision, born out of a deep religious conviction, turned an isolated patch of land into a colorful beacon of creativity. Join us as we dive into his journey, the meani...

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,In this episode, Jess takes the helm as the gang explores the life of Claude “Alexander” Conlin - Early 20th century magician, spiritualist, and “Master of Mentalism”. Cloaked as a mystic, Alexander dazzled audiences with his so-called psychic abilities, but behind the scenes, he led a turbulent life marked by failure fraud, and a scandalous love life.  Tune in for the wild story of one of Vaudeville’s mo...

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Texas Revolutionary: Juan Seguín. 

Hey Y'all!! 

In this episode, Marcelo takes the lead and explores with the gang the life of Juan Seguín, a Tejano leader who played a crucial role in the Texas Revolution. From fighting at the Battle of San Jacinto to serving as the mayor of San Antonio, Seguín’s journey reflects the complex identity struggles of Mexican Texans. We discuss his contributions, ...

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In this episode, Mason takes the reins and explores the eerie and controversial Blue Mustang, the 32-foot-tall, red-eyed, blue horse sculpture at Denver International Airport. Nicknamed Blucifer, this statue has sparked urban legends and conspiracy theories, especially after its creator, Luis Jiménez, tragically died when a piece of it fell on him. We dive into the history, artistic significance, and the m...

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In part III of our Halloween Trilogy of Spooky History, Marcelo leads us in the moonlight to the riverbed as we dive into the chilling legend of La Llorona, Mexico’s infamous weeping woman. From its pre-Hispanic roots to colonial influences, we explore the cultural significance of this ghostly figure who roams the night searching for her lost children. Is she a warning, a spirit of vengeance, or a tragic s...

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In part II of our Halloween Trilogy of Spooky History, Jess leads us as we cracked the lid on the legend of the Lafayette Vampire, a mysterious figure linked to an unmarked grave in a local cemetery. Is it just folklore, or does something sinister lurk beneath the Colorado soil? From strange sightings to unsettling accounts, we explore the history, myths, and possible truths behind this bloodsucking tale. 

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In part I of our Halloween Trilogy of Spooky History, Mason takes leads us on trial of smalltown cosmic horror to tell the gang about a horse from Alamosa, Colorado, that died under strange circumstances. Its flesh was reportedly stripped with surgical precision, with no blood or struggle. Some blamed UFOs, others suspected secret military experiments. The case drew paranormal investigators and skeptics al...

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In this episode, Mason takes the gang underground to talk about Project Plowshare, the U.S. government's program to explore peaceful uses of nuclear explosions. Focusing on the test taking place in Colorado including Rulison (1969) and Rio Blanco (1973), which aimed to release natural gas trapped in underground rock. While the blasts succeeded technically, radioactive contamination concerns led mass p...

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In part three, Mason wraps up our story of the 1917 Granite Mountain Mine disaster in Butte, Montana. In its wake, tensions between miners and the companies erupted. Workers demanded better safety and conditions however corporate and government forces swiftly crushed their strike, using intimidation, violence, murder and federal troops to regain control. The aftermath left deep scars on the labor movement,...

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In part two of three, Mason continues the tragic story of the North Butte mining disaster of 1917, just after midnight on June 8th, a fire broke out after sparks from a misplaced carbide lamp ignited an oil-soaked cable, filling the tunnels with deadly smoke cussing 163 miners to lose their lives. Learn about the rescue effort organized by the miners and people of Butte to find survivors by fighting flames...

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In part one of three, Mason takes the lead telling the story of the fonding of Butte MT, the rise of it's Copper King's who's companies made the city there Kingdom and the rivalry between the three that would force the city and it's industries in to a corporate amalgamated. This would create the setting for the North Butte Mining disaster of 1917 in which 163 men lost their lifes.

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