Life in the Wild West: Beyond the Hollywood Hype
The perception of life during the Wild West era is often distorted by Hollywood movies and TV shows. This era was much more varied, challenging, and complex than commonly portrayed. From the mid-1850s until the early 20th century, life in the Wild West was marked by profound diversity, rapid technological advancements, and significant socio-economic changes.
Life in the Wild West: An Ongoing Evolution
Life in the Wild West varied greatly depending on the specific time and place, as well as the individual's resources and skills. Whether one was a homeless tramp or a cattle baron, the landscape and lifestyle changed rapidly with the introduction of new technologies, such as better and bigger trains, new breeds of horses, and improved farming techniques. Significant changes also came from the introduction of crops like sugar beets, alfalfa, creosote, and jalapenos from Europe, and the cultivation of crops like corn and wheat. Additionally, the region experienced a national economic depression spanning from 1873 to 1898, which was exacerbated by epidemics, droughts, and plagues of grasshoppers that devastated farm fields. During this period, many communities and individuals struggled, often with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), drug dependency, and widespread addiction, particularly to painkillers, as well as social issues like the lack of women and children in the West.
Myth and Reality of the Wild West
The reality of life in towns such as Dodge City is often far removed from the silver screen. Mythical depictions in movies and TV shows often depict saloons as welcoming to women and frequent scenes of gunfights. In reality, women were almost exclusively barred from saloons, and gunfights were rare. Furthermore, it is less known that there were many African American and Hispanic cowboys, such as Bass Reeves, the first African American U.S. Marshal.
Everyday Life in the Wild West
The typical day in the Wild West was dull, dreary, and incredibly hard work. Beyond the local saloons where drinking and fighting might occur, life was generally uneventful. There was no electricity, no gas lights, only oil or kerosene lamps provided light. As a result, most activities ceased shortly after sundown. Streets were often muddy and unpaved, and people relied on hired labor to sweep and dispose of manure from the streets. Everything and everyone carried an odor, often horses, as this was a common sight.
Doctors and dentists often operated without anesthetics, with some using chloroform starting in the 1860s. Surgery was an incredibly painful experience, requiring patients to be either completely drunk or held down. Wounds needed to be treated daily with honey, herbs, and other natural remedies, which were often only partially effective and caused significant pain.
Houses were typically built by homesteaders with hand tools, which required a great deal of effort. They learned as they went, acquiring lumber from trees and splitting it into planks. Laundry was a time-consuming task using harsh lye, which would burn the hands and eyes. Men who rode horseback often prepared for contingencies, often carrying a second or even third horse with supplies and water, as the threat of losing a horse meant a potentially fatal 20 to 60-mile walk in the desert, without water.
Conclusion
While the Wild West era is often romanticized, it was a time of stark contrasts and remarkable challenges. Life was often marked by hard work, significant changes, and complex social and economic issues. Understanding these nuances provides a more accurate and comprehensive view of the historical period.