One of the most gripping chapters of Colorado’s frontier past — the rise and violent fall of L.H. Musgrove and his ruthless gang of horse thieves, highwaymen, and killers. From Edward “Heartless” Franklin holding off seventeen U.S. soldiers, to Sanford Duggan’s desperate escape attempts, to the daylight lynching that shocked early Denver, this episode dives deep into the real story behind the West’s most dangerous outlaws.

We uncover how Musgrove built his operation, how his men terrorized Colorado and Wyoming, and how a city finally snapped — delivering its own brand of frontier justice beneath the Larimer Street bridge.
If you love Wild West history, vigilante justice, outlaw legends, and deep-dive storytelling, you’re in the right place.

Sources;

Hands up; or, Thirty-five years of detective life in the mountains and on the plains by Cook, David J.; Cook, John W., Colorado-Henkle Collection https://archive.org/details/handsuporthirtyf00cook/page/112/mode/2up

https://www.reporterherald.com/2017/11/25/musgrove-gang-meets-its-end/

Article by Kenneth Jessen

https://www.reporterherald.com/2017/11/18/larimer-countys-musgrove-gang/

Article by Kenneth Jessen

https://files.arapahoeco.gov/Sheriffs%20Office/Our%20Agency/history/A%20Message%20to%20Outlaws.pdf?t=202312051818230&t=202312051818230

https://jvlbell.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Volume-63.pdf

The Colorado History Gazette

History of Larimer County, Colorado

By Ansel Watrous, 1911

https://archive.org/details/cu31924028878936/page/n113/mode/2up

Sam Sixkiller was more than just a lawman. He was a symbol of justice on the violent frontier of Indian Territory. In this episode, we dive deep into the life of the legendary Cherokee officer whose reputation for courage, discipline, and fairness made him one of the most respected figures of the Old West.From his early service as a Lighthorseman, to his rise as the first captain of the U.S. Indian Police, to the deadly dangers he faced each day on the streets of Muskogee, this video explores the real story behind the man who helped bring law and order to a land filled with outlaws, smugglers, and killers. We’ll walk through his battles, his leadership, and the tragic ambush that took his life on Christmas Eve in 1886.If you’ve never heard of Sam Sixkiller, prepare for a story that deserves to stand alongside the greatest lawmen in frontier history.#Sam Sixkiller #Cherokeelawman #IndianTerritory #U.S.IndianPolice #OldWestHistory

Laramie, Wyoming wasn’t always the quiet frontier town it’s remembered as — it began in blood, corruption, and chaos. This episode dives into the violent rise and fall of “Big Steve” Long, a deputy marshal who turned law enforcement into organized terror. Alongside his half-brothers Ace and Con Moyer, Long ruled early Laramie from their saloon, the “Bucket of Blood,” extorting ranchers, robbing miners, and gunning down anyone who stood in their way. But when the town finally fought back, justice came on a rope.Discover the true story of how Laramie’s lawless beginnings nearly destroyed it before order ever took hold.#OldWest #WildWestHistory #SteveLong #Laramie #WyomingHistory #Outlaws #Lawmen #WildWestDeepDives #WesternHistorySources for Research;https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-stevelong/ https://www.visitlaramie.org/listing/bucket-of-blood-saloon/258/https://wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/kid-hell-wheels-laramie-railroad-arrivedhttps://www.wyoachs.com/people/2018/3/2/laramie-mayor-former-sheriff-both-die-with-boots-off-despite-vigilante-history Judy Knight ArticleFor Photos;Steve Long Hanging Alonehttps://digital.denverlibrary.org/nodes/view/1115831 Denver Public Library Special Collections