The REAL Lonesome Dove: Old West History Revealed

Lonesome Dove remains one of the greatest Old West novels (and movies) of all time. But did you know that real-life people and events inspired much of the story? Today, we discuss the TRUE HISTORY behind Lonesome Dove-Charles Goodnight, Oliver Loving, Bose Ikard, Nelson Story, Blue Duck, Teddy Blue Abbot, and more! We also share our favorite Lonesome Dove quotes and a little behind-the-scenes trivia. This is a must-listen for fans of westerns and Old West history! #history #wildwest #western
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[@davidruppel1216]

I agree 100% on Lonesome Dove is the best Western ever made and the book was also excellent!

[@ProudGirlDadX2]

Gus McRae is hands down Robert Duvalls best role and I don't know if there is a more interesting, better yet a more enjoyable character to watch in any movie, miniseries or television series than Gus McRae. I can also say that although I've only read the novel once, I've watched the miniseries in it's entirety at least 25 times. And I enjoyed every minute of it every single time 🤘. By God Woodrow, it's been one hell of a party ain't it?

[@TheCosmicRealm3]

@@davidruppel1216 Idk about "ever" made, but it's definitely "one of" the best ever made.

[@The_Keto_Klingon]

I honestly can't pick a favorite quote. This is one of my favorite movies of all time.

[@Bobbysixgun]

Every single character in lonesome dove is spot on especially Ricky Schroeder I hated that kid for doing the shows he did in the champ he was the best actor extremely talented but when he did newt in my eyes he redeemed himself and I judge all actors by Ricky Schroeder

[@ryanh9183]

"Get outta here, Tim McGraw!" That always cracks me up. It's too bad it's the kind of joke that's hard to share without all the context. But "Don't play with your Tahlequah" gets a laugh from my coworkers every time. Your assessment of Wayne and Stewart's involvement is dead on. Thought Garner was a proper choice for Call for Laredo. Gotta disagree on Dead Man's Walk. Also gotta disagree on Last Kind Words. Cool dialogue but that's all. His Custer book is great, though. My favourite quote is the one you ended this with. However I also like, "When was the last time you were happy?"

[@ryanh9183]

I know it lame to reply to your own comment but I'm gonna anyway. About three months ago I went to a concert and had a shot with a pal and sunny slopes was my toast. I'm going to the same place with the same pal today and plan on doing the same toast. Long live Gus McCrae.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Viva la Gus

[@madmartigan7502]

"I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it!" Woodrow F. Call

[@cdfe3388]

That Army scout done fucked up…

[@guadalahonky4002]

My favorite scene. Because as we all know, and Captain Woodrow would flatly deny, Woodrow FINALLY stood up for his son, who was being horse-whipped.

[@matthewchumley3322]

"Well darlin', i wont say i did and i wont say i didnt. But what i will say is a man who ain't willing to cheat for a poke don't want one bad enough."

[@WoefulPie]

"My wife is in Hell, where I sent her. She made good biscuits but her behavior was terrible." Good ol' Po Campo

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

"what I like about the man is he's a philosopher"

[@daviddawson1718]

However, I do want to try her biscuits.

[@homersreluctantodyssey2508]

we dont rent pigs. not necessarily a quote but something ive always remembered

[@CooterWiggly]

The person who can drink a glass of buttermilk without being forced to at gunpoint has immeasurable willpower and a gut made out of iron

[@odinsson204]

I do like me some buttermilk.

[@rickflippin1]

I love buttermilk and cornbread just the best

[@CooterWiggly]

I'm originally from the Northwest, where buttermilk isn't a common l beverage, and as I child i was out having breakfast with my fam at a restaurant and ordered myself a glass having never heard of it before. It was an experience I remember quite well and it was an instance where I something important, albeit the hard way, about combining trust and curiosity. It looked like milk, so when I got it I took a gulp and discovered that buttermilk had a highly offensive flavor that was totally unlike butter or milk, and that whoever named it had maliciously done so to satisfy the sadistic sense of humor he had developed after a lifetime of worshipping the devil. Over the years I've seen it at a few stores next to the milk in the dairy case looking benign and pretending to be like the milk that it was sitting by. In cartons just like the milk, and with a stamped expiration date, which I assume is just to be ironic and add a little more black humor since it's obvious that buttermilk doesn't spend any time refrigerated prior to hitting the store shelf. I see no other explanation since it's clearly beyond expiration before having a predicted shelf life stamped on the carton. To those folks (that apparently possess stomachs that can digest asphalt) who actually like drinking it, or to the guy that shockingly said he loves it, if you're being honest and not fucking with me, or perhaps failing to mention that you can't taste anything because you lost your tongue after being dared to lick a frozen flag pole when you were a kid, then I solemnly bow my head in humble respect of your supernatural ability.

[@elainebrown874]

I agree with that. 👍🏻

[@brianMcGranahan0311]

Words of a man who never understood lactose intolerance lol

[@royebarb4328]

Rye will do as long as it gets here quick lol

[@daronledonledon3036]

I agree what was said Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall fit the characters in lonesome Dove perfectly lonesome Dove is one of the Best Westerns ever made 👍👍

[@rayl.clemonsjr.4210]

My favorite quote from "Lonesome Dove" is the one from the scene just after Josh Deets was killed.It's a quote I found myself repeatedly saying when remembering a loved one who has passed away.Gus:"I don't wanna start thinking Woodrow,about all the things that we should've done for this good man..."

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Yeah, that's a powerful scene

[@rayl.clemonsjr.4210]

I still shed tears when I see that scene.The music from that scene and series is just so emotionally moving.

[@wiscocarpenter39]

"He never shirked a task." Was just thinking that at work

[@oletimer5853]

Yes, powerful statement All the things WE should have done or said ….

[@mrdraper4633]

19:26 I thought that initially too, but remember… Spoon stayed with the brothers through murders of several innocent people, not just cattle rustling

[@chadmaryjohnson708]

"He can't hit nobody from thar, he's just waistin his bullits ." Moments later, Gus gut shoots his buddy from 300 yards. 😂 Great episode, Josh! Love your channel!

[@tims.3950]

“If you want one thing too much it’s likely to be a disappointment."

[@trekfortruth2841]

"It's a little early in the morning to go wigglin' yer bean ain't it?"

[@chadepperson8945]

Get out of here tim McGraw 😂

[@WorldwideBushcraftSurvival]

"We don't rent pigs." It is a quote that says a lot about a man.

[@billm2078]

Havin possum for supper are yeh? Yeah but you ain't unless ya get one of your own!

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Greatest portrayal of east Texas on film ever

[@cz-bundy6896]

Got to love all the old western books. I was actually named after one of the Sacketts. Thanks for all the content man. I have enjoyed it all

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Jubal or Tell?

[@MCENTRAL8G]

I am from Spain and never actually been to the states, but i cant help but to be sooo in love with this whole american old west topic and american history in general. Keep up the content!

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Hola Spain

[@victorbergia3237]

Yo también soy Español y vivi en Texas muchos años 50 años. A mi también me fascinaba los historias del viejo oeste. Buscaba puntas de flechas porque me gustaba lo de los nativos mucho Los conquistadores tenían un par de huevos bien puestos también.

[@krl97a]

The miniseries was also a masterpiece because of the great Basil Poledouris' musical score.

[@yankeewatchdog6493]

"Lori Darlin'.'' Thanx for the history lesson

[@jessejames7757]

Oliver loving is my great great grand father.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Very cool

[@BobcatWolfenstein]

I enjoyed the miniseries for Deadman's walk, maybe biased though cause it draws from the bean incident which my ancestor was present for

[@scottwebster695]

In Tyler Sheridan's 1883 Charles Goodnight makes an appearance along with some of Quanah Parker's Comanches.

[@McDanielRanch]

One more. Shout out to Ben Johnson's ol son. The best cowboy on the silver screen. And killed it in the last picter show.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Ben Johnson is great

[@andycole566]

"The heard is south. Go that away. If you run into a polar bear, you'll know you went the wrong way"

[@rudolfyakich6653]

A wall won't stop a .50 cal. But a dentist will. Gus

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

That's a fact

[@robertstanfill2360]

I have all the series. Dead man's walk Comanche moon lonesome dove and streets of Laredo. Read them each several times. Great series.

[@daviddawson1718]

They are all worth your time reading.

[@chrismacchiaroli9037]

"You know Deets is like me... he's not one to quit on a garment just because it's got a little age."

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

me and my boxer shorts agree

[@chrismacchiaroli9037]

@WildWestExtravaganza lol, thanks Josh... love your show bruh.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Thank you!

[@gunfighterzero]

Lol ive said that about several people few ever catch where it comes from

[@CelticHound357]

You ended the vid with my favorite quote. "I won't say that I did and I won't say that I didn't. But I will say. A man who won't cheat for a poke, don't want one bad enough."

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

One of the best

[@CelticHound357]

@@WildWestExtravaganza This one and the rude behavior by Call. My two favorite quotes.

[@stevekeen7035]

A man that does like to rent pigs...is hard to stop

[@hollyandersen3886]

I too, loved the book. My husband and I watched the very first TV series of Lonesome Dove. His Uncle gave me the book later. It was easier to understand the show after reading the book. McMurtry was a great author. The actors were perfect and made the book come alive. I don't have a quote, but my favorite part of the movie was when his old girlfriend comes outside to investigate and is awe struck because Gus is there , and they kiss. She is just like the girl he first met. I also, loved how he brought Lori back to herself, after he rescued her from Blue Duck. He was so kind and gentle hearted.

[@thetrumpnewsnetwork7503]

Calls bad behavior quote has always been my favorite.

[@johnnieplageman9145]

Here’s to the sunny slopes of long ago.

[@garrettolsen3416]

"It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it." I say this quote nearly everyday of my life.

[@thirddegreeburn8863]

Think you could somehow make some content on Blood Meridian? Idk what exactly you could do but it’s such a good book.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Yes, coming soon

[@plymouthduster225]

My favorite quote has to be " I hate rude behavior in a man I wont tolerate it" Woodrow F. Call

[@dalemitchell2006]

"what's good for me, isn't necessarily good for the weak minded." I believe is what gus said.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

One of the best lines

[@Rollin_L]

More great stuff, Josh. I'd seen Lonesome Dove when it first came out, and was surprised later to learn about Goodnight and Loving. Was even more surprised when, after learning a bit about Billy the Kid, I found the Fort Sumner connection. It would likely be the now-famous little cemetery where Oliver Loving was temporarily interred, about the time the Kid was just a kid in Indiana. Perhaps Loving was near where the 20+ soldiers were resting, until themselves being relocated to Santa Fe about 1906. Sometimes the real stories are as good or better than the fiction novelists can create.

[@richarddodds9326]

My maternal grandfather, Richard Walker Call was in the Calvary back when they still had horses. In Texas.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Very cool

[@bretthines1020]

Excellent account of Goodnight-Loving. I lived in Canyon growing up and the Panhandle-Plains Museum was right down the street and I went there weekly. In Boy Scouts we camped in Palo Duro often. You tell an astonishing story with connection and accuracy!

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Canyon is a pretty cool little down, great museum

[@marsrizzo2854]

I’m blue duck and old lady showed me how to fly

[@roymcnicholas4825]

I knew lonesome dove was based on real stories and people but I didn't know how close it came to them . The tv series was spectacular and realistic to what the west would have been like, but I wasn't keen at all with all the ones that came after 'they seemed like they were trying to live up to the first one and it didn't work for me .

[@Michigan_npc]

Kid you not, im reading this book that is 50 tales from the old west and i JUST read this one today in spanish class i think it was like tale 28 or one of those numbers

[@woolybowly4205]

Absolutely sweet timing. Been rewatching the series over the last week... First time in 15 years.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Nice

[@MartyCrump-k2q]

My favorite line is probly the shortest in the movie i say it all time.when not so great things happen to family friends I say "I SWEAR DEETS"

[@rialobran]

'I doubt it matters where you die, but it matters where you live. As always brilliant.

[@lauralcoffey6081]

You should read Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. Best Western novel ever.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Yep, read it several times. Amazing book.

[@markpalmer5509]

You don’t boss me Woodrow. I’m the one man you don’t boss.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Great line

[@debraanchante3661]

Lonesome dove is my all time favorite movie/mini series of all time.

[@stevekeen7035]

Dans feeling bloody again aint he?

[@MartyCrump-k2q]

A friends gf was flirting with acquaintance instead of bowling .He was irritated.i said "I swear Deets"

[@bobbrown9158]

Larry McMurtry had a great ability to detail, his detailed novels is what set him apart from other authors. Lonesome Dove, Streets of Loredo, Commanche Moon, Dead Mans Walk and other brilliant books, kept me awake till the wee hours in the morning. The Last Picture Show was a great more modern portrayal of a dying town and culture. His contribution to American literature is Bar None.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Agreed

[@Ccwm7089]

Better to have it & not need it, as to need it & not have it!

[@Bobbysixgun]

My buddy bought the series for me everytime they came out I got a hardcover in the mail lol

[@anonymousf454]

You ever check out that channel "Unworthy History"? Man it would be cool if you could narrate some of those stories. I like your brand of storytellin bro😂👊👍✌

[@jayfelsberg1931]

In James Michener's "Centennial," the cattle drive headed north encounters Goodnight bringing Loving's body back to Texas for burial

[@outdoorloser4340]

"A man who wouldn't cheat for a poke don't want one bad enough" 😂

[@richardmartin2646]

The queen of hearts

[@JoshJones-37334]

“I don’t know much of philosophy. Now let’s go, I don’t like being away from the herd this long.”

[@trwsandford]

That story rocks! And so do you my friend! I wanna watch it again now. Yet as I look over at my bookcases…. The novel has my attention. A well worn copy. Maybe I’ll watch it soon. I’m gonna re-read the book again.

[@louislapointe9601]

Gus whimsically watching Deets sew his torn up and tattered pants : "Ol' Deets aint one give up on a garment" Not much for furthering the story, but wonderful characterization. This is a book I have returned to over and over. The prequels don't quite match up with the original book either, some of the story facts are a little bit off. It is a love letter to Texas and Cowboys without a doubt.

[@chriscraus6530]

I did enjoy it! Thank you, Josh!

[@Cbaroody]

Gus told Petie that “It’s not dying I’m talking about, it’s about living” when Gus wanted to chase those buffalo. Call was not there so he did not say it to him. Otherwise all great quotes. Call to Gus on the porch after Call gets back from guarding the River. “If you want to think something, how about thinking that roof back up on the Barn”?

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Fo sho

[@texaswoc3461]

I live in Archer County texas and Palo pinto county, throckmoton and Ft Belknap are all within an hour drive from me. So much wild west history occurred around here with the Comanches. I actually spent the night at Ft Belknap with my Boy Scouts troop when i was a boy. Ft Griffin is also less than an hour away. I often tell my wife when driving around just to imagine a band of Comanche coming over the hill and what that would feel like out here on the wife open plains!

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

How’s Fort Belknap to visit?

[@wgm6]

@WildWestExtravaganza pretty country

[@vernoncrown]

Likely there are many of us that envision in our imagination what the scene would be like in the 1800's, and like you, I do it often. I have sometimes said, "I was born in the wrong century". I absolutely love the history of the West!

[@erinb23]

Lonesome Dove is one of my favorite books! I've read Lonesome Dove at least 5 times. Thank you so much for this post! ☘️❤️☘️

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

same

[@scottwebster695]

My favorite scene from the movie is when August is chased and kills his horse to use as a barricade. Augustus tempts them by shooting short. One of them gets up and starts dancing daring him to shoot, thinking he's out of range. Augustus dials in his sites and proves otherwise.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Love that scene

[@krl97a]

"Hell yes I'm ready Woodrow. Don't I look ready?" Not my favorite but funny.

[@filibertoarteaga9571]

I have the. Series on dvd. The first time I saw it I noticed the sheriff and deputy have the same name as characters in the movie Bandolero July Johnson and Roscoe

[@andrewkelley1222]

They finish their drinks and stand up. Xavier takes Gus’ hand and says, “Goodbye my fine friend…” Gus, in return, replies, “Goodbye to you, my good friend.”

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

That's a powerful scene. Wanz was deeply in love with Lorena and Gus knew that wasn't no small thing. With someone like Dish, he was young and he'd get over it. With a man Xavier's age, that sort of love could destroy them (which it did). Gus also knew a guy like Xavier required a certain formality. He could tease the younger cowpokes because they'd just move on to other women. For Wanz there was no other woman.

[@donc9751]

Lonesome Dove still is the best book I've ever read, and I read a lot! The characters were perfect!!! Especially Gus McCrea and Woodrow Call, they were perfect!!!

[@NrmnLV605]

Hello from the Black Hills Josh! Glad the show is doing so well. Great episode. Have you watched Into The West yet, just checking..

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Hello! No not yet

[@fatherofmimes4236]

“‘Ride with an outlaw, die with him. I admit it’s a harsh code. I’m sorry you crossed the line, though.‘” I will admit, I'm fairly ashamed to say I had to look the last part up (old timers)... Thanks Josh!! This is my wife and my favorite of all time westerns. Guess I need to get to crackin' them books you mentioned. High Quality Entertainment Kind Sir.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

“I never seen no line Gus”

[@robertstanfill2360]

Teddy blue was a major character in Larry mcmurtrys buffalo girls.

[@pickititllneverheal9016]

“Nobody’s perfect, but some are more imperfect than others.” - Woodrow F. Call And “It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.” - Gus McCrae

[@sevinstorey4365]

Wrong. Gus didn’t say “it’s better to have it,….” That was Woodrow F. Call. Telling young Newt when they set out to steal cattle from the Mexicans.

[@happycappy-jn6jc]

That was a great show. I sure didn't know any of that

[@brandonmcdaniel3659]

HELL YA 🤘🏼 finally

[@skooter6381]

"I hate rude behavior in a man, won't tolerate it." Captain Woodrow

[@scottwise4800]

“Well, we don’t rent pigs and I figure it’s better to say it up front ‘cause a man that does like to rent pigs is… he’s hard to stop.”

[@stephen25lc]

The movie has many quotes that I love. I even use some in my daily living. Lonesome dove is a masterpiece. The best quotes are the dialogue between Capt Call and McCrae. Being able to relate to how their characters were, it beings me back. Most of the cattleman I worked for behave very similar.

[@jakeroberts7435]

Damn good video, Lonesome Dove was and is one of my all time favorites. In the 70s l lived by the Canadian river, the Dixon Creek branch of the 6666 ranch, it looked like where Gus rescued Lori darling from Blue Ducks gang.

[@tlspatriot]

“The best thing you can do for death is ride off from it” Gus

[@troybullard9631]

"I just want a poke." Because it's always on my "things to do today" list.......

[@EJ-ky1yj]

“ A man who wouldn’t cheat for a poke doesn’t want one bad enough”.

[@troybullard9631]

@@EJ-ky1yj Or tell a whopper, or two. "Of course, I love you ! Adios, your cab fare is on the night stand....."

[@MartyCrump-k2q]

1 more favorite line Jake Spoon " I can think about it rich or poor"

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Great line

[@pickititllneverheal9016]

Great Western. Probably my second favorite after Tombstone.

[@jimanaz]

Besides the whiskey, we'll require a little respect.

[@MrSomethingElse]

Ok Cuz, I've got the first 4 seasons lined up, I just had to roll up some of these new fangled "Pre-Rolls" and feed all these cats that seem to hang around here and bust out some Stevie Ray but I'm ready to go... it better be good, this "Norman Tebbit".....HOLY SHITBALLS!!!! What a Cast dude, thanks for the tip cochise....

[@johnnieplageman9145]

How’s it going this evening sir?

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

It's going amazing, you?

[@johnnieplageman9145]

@@WildWestExtravaganza I am sitting here with a few cold beers listening to podcast excellence sir!

[@CraigBuffington-ch1ig]

First off i just want to say that I absolutely love your channel and thank you for covering one of my favorite books of all time. Do you think you might do some of the other books in the series perhaps streets of Laredo?? I’m sure I’m gonna start a fire storm here, and I know that streets of Laredo stands upon the shoulders of Lonesome Dove, but it’s my favorite book in the series. On another note; Does anyone else think that the final Blue Duck encounter seems forced? I have a theory that Larry McMurtry wasn’t going to put that part in the book but was going to use him as the villain in the sequel instead of mox mox. Your thoughts?

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

I love Streets of Laredo too!

[@Bobbysixgun]

This intro gave the most serious case of goosebumps I've ever experienced DAMN

[@bigGullyV]

Awesome, thanks for the great content.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Thanks for putting up with me

[@bretthines1020]

“Well…it’s just never agreed with me.”

[@4effort0error4]

I too, also grew up on Lonesome Dove. My mom was a cowgirl herself, so naturally she loved Westerns. My family thought the film was inappropriate for a little girl to watch, but it set off my biggest fixation and hobby, studying the Wild West. I too, also read Lonesome Dove, I was given a copy by my English literature teacher my junior year of high school. I think it’s kinda neat someone has a similar experience as me and I’m not some “weirdo” like others in school bullied me for.

[@richardlincoln8438]

" My Wife is in Hell, where i sent Her..... She made good biscuits but "....i tell ya Josh..... That G' damn snorin' .... every phukin' night...that G' damn snorin'.... Excellent episode Sir. Thank You very much.... Best Wishes to You and Your Family.

[@sunnyjacksmack]

I though Robert E Lee freed the slaves.

[@geoffkeahey2651]

Read all of the books. Streets of Laredo was my favorite. But it wouldn't have had near the impact without Lonesome Dove.

[@davidwomble6035]

Them bulls will hook you,old man Barlow got hooked by. One. Well old man Barlow was a slow thinker.Well he was a slow walker too

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

He shoulda listened to Pea!

[@yimboninja7415]

I guess this will teach me to be careful.What I promise people in the future -woodrow Great Indian outlaw bit

[@kneesusforjesus2879]

Older the violin, the sweeter the music- I enjoyed this episode thanks!

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Thank you

[@Bobby-u7f]

Fortunately I read the book 2 or 3 times before seeing the movie which I had little interest in since I knew I would only be aggravated by the inconsistencies. I was wrong. It was the first time I've ever seen a movie that actually fit the book and I agree, no one else could have portrayed those characters the way the ones in it did, especially Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall. "It never occurred to Call to shoot a man when he could hang him".