Michael D King
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Michael D King
by Michael D. King
Mysterious Dave was an enigmatic frontier figure who walked the razor-thin line between outlaw and lawman across legendary cattle towns like Dodge City and Las Vegas. Operating alongside icons like Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson, he led a contradictory life, spanning roles as varied as horse thief, buffalo hunter, gambler, and deputy. Shrouded in rumor—including whispers of descent from Puritan firebrand Cotton Mather—he brought a volatile, electric presence to every saloon and back alley he occupied. His ultimate fate remains an enduring frontier myth, forever caught between tales of a violent shootout and a quiet, unexplained disappearance into the prairie dust.
In the dust-choked alleys of Dodge City, where the scent of spilled whiskey mingled with the sweat of cattle drovers, a man known as Mysterious Dave—sometimes called "New York Dave"—moved with the quiet assurance of someone who had seen the inside of every saloon and jail cell from Abilene to Las Vegas. His life was a ledger of contradictions: horse thief and lawman, buffalo hunter and gambler, train robber and hotel clerk. The newspapers called him "Mysterious Dave," a name that clung to him like the smoke from his own cheroot, and in the dim corners of frontier parlors, men whispered about the exploits that had made him a legend. He was the embodiment of the Old West’s feverish energy, a figure whose very presence seemed to promise that something extraordinary might happen at any moment.
Contemporary accounts—scribbled in telegrams and yellowed newspaper columns—place Dave beneath the flickering gaslights of Dodge City and the wind-scoured boardwalks of Las Vegas, always at the edge of trouble. He shared midnight patrols and poker tables with men like Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp, their boots echoing on the wooden planks as they navigated the uneasy peace of towns that could erupt into violence with the crack of a pistol. In the back rooms of saloons, rumors swirled that Dave’s bloodline traced back to Cotton Mather, the Puritan firebrand, as if the darkness and drama of another century had found new expression in the lawless West.
The end of Mysterious Dave’s story is as elusive as the man himself. Some say he met his fate in a haze of gun smoke, the acrid tang of powder hanging in the air as the echoes of gunfire faded into the prairie night. Others insist he slipped away quietly, vanishing into the anonymity of a boarding house room, his boots neatly placed by the bed. The truth remains shrouded in rumor and half-remembered testimony, but the legend endures—passed from one generation of storytellers to the next, a reminder that the frontier’s greatest mysteries are never fully solved.
Mike King is a dedicated historical researcher, author, board member for regional history societies, and host of the Wild West Podcast. Raised on the rich heritage of the 19th-century frontier, King brings decades of archival expertise and a lifelong passion for Westward expansion to every page, giving voice to the forgotten figures who shaped American history.
Michael King is a retired distinguished educator, award-winning administrator, and prolific author who has dedicated his career to capturing history and shaping young minds. His journey as a professional author began in 1997, launching him as an extensive and impactful writer with Aspen Publishers. A recognized voice in educational leadership, King has also contributed numerous insightful articles to the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) publications. After a decorated career in public education—culminating in national recognition as an award-winning principal—he transitioned his leadership skills and passion for research toward preserving the heritage of the American West. Over the last decade, King has established himself as a powerhouse in historical non-fiction, publishing more than twenty books in ten years. His deep expertise in regional history is frequently showcased in the prestigious KANSAS! Magazine, where his research has been featured across five separate issues. Expanding his literary reach to inspire the next generation, King now focuses on bringing early Western history alive for readers of all ages. Beyond the written word, King is the creative force, writer, and producer of the acclaimed Wild West Podcast. The show has become one of the premier digital audio programs on American frontier history, surpassing one million downloads and earning the coveted "Best of Western Podcasts" award by Podranker in 2026. Deeply committed to historical preservation and community leadership, King serves on the board of directors for several prestigious organizations, including the Boot Hill Museum, the Western Cattle Trail Association, and the Ford County Historical Society. He also manages the Western Cattle Trail Association website, where he regularly publishes engaging historical blogs that keep the spirit of the old frontier alive for modern audiences.
Step into the untamed American frontier with The Making of Wild Bill Hickok, a compelling exploration that strips away over a century of sensationalized folklore to uncover the authentic crucible that forged an Old West legend. Blending meticulous historical accuracy with the vivid pulse of classic dime-novel narrative, this book captures James Butler Hickok’s formative early years—from his abolitionist youth and daring Civil War espionage to the deadly Springfield square duel and the violent streets of Hays City. Readers fascinated by frontier history, quick-draw lore, and the captivating intersection of media myth-making and human reality will discover the genuine man behind the iron nerve, the ivory-handled Colts, and the myth that captured the nation.
Recollections of a Swedish Buffalo Hunter offers an unvarnished, boots-on-the-ground look into the American frontier through the fresh eyes of a young immigrant forging a life in raw 1870s Kansas. Seamlessly reviving the classic, illustrated dime-novel format, this compelling volume pairs pulse-pounding adventures—from railroad brawls and frozen winter dugouts to harrowing encounters with wolf packs and prairie hunts—with thoughtful reflections on the harsh ecological and human realities of early Dodge City. Whether you are a dedicated Western history enthusiast or simply searching for a fast-paced, authentic survival story, this book delivers a rich, beautifully illustrated tribute to the grit and complex legacy of the Old West.
THE GREATEST HORSE THIEF
Dutch Henry Borne: The Greatest Horse Thief pulls back the polished varnish of dime-novel lore to deliver a raw, gripping look at the shadowy economies and survival instincts that shaped the Wild West. Through meticulous archival research, period newspaper dispatches, and evocative illustrations, the book unravels the fascinating paradox of Henry Borne—a man who rode as a scout under General Custer, led a vast horse-rustling syndicate across four states, matched wits with frontier legends like Bat Masterson and Charles Goodnight, and ultimately reinvented himself as a respected Colorado prospector and homesteader. Fans of Old West history, frontier outlaw lore, and complex true-crime biographies will find it an indispensable chronicle of a life that perfectly mirrored the untamed, contradictory spirit of the American frontier.
Step into the wild, blood-soaked streets of 19th-century Dodge City to discover the true story of Edward John Masterson, the forgotten lawman who gave his life to tame the frontier. Overshadowed by his famous brother "Bat," Ed’s journey takes you from the rugged life of a buffalo hide skinner to City Marshal of the "Queen of the Cowtowns.” Packed with authentic historical detail, original newspaper excerpts, and heart-pounding action, Edward Masterson and the Texas Cowboys brings the grit, sacrifice, and true spirit of the Old West alive. Pick up your copy today to uncover the legend behind the star!
Life and Adventures
The Great American Desert didn't just make men—it swallowed them whole. Could you survive when the line between fortune and a shallow prairie grave was a single, split-second choice?
Long before Dodge City became the legendary capital of the West, young Union cavalry veteran George W. Brown crossed the Mississippi into a wild, unmapped paradise.
The history books remember the railroad barons and legendary lawmen, but they completely miss the raw, blood-soaked truth of the men who actually built the frontier from the mud up.
From surviving brutal Civil War campaigns and dodging Indian ambushes along the Santa Fe Trail, to co-founding one or Dodge City's first saloons and riding through the apocalyptic final days of the Great Buffalo Hunt, Brown's forgotten personal journals and letters bring the true, unvarnished Wild West into blazing focus.
Are you ready to see the Wild West through the eyes of the legends who survived it? This is the untamed West laid bare. Grounded in the real-life accounts of famous scout "Billy" Dixon and enriched by true tales from Life and Adventures of 'Billy' Dixon of Adobe Walls, Texas Panhandle" (1914), compiled by Frederick S. Barde. It is a classic frontier memoir detailing the life of James "Billy" Dixon, a legendary buffalo hunter, scout, and pioneer who played a key role in the Indian Wars of the Southern Plains. This captivating chronicle pulls you directly into the rugged realities of frontier life.
A Story of Survival
This narrative reclaims the authentic voices of Catherine, Sophia, Julia, and Adelaide from romanticized frontier exaggerations. It details how seven-year-old Julia and five-year-old Adelaide miraculously endured six weeks alone on the frozen Texas plains. Exploring humanity amid conflict, the story reveals the complex dynamics of captivity, including unexpected acts of empathy and protection by Native captors amidst total war. Ultimately, it serves as a bridge to healing by connecting historical tragedy with modern reconciliation, examining how extreme trauma yielded profound empathy.
Step into the tumultuous world of the Kansas frontier in the 1870s with "Billy Brooks and the Vigilantes," a gripping dime novel that brings to life the raw and often contradictory nature of law and order during this explosive era. The remarkable journey of William "Billy" Brooks takes us from the dusty trails as a buffalo hunter and stagecoach driver to the chaotic streets as a feared town marshal, gunfighter, and, inevitably, an outlaw whose fate was sealed by the very vigilantes he once vowed to keep at bay.
The Hero of the Kansas Plains
Based on true 19th-century accounts, Prairie Dog Dave tells the explosive story of David Morrow—the frontier titan who tamed the wild Kansas plains. Before Dodge City became legend, Morrow was a master marksman tracking a sacred white buffalo. Soon, he was riding alongside Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp, keeping the peace on Front Street’s deadliest deadline. Packed with dime-novel action and rich history, this is the untamed tale of the soldier, hunter, and lawman who helped forge the American West.
Wyatt Earp’s Epic Journey, by Michael King, strips away a century of Hollywood mythmaking to expose the complex, factual story of the West's most famous lawman. Backed by extensive primary-source research—including court records, police blotters, and 19th-century newspaper accounts—this unvarnished biography documents Earp's turbulent early years. From his 1871 arrest and jailbreak for horse theft to his entanglements in the Peoria vice trade and his eventual rise as a frontier peace officer, discover the true, morally ambiguous man underneath the myth.
A VOICE FROM THE KANSAS FRONTIER
When twenty-five-year-old Isadore Douglas accompanied her army-officer husband to isolated Fort Dodge in 1866, she traded a life of Eastern comfort for a mud dugout, punishing blizzards, and the relentless perils of the Kansas plains. Drawing directly from her candid surviving letters, Michael King brings this gripping, unvarnished chronicle of maternal devotion and frontier resilience vividly to life.
History becomes a laugh-out-loud playground in 1960s Germany! Follow seven-year-old Henry Hughes as he braves wild ocean storms, investigates spooky underground castle tunnels, and pulls off daring lunchtime missions. Packed with mischief, thrills, and heart, The Adventures of Henry Hughes is an unforgettable romp for young readers who love bold escapades and big mysteries.