Texas Red

Questions have been raised asking, "How is this a Western?" Historical truth: many of the stereotypes we associate with the culture of the trans-Mississippi "Wild West" originated in the Deep South, pre-War, including the "shootout" (the southern duel), the outlaw turned sheriff, the tough Sheriff who controlled his territory, the juke joint (saloon). These and other cultural elements were exported to the Far West with surviving Confederate soldiers, who, when returning post-War to a decimated South, headed West. The original venue for the highwayman and American outlaw type originated along the Natchez Trace; that, too, was an export. As far as "Is this a true story?" Yes, in its essential elements, although every storyteller-- in this case, Mr. Mills-- has license to "translate" it to a new medium.