Loved me the movie and TV westerns of the 40’s-60’s. They instilled the desire to learn what was fact and what is myth regarding the “Old West.”
An impossible fantasy is to be able to time travel to the past – in spirit form-- able to see but not be seen, to hear but not be heard, and unable to touch or in any way affect history. Sorta like the fly on the wall.
For example, how did the James brothers and three of the Younger brothers escape Northfield MN after their botched bank robbery attempt? Two – or three, according to some writers – other gang members had been slain. Both ends of the street were blocked with buckboards behind which enraged citizens fired their guns.
One Hollywood version has it that the Jameses and Youngers crashed thru storefront windows and out the back to escape but I cannot imagine horses being forced to do that. But escape they did.
Later while resting in a copse of trees, the Youngers said they would wait there to surrender as at least one of the trio was badly wounded. Jesse and Frank who were unscratched, rode off into the sunset.