WTX - A History of West Texas
Welcome to West Texas. Where the sky stretches on forever, and the stories are as vast and rugged as the landscape itself. On this podcast we will explore the characters who have etched their names into the sun bleached history of this region. From outlaws and lawmen, to everyday folks who dared to dance with destiny, host Jody Slaughter explores the legends, the truths, and the tall tales that define this undefinable region.
Episodes
14 episodes
Halloween Special - Close Encounters of the WTX Kind
Two of the most famous UFO cases in American history happened right here in West Texas, six years apart. Lubbock Lights (1951): professors watch, measure, and even photograph bluish formations. Levelland (1957): glowing...
#8 - Before There Were Boots on the Caprock
Welcome to Season 2 of WTX: A History of West Texas! In this episode, we’re starting at the very beginning. Not the beginning of cowboy stories or Comanche raids — the beginning. Before the first human foot ever stepped onto the Llano Estacado....
#9 - The Liar and the Spaniard
In the spring of 1541, a Spanish army led by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado rode east out of New Mexico in search of golden cities. What they found instead was West Texas.This episode traces one of the most ambitious—and disastrous—expedi...
#10 - The Comanche
Most stories of the Comanche are written from the white man’s point of view—heartless, brutal savages. But there’s more to them than that. In this episode, we reconstruct what the daily life of a Comanche warrior was really like: their training...
#11 - Texas Tech: The College West Texas Built
For nearly a decade, the people of West Texas fought for something most of the state took for granted: a college of their own. They battled through three governors, three legislatures, and one outright scandal. They were...
Halloween Special - Ghost Riders in the Sky: The Legend of Stampede Mesa
Ghost Riders in the Sky is one of the most popular Country songs of all time. But did you know it was inspired by events right here in West Texas? Join us as we take a spooky look at the Legend of Stampede Mesa. Just don't listen before bedtime...
Family Holiday Special: The Legend of Pecos Bill
Just in time for your holiday road trips, this is a special episode that the whole family can enjoy! Kick off your boots and settle in for the legend of Pecos Bill, the Texas folk hero who was raised by coyotes, rode a tornado, tamed the wildes...
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#1 - Judge Roy Bean: The West's Most Notorious Judge
In this premiere episode of WTX, host Jody Slaughter dives into the wild life of Judge Roy Bean, the self-proclaimed "Law West of the Pecos."Step into the blistering heat of the 1890s in the remote town of Langtry, Texas. Here, amidst th...
#2 - Pinkie Roden: The Bootlegger King, pt. 1
In this episode, host Jody Slaughter investigates the life of Pinkie Roden, who built a West Texas bootlegging empire in Prohibition that lasted all the way into modern times.From moonshiner to political influencer, Pinkie's story is a b...
#3 - Pinkie Roden: The Bootlegger King, pt. 2
In this episode, part 2 of a series, host Jody Slaughter investigates the life of Pinkie Roden, who built a West Texas bootlegging empire in Prohibition that lasted all the way into modern times.From moonshiner to political influencer, P...
#4 - The Lost Gold of West Texas
Join us as we explore the mysterious legend of Sublett's Lost Gold. Hidden deep within the rugged Guadalupe Mountains, this elusive treasure has captivated the imaginations of treasure hunters and adventurers for over a century. Discover the in...
#5 - Grapes on the Caprock: The Texas Wine Revolution
In this episode we explore how Texas, once considered an unlikely place for wine production, has risen to become a significant player on the global wine stage. Through the stories of pioneers, scientists, and modern-day winemakers, we trace the...
#6 - Tascosa: Ghosts and Outlaws, pt. 1
Join us as we uncover the wild rise of Tascosa, the frontier town that became the hub of lawlessness in the Texas Panhandle. In this first of two episodes, we focus on the town's early days, from violent sheep wars to its transformation into a ...
#7 - Tascosa: Ghosts and Outlaws, pt. 2
Last time, we experienced the wild rise of Tascosa, the frontier town that became the hub of lawlessness in the Texas Panhandle. Now, in part two, we see Tascosa at its peak, and the random violence that helped to fill Boothill Cemetery, conclu...